RAISE THE BAR
Bar stools are hot property right now
with diners ditching traditional table
settings to opt for a pew with a view
instead. Venues such as Carlton Wine
Room and Bar Margaux in Melbourne,
and Poly and the newly opened
Ragazzi in Sydney, all offer perfect
places to perch with a glass of vino
and a selection of snacks. It’s an
unpretentious and fun way to dine,
particularly if you’re a table for one.Tasmaniacontinuestobethe
heartlandoffirewater,butnow
therestofAustraliais joiningin
thewhiskyparty.Sydney’sArchie
Roseis settoreleasenewwhisky
variations,whileMelbourne’s
Starwardcontinuestogainglobal
accolades.Barsdevotedtothe
liquidgoldremainpopular,too.WASTE-FREE ZONE
Nosetotail,fintoscale,roottostem.The
zero-wasteapproachis gainingmomentum
inrestaurantsandhomes– andit’sa positive
thingforboththeearthandthewallet.AtO.MyinBeaconsfield,Victoria,
absolutelynothingis thrownaway.Oneoftheirregulardishes,zero-waste
pumpkin,usesthewholevegetable:pumpkinfleshis driedandmilledinto
flourtomakepasta,seedsareroastedandturnedintopraline,andthe
skinis pickledandsemi-dried,andusedwiththeseedstomakebiscotti.Green living
Minimal food miles, plant-based eating, flexitarianism... The categories
come a mile a minute, but it’s all about fostering more considered sourcing,
cooking and eating, for the earth and its future. GT will be dedicating a
special issue to sustainability next month so keep your eyes peeled.Chefs without borders
Bolsteringa chef’snamehastraditionallybeenallabouttheir
associationwitha singlerestaurant.ButasInstagramconnectsand
fostersrelationshipsacrosskitchens,we’reseeingcookscropping
upallovertheshop.ThinkAnalieseGregory(formerlyofFranklin)
andJoBarrett(Oakridge)joiningforcestoruntheFlindersWharf
restaurantinTasmania(28Februaryto1 March),andCicciaBella’s
AlexHuxtableandHartsyard’sTomBromwichtakingoverthekitchen
atSydney’sDearSainteÉloise(inJanuaryandFebruaryrespectively).
Collaborationis kingandthekeytovenueskeepingthingsfresh,
whilechefschallengethemselvesinnewenvironments.WHISKY
BUSINESS
maniacontinuestobet58 GOURMET TRAVELLER
PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS (TASMANIA), BEN DEARNLEY (GREEN BOWL) & GARETH SOBEY (BAR MARGAUX).