FOOD & BEVERAGE: WINTER WARMERS

Winter warmers

From the sophisticated and sultry to the fun and frivolous, these cosy winter venues will put the fire in your belly.

NSW

Gowings Bar and Grill, Sydney

gowingsbarandgrill.com.au

Since opening as part of QT Sydney in 2012, Gowings Bar and Grill has become a top dining institution for the city and now with renowned chef Sean Connolly at the helm, it’s entered a new era. Inspired by the elegant yet edgy steakhouses and Italian restaurants of New York, Connolly has brought back old school dining with a twist, welcoming guests with the warmth of the open grill kitchen, and roaming trolleys for tableside service, and a dash of QT’s signature quirks.

The dining room is expansive yet intimate and the space has been brightened up with a bold mix of fashion and art, lending a nod to the heritage-listed building’s department store history and Sean’s passion for punk and pop-culture. The Italian-influenced menu highlights the finest Australian beef and produce, offering a selection of hand-crafted pastas, fresh seafood and a selection of grilled meats.

On the beverage front, you’ll have your pick of more than 800 wines, while the newly renovated bar, Gilt, offers the perfect spot for a pre-or post-dinner cocktail. Available for whole venue hire, Gowings can host 120 seated or 250 cocktail. For groups of up to eight, the interactive Chef’s Table experience immerses guests in the theatrics of the kitchen as they dine.

QLD

Stanley, Brisbane

stanleyrestaurant.com.au

Housed within a heritage-listed building on the riverfront at Howard Smith Wharves, Stanley is undoubtedly one of Brisbane’s most beautiful restaurants. Inspired by Hong Kong’s Stanley Bay, this two-storey Cantonese restaurant features a colonial-meets-oriental inspired design with deep jade-coloured walls, antique light fittings and lanterns, and hand-painted murals.

Its range of gorgeous spaces includes an intimate upstairs dining room with adjoining balcony that can be booked exclusively for up to 50 guests, and a private dining room for up to 10 guests which comes complete with its own lift access, bathroom, and dedicated staff. For larger events, Stanley can cater for up to 250 when booked out entirely across all three spaces, including the expansive alfresco terrace which features a retractable roof and outdoor heaters so you can take in the Story Bridge and city views on chilly nights. For a more casual affair, there’s other group dining options available that allow you to enjoy the ambience of the restaurant alongside crowd-pleasing banquets.

SA

Five Regions, Adelaide

ovalhotel.com.au/five-regions-restaurant

Overlooking Adelaide Oval, Five Regions is a fine dining experience that celebrates the famous five wine regions surrounding Adelaide, alongside exceptional South Australian produce.

Each season, a leading winery is selected to present the best of its region, collaborating with the restaurant’s talented culinary team to create a five- or six-course degustation menu led by that region’s ingredients, landscapes and seasonality. Each dish is artfully and elegantly presented, showcasing the beauty of the ingredients which are matched to perfection by the expertly chosen wines. The restaurant is located within Oval Hotel and can cater for up to 80 guests, with music and atmosphere curated to your liking.

WA

The Flour Factory, Perth

sneakersandjeans.com.au/theflourfactory

If you’re seeking a venue that’s full of fun and colour to brighten up the gloomy winter days, you’ve found it at The Flour Factory. Dubbed Perth’s most instagrammable spot thanks to its impressive rainbow-coloured ceiling art installation, this historic former flour mill boasts the city’s largest gin collection and a variety of dynamic events spaces. The upstairs Factory Room is a versatile space with its own private entrance, exclusive bar and full AV facilities, accommodating up to 120 seated or 160 cocktail.

The ground floor Main Bar can be hired out exclusively for up to 300 pax, or for up to 550 when combined with upstairs. Intimate gatherings of up to 24 seated or 80 cocktail are best accommodated in The Sherry, which is part indoor lounge, part outdoor terrace, and has its own lift access, bar and bathroom.

TAS

Landscape Restaurant and Grill, Hobart

landscaperestaurant.com.au

Landscape Restaurant and Grill combines its passion for art, music and exceptional food to tantalise all the senses. Located in the heart of Hobart’s Hunter Street waterfront precinct, the restaurant collaborates on music with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and takes its inspiration from artworks of the Tasmanian colonial landscape, painted by renowned artist John Glover.

A selection of these prize-winning pieces adorns the walls of the Private Dining Room, which can host up to 22 guests for predinner canapés followed by a three-course set menu with the option of matched wines. Full buyout can cater to 70 seated for a six-course degustation. The seasonally-led menus showcase the best of Tasmanian ingredients, while the Asado Grill is fired up with sherry, bourbon or port casks to lend a unique flavour to the dishes.

NZ

The Libraries at The Hotel Britomart, Auckland

thehotelbritomart.com/thelibraries

Featuring a contemporary design that weaves in layers of history and local art, these four elegant yet homely spaces at The Hotel Britomart deliver warm service and personalised food and wine experiences. Adorned with artworks and plush furnishings, The Lounge offers a cosy space for gatherings around its beautiful bar.

]Oozing rustic charm, the Papuke Room is a flexible space that can host seated dinners or cocktail functions for up to 50 guests. The Wine Library features a floor-to-ceiling wall lined with wine bottles and a stunning hand-crafted glass chandelier over a central kauri table, which can seat up to 12guests for exclusive wine tastings and private dinners. Finally, the Chef’s Library is a private dining room offering unique and interactive dining experiences for up to eight guests.