Welcome back to my unsolicited monthly round-up of newly opened restaurants, a cocktail special, chefs to take note of, where to stay and venues you’ll find us making a reservation or two. 

Enjoy!

NEW SOUTH WALES

Jana restaurant and a rooftop bar to open at QT Newcastle this month

QT Newcastle has announced the launch of a new modern Australian Jana. At the helm is Massimo Speroni, from award-winning restaurant Bacchus in Brisbane bringing with him a wealth of Michelin star experience having worked at San Domenico in Imola, Italy, and Café le Paillotes in Pescara. They’ll also be launching the QT Rooftop, featuring Newcastle’s largest library of Japanese Whisky overlooking stunning ocean views.

Ace Hotel opens Its doors

Ace Hotel has swung open its doors in Sydney’s Surry Hils. The 257-room hotel marks its very first home in the Southern Hemisphere for the acclaimed hotel chain. In typical Ace Hotel fashion, the ground floor is home to a vibrant lobby, bar and lounge, a ground-floor restaurant LOAM, and a cafe and bar.

Blaq Truffle Lunch In The Blue Mountains

To celebrate the arrival of truffle season in the Blue Mountains, Blaq restaurant at Kyah Boutique Hotel will be hosting a decadent three-course lunch showcasing premium local truffles in June. Available for just one day, Executive Chef Mate Herceg has created a menu featuring three expressions of truffle with optional matched NSW wines.

Feather and Bone opens in Waverley

Feather and Bones are opening in Waverly and it’s not your typical butcher. It’s one part ethical butchery, part takeaway food joint and part tiny event space for classes, farmer talks, tastings and anything else that gives Feather and Bones a chance to celebrate great food and regenerative agriculture.

Mezcal Masterclasses at Casa Merida

Mezcal is having a big moment, it’s the fastest-growing spirit category around the globe and no longer just the smoky cousin of tequila. For the month of June and July, Milpa Collective’s Potts Point-based venue Casa Merida has announced a series of Mezcal Masterclasses hosted by Oaxaca-based mezcal expert Lucas Fongarnan. The intimate masterclasses will cover all bases and look to share the experience of mezcal production and its sensory journey to the heart of Mexico.

Andriano Zumbo lauches QT High Tea

QT Sydney has launched high tea with Mr Macaron, Adriano Zumbo. The colourful and quirky high tea will focus heavily on desserts, such as pralines, passionfruit tarts and of course, Mr Zumbo’s macarons along with lobster rolls, Ceaser sliders and goat’s cheese tarts.

A 99-year-old pub reopens in Darlinghurst

The Strand, a 99-year-old pub in the heart of Sydney’s Darlinghurst is set to celebrate a new era of the roaring twenties, as it transforms into a four-level dining and hotel precinct. A modern French-inspired bistro on the ground is the first open for the venue. The Strand Bistro draws its cues from turn-of-the-century Paris, with a modern laidback interpretation of French cuisine.

New Turkish Inspired plant-based restaurant in Sydney’s CBD

Australian Turkish chef, Somer Sivrioğlu has opened his first plant-based restaurant, in Sydney’s CBD. Maydanoz, a 100-seat Aegean Turkish coast inspired bar and restaurant paying homage to the region’s casual vegetable-driven meze bars with meat secondary to the main event. On the menu expect dishes such as house-made dips, dolmas, sarmas and plates showcasing seasonal vegetables.

Bondi’s Da Orazio opens Ori’s Bar next door

The team behind Bondi’s Da Orazio has opened Ori’s bar next door. It is a classic Italian bar offering pre-batched cocktails, an all-new snack menu and a jukebox loaded with the 80s and disco tracks. It’s the sort of space where people can choose to have a quick drink and a snack before dinner, a nightcap or graze the entire Da Orazio menu.

Celebrate VIVID with a stay at Little National

Stay within walking distance of all the VIVID fun at Little National in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The New York style boutique accommodation is offering charming inclusions such as complimentary spiced mulled wine served on the rooftop, making it the ideal location to celebrate the fusion of creativity, innovation, and technology of 200+ events within walking distance.

VICTORIA

A new Nordic-inspired restaurant in a heritage-listed Melbourne building

Melbourne is set to welcome a Nordic-inspired restaurant in Melbourne’s 130-year old listed Olderfleet on Collins Street. The restaurant’s name, Freyja is inspired by Norse mythology and celebrates the golden-teared ‘goddess of contrast’ inspiring the design and concept direction. Heading up the kitchen is Michelin-star Chef Jae Bag,  who has relocated from Norway’s Re-naa, to bring a taste of the Nordic cuisine down under. 

Melbourne Central Voco opens

Voco Melbourne Central opens in the heart of Melbourne city at 374 Lonsdale Street, located in part of the new 380 Melbourne skyscraper, with sweeping views of the skyline and surrounded by iconic laneways. The 252 room property feels like you’re in an urban enclave with floor-to-ceiling windows, boasting design pieces from local creators and local producers and ingredients from the hotel’s restaurant and bar. The ‘tread lightly’ philosophy sits at the heart of the brand’s DNA, with the hotel’s pledge for more sustainable stays running throughout the guest experience from bedding to the bar.

Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar Opens In Melbourne CBD

AC Hotel Opens in Melbourne

AC Hotel has opened in Southbank, it’s the first of the AC Hotels by Marriott debut in Australia. Located in Southbank the hotel features 205 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, signature dining, and an infinity pool and cocktail bar with sweeping views of the city skyline.

A neighbourhood Modern Chinese restaurant opens in Melbourne

The team behind Firebird and New Quarter have launched Moonhouse, a restaurant located on Carlisle Street and Nelson Street in Balaclava. The heritage-listed art deco building will be filled with familiar flavours they’re used to. Think Hainanese chicken club Sandwich, supreme fried rice and dishes like a wok-tossed soft shell crab with garlic, black bean and pepper.

Green Cup Opens A Northside Carlton Store

Queensland

The Langham, Gold Coast is set to open later this month

Beaches of the Gold Coast will soon welcome The Langham Gold Coast to its shores. The impressive grand 339-room luxury hotel stands between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with it being the first development with direct beachfront access to be built on the Gold Coast in more than 30 years.

A new pool club opens at The Star Gold Coast

Isoletto, a luxe new pool club has just opened at The Star Gold Coast. The new poolside oasis on level six of The Star has been built with that sun-kissed lifestyle in mind. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy delicious island-inspired cocktails and light refreshments while enjoying sweeping views of the Gold Coast skyline.