The Emerald Peacock
The Emerald Peacock is the amazing new venture from the people who brought you The Red Hummingbird. The Emerald Peacock boasts a cosy cocktail lounge, a restaurant serving simple tapas and wood-fired pizzas and a candlelit rooftop adorned with recycled wood and natural tones.
It’s retro, eclectic and decadent – and it’s also very Melbourne. For more information on this amazing venue check out their website!
Glass Brasserie - Hilton Hotel
An Australian first for hotel restaurants, glass brasserie combines the internationally acclaimed interior design of New York designer Tony Chi and the exceptional culinary expertise of highly awarded local restaurateur Luke Mangan.
The 240-seat restaurant provides guests and Sydneysiders with an unprecedented dining experience in the heart of the city offering simplicity, quality and consistency in all aspects of food, wine and service.
glass is headed by highly awarded Sydney restaurateur chef Luke Mangan who travelled and tasted through Lyon and Paris to devise the exquisite French style cuisine which he defines as “clean and light, with a contemporary twist.” The restaurant will include an ever-changing choice of Sydney’s abundant local produce from the crustacean bar, the open-plan patisserie and the kitchen theatre, which is home to a chef’s table.
As the creative force behind stylish spots around the world such as Asiate in New York, SPOON in Hong Kong, yè shanghai in Shanghai and Maduro bar in Tokyo, Tony Chi sought to create a space for glass characterised by invisible design. The restaurant features a 13 metre floor to ceiling glass wall which frames a captivating view of the Queen Victoria Building.
With an emphasis on earthy colours and warm tones bathed in natural light, the restaurant reflects the vibrant, energetic nature of Sydney by day, whilst at night the warmth of the interiors and high ceilings offer a stunning cityscape location.
The three-dimensional ‘wine experience’ at Hilton Sydney reflects the best of Australian and international blue chip and boutique wines. The team have assembled a selection of over 10,000 expertly chosen bottles and over 1000 wines were tasted in the selection process.
Maze Dining & Grill: Melbourne
Gordon Ramsay, one of the world’s most popular chefs, is set to provide a further boost to the culinary options at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne.
The list of fine dining options at Crown already includes Nobu, Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool, Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons and the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel.
Ramsay’s ‘Maze’ restaurant will open in early 2010 in Crown’s third hotel - which is currently under construction.
Maze, which is in operation in New York, London and Prague, offers diners an Asian influence on French cuisine. Its London version won Best New Restaurant at the renowned ‘San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ Awards in 2007 and it has also received one michelin star.
Crown’s CEO, David Courtney said in a statement that the entry of Ramsay was part of their strategy to bring “some of the world’s best dining experiences to Crown and Melbourne”.
“We’re thrilled to announce the exciting news that Gordon Ramsay will open a Maze restaurant at Crown,” he advised. “Gordon Ramsay and Maze fit extremely well within the positioning of our new hotel as Maze has become renowned for being stylish, contemporary and providing an innovative food offer.”
Potato Head Jakarta
Located in Pacific Place Mall, Potato Head is one of the hippest cafes you’ll find in Jakarta. It has tables and sofas outside, a challenge for Jakarta considering the pollution/humidity and warmth, but surprisingly, it is actually nice to hang outside for once.
Of course, if staying away from airconditioning scares you, there are also tables inside and that would even give you a reason to check the cool vintage industrial design of the place. Good reputation for food but rather expensive: I had the Wagyu Beef Burger, which was ok but I paid over Rp150,000 for it plus the drink.
To be honest, I don’t really see what all the fuss is about this restaurant. I enjoy the creative interior and the average ++ food, but it’s not the best restaurant in Jakarta by far. Just come get a drink after shopping in Pacific Place maybe, and then move somewhere else for eating.
