This was published 1 year ago
Australia places to eat: Six of the best tiny eateries
By Lindy Alexander
Destination restaurants don't get much better than Blume in Boonah.
BLUME, QUEENSLAND
Destination restaurants don't get much better than Blume in Boonah, a town of about 2500 people in Queensland's Scenic Rim. The restaurant seats 20, and is the epitome of refined, country dining with its pressed metal walls, billowy white sheers, polished timber floors and fresh flowers adorning every table. Owner and chef Jack Stuart creates an ever-changing, set multi-course menu featuring exquisite local produce. Expect seasonal dishes like thick batons of crispy potato hash, smoked garlic and dried vinegar; wild kingfish served with broccoli, mussels and vadouvan; or shards of pavlova layered with sheep's yoghurt, rhubarb and baked white chocolate. blumerestaurant.com.au
CHAE, VICTORIA
With a waitlist in the thousands, landing a spot at tiny Chae in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, is tricky to say the least. But owner and chef Juan Eun Chae has no plans to expand beyond six guests at each of the four weekly dining sessions. This epitomises Chae's approach: measured and intimate. Many of the dishes have been months in the making, with Chae drawing on her Korean background to make fermented condiments like soy sauce, gochujang, doenjang. This is unlike any Korean food you're ever likely to have eaten in Australia and is the ultimate slow food - deeply earthy, complex and refined.
TEMPLO, TASMANIA
It may be all black on the outside, but inside Hobart's Templo, you'll find nothing but a warm welcome. The 25-seat restaurant leans towards Italian cuisine, with homemade pasta dishes like charred sweet corn agnolotti with tarragon, and an emphasis on seasonal produce, like kingfish with buttermilk, pistachios and fennel pollen. The majority of the produce is sourced from within a 50-kilometre radius of the restaurant. and as much as possible is made in-house (like the ricotta, Stracciatella and chinotto). It's the kind of small neighbourhood restaurant you'd be delighted to stumble upon in any city in the world. templo.com.au
LOLA, NEW SOUTH WALES
From the pillowy Ballina prawn cocktail milk buns to the golden semolina crumpet with taramasalata and egg yolk, the dishes at 30-seater Lola are exceptional. Chef-owners and life partners Rosa Diaferia and Olivia Serrano set out to create a diverse and inclusive restaurant that celebrates nonconformity and uniqueness. Drawing on their Italian and Spanish backgrounds, the menu is a playful and inventive exploration of how to successfully blend European flavours with Australian produce. A recent success? An Australian black forest cake with pops of native raspberry. loladining.com.au
JOY, QUEENSLAND
With space for just 10 diners, you're guaranteed a front row seat at Joy. Perch at the long, stone counter with the vibrant mural behind you and get ready to be fed by chef and owner Sarah Baldwin. This is fine dining, Fortitude Valley style. The menu changes regularly, but anticipate an omakase experience where Baldwin may serve silky corn and smoked caviar chawanmushi (Japanese custard); buttery poached prawns with fermented chilli; venison tartare spring rolls followed by Mont Blanc with roasted artichoke caramel instead of the traditional chestnut puree. joyrestaurant.com.au
NAVI, VICTORIA
Credit: Ed Sloane
When Julian Hills says he designs the dishes at Navi, he isn't talking figuratively. With a fine arts degree, Hills, who is the chef and owner of the 33-seat restaurant in Melbourne's Yarraville, handmakes all the ceramic tableware himself. Hills' creativity and focus on aesthetics carries through to the menu. Over eight courses, you'll be served unique dishes like King George whiting with pipis, gooseberry and sea herbs; or rabbit with brassicas and pine mushrooms. There's a heavy emphasis on minimising waste, so at Navi's neighbouring 18-seater lounge you'll find dishes like the 'duck-lava', created with leftover duck necks, legs and wings. restaurantnavi.com.au
Lindy Alexander was a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland and Navi restaurant.
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