8 Restaurants Trying New Things in 2017

GoodFood - 8 Restaurants Trying New Things in 2017

There's certainly no shortage of quality restaurants in Australia, so you'd be forgiven for not returning to the same ones too often as you desperately try out as many new eateries as possible. But this year, several of our partner restaurants are providing new reasons to return. From decadent seafood dishes to indulgent desserts, these restaurants are constantly innovating to create texceptional experiences for their diners. Check out what's new at these 8 restaurants this year, and give yourself a reason to return – or try them for the first time.

Delight in the new 6 course degustation menu at Restaurant 98, QLD

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Whether you're after a sizzling steak, the freshest seafood or a vegetarian option, Restaurant 98 boasts an extensive a la carte menu the whole family will love. Overlooking the magnificent Fitzroy River and the Berserker Ranges, this Rockhampton favourite now offers a new 6-course degustation menu which encourages you to appreciate the art of fine dining in an unforgettable setting.

Sample a variety of the Chef's signature seafood dishes including fresh sea scallops, poached prawns and Moreton Bay bugs. The fifth course of twice cooked pork belly complimented by a medley of diced pumpkin, zucchini and apple slices is bound to impress, and a decadent honey caramel cheesecake will leave your taste buds in heaven.

Enjoy a spring-inspired menu at the Harbourfront Restaurant, NSW

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Situated on the water's edge of the magnificent Belmore Basin, Harbourside Restaurant has been showcasing the best seafood in the Illawarra for over 30 years. Using only sustainably sourced ingredients, Harbourside selects the finest seafood and produce from local suppliers so you can enjoy a fine dining experience that is unique to the region.

The talented chefs at this award-winning restaurant work hard to devise a fresh a la carte menu inspired by each season. Here's a sneak peek of what's in store for Spring:

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These snapper fillets with pumpkin purée, crispy quinoa, macadamia, samphire & coconut sauce taste even better than they look. With an extensive beverage list offering a range of regional and international wines to complement your meal, this innovative and contemporary Australian restaurant is sure to impress season after season.

Pass the pasta at Newport's new Sotto Sopra, NSW

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Eggplant Parmigiana, Riso al salto and beautiful fresh seafood are just some of the exciting dishes on offer at Sotto Sopra, the latest addition to Newport's vibrant food scene. Respected restaurateur Alessandro Pavoni and the team from his popular Two Hat Mosman venue, Ormeggio at The Spit, are offering sensational Italian food in a welcoming, informal setting.

Sotto Sopra translates to "upside-down" and you can certainly expect some inspiring modern twists on traditional Italian dishes. A fully imported, authentic wood oven will even be fired up overnight to slow cook roman style porchetta. The menu is designed to share in the true Italian way – around a table, tasting, laughing and enjoying together.

Experience Dubai's finest at The Atlantic, VIC

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Melbourne's exceptional Atlantic Restaurant has opened its doors in Dubai. Under the direction of Melbourne Executive Chef Donovan Cooke, the Dubai showcases the finest sustainable seafood catered specifically to the Dubai palate.

Located in the heart of downtown Dubai along the Souk Al Bahar's extensive waterfront promenade, the restaurant is set against the backdrop of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

To celebrate this exciting international venture, Donovan Cooke is offering Melbourne diners a taste of the Dubai experience with featured dishes from The Atlantic Dubai in their Melbourne location for a limited time.

Sustainable fine dining at Caveau, NSW

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This award-winning fine dining restaurant located in Wollongong on the South Coast of NSW has been awarded a coveted Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Hat every year since 2005 and is under new direction this year. Wollongong local Tom Chiumento and Welsh chef Simon Evans worked at Caveau together for half a decade before taking the reins this year.

The duo are eager to continue the legacy of working closely with local producers, winemakers and artisans with an emphasis on organic, sustainable practices. Caveau's modern, coastal menu changes regularly depending on the seasons and is complimented by an expertly curated wine list with a focus on small batch, organic wines from Australia and abroad.

Enjoy the flavours of Southeast Asia at Red Spice Road, VIC

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Red Spice Road offers an unparalleled Southeast Asian-style dining experience right in the heart of Melbourne. With a new menu for 2017 across all restaurants, diners will be treated to fresh, seasonal flavours across an array of dishes at Red Spice Road, Red Spice QV and Burma Lane.

To celebrate the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2017, Red Spice Road's Laneway Lunch is back for 2017. A complete communal dining experience, 200 lucky guests will be taken on a delicious culinary journey through the flavours of Southeast Asia with a specially designed banquet menu by chef John McLeay, with matching Victorian wines to be enjoyed al fresco style.

Experience the best local produce at Balfour Kitchen, QLD

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Four years in the United Kingdom helped Carla Sullivan become the innovative chef she is today, and she now brings her wealth of culinary knowledge and love of local, fresh produce to her new role as head chef at New Farm's Spicers Balfour Restaurant.

With Carla's commitment to using seasonal produce, the freshest local offerings are transformed into culinary delights within the Balfour Kitchen. The current menu boasts innovative dishes that combine Queensland produce with international flavours, such as whole-baked Queensland Murray cod with a green papaya kaffir lime pickle.

Soak up the views at The Stage Door Waterfront Restaurant, WA

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Nestled amongst the picturesque setting of Mandjar Bay, diners at The Stage Door are treated to one of the best dining experiences in Western Australia. For the award winning restaurant, 2017 brought with it a new head chef and a brand new menu. Initially recruited as Sous Chef, Jason Hopwood has brought a sense of flair and creativity to The Stage Door kitchen, and is set to approach his role as Head Chef with vigor and enthusiasm. The new menu features indulgent dishes such as twice-cooked pork belly with pulled pork croquettes, roasted ruby & golden beets, apple & celeriac remoulade and apple jus.

No better time to dine

With new chefs, new menus and new restaurants, there's plenty to explore at our partner's venues in 2017. Browse some of our other participating restaurants here to find one near you.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.