Ploos – Sydney, NSW
Tucked away within a row of heritage-listed warehouses in Campbell's Cove, and just three metres from the water, you'll find Ploos. The newest venture from chef and restaurateur Peter Conistis, Ploos (which translates to 'sails' in Greek) is an interpretation of South Aegean cuisine.Peter who is the mastermind behind the likes of Alpha, Omega, Eleni’s and Cosmo, is widely regarded as the pioneer of Grecian cuisine in Australia. Ploos will focus on cuisines from Crete and Cyprus. Menu highlights include regional seafood dishes, the Conistis take on the Greek Nissiotiki salad, along with signature dishes such as flavoursome zucchini fritters fused with eggplant hommous, blackened chickpeas and molasses, a salty-sweet halloumi tart with rock lobster and grilled leeks, braised calamari (stuffed dolma style), and grilled chicken served with carob, black figs, anthotyri and heirloom tomatoes. Rounding out the menu are rustic desserts including Kaltsounia – a Cretan style ricotta tart drizzled with orange blossom honey and raki ice cream.
The extensive wine list offers local and new world Australian wines with imports from Cyprus and Crete. Dine inside among the Aegean ambience, heritage sandstone walls, paired with unique green and burgundy marble details, polished gold finishings and hanging calico fabric installations, or sit in the outdoor bar and dine alfresco in the white, deeply set lounging sofas.
Bay 7, 7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks | Find out more.
Bonnie – Wahgunyah, VIC
With All Saints Estate as its backdrop, Bonnie, is the brainchild of Eliza, Nick and Angela Brown. Once the artisan food store Indigo Food Co, Bonnie is the latest addition to the Brown family's food and wine businesses, showcasing Rutherglen at its best: All Saints Estate, Terrace Restaurant, St Leonards Vineyard, Mount Ophir Estate and Thousand Pound Wine Bar.
Set within the old bottling building at All Saints Estate, originally designed by Philip Cox in the early 1960s, Bonnie sits within large steel double doors that open on both sides of the building, the interior brings the outside in, offering guests views of All Saints Estate and shiraz vines planted almost 30 years ago. Outside the restaurant diners can enjoy a selection of wines from All Saints Estate and St Leonards Vineyard, selected by winemaker Nick Brown, on the circular terrace by the edge of the lake.
205 All Saints Road, Wahgunyah | Find out more.
KAIJU! Cantina – Huntingdale, VIC
Expect all your favourite brews on tap including, KAIJU! Krush Tropical Pale Ale and the Aftermath Double IPA, and for non-beer drinkers there's a curated list of local wines, spirits and non-alcoholic options. On site you'll also find a six hectolitre brew kit for limited edition and one-off brews.
For adventurous diners, the must-try on the menu is the cheeseburger pizza with all the trimmings, San Marzano tomato, American cheese, red onion, ground beef, pickles and mustard.
27 Hume Street, Huntingdale | Find out more.
Saint & Scholar – Barossa Valley, SA
The Adelaide Hills winery Saint & Scholar is opening a pop-up cellar door at sister winery, Kaesler, in the Barossa Valley. Previously home to the Kaesler Steakhouse, the cellar door has had a facelift, with a paint job to include murals of founders Stephen Dew (the saint) and Reid Bosward (the scholar).Guests can enjoy wines by the glass, or bottle, in the contemporary Aspect Lounge, or head out to the Playground to relax in the hanging egg chairs and lounges. Visit the Bugs, Beetles and Bees bistro, to learn about the amphitheatre-shaped vineyard, viticultural practices and regenerative farming. All your favourite wines from the Graduates Collection, Honour Roll and Masters Series are available at the temporary cellar door.
Barossa Valley Way, Nuriootpa | Find out more.
Top image credit: Bonnie
