It’s a bit of a sleeper, a Brisbane restaurant that serves award winning food but quietly with more than a dollop of old fashioned charm and service.
I’m talking about the Walnut Restaurant and Bar, tucked away under the 1970s style arches of Royal on the Park in Alice Street in Brisbane's CBD.
Amongst the rich wood tones, sparkling silver and gleaming silver you’ll find more than a few talented chefs including award winners Cobi Riethmuller and Matthew Clark who received two silver and one bronze medal in the 2013 Nestle Golden Chefs Hat competition.
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| Cobi Riethmuller and Matthew Clark |
Held at Sydney’s William Angliss Institute and sponsored by Nestle Professional and the Australian Culinary Federation, the Golden Chef’s Hat awards are ‘the only national chef competition dedicated to the development of young chefs and apprentices’.
Chef Cobi and apprentice Matthew’s creations were:
The Bronze winning Entrée – Tom Yum of seared Wimmera duck breast with duck boudin, braised pakchoy, and asparagus – a full flavoured but not overpowering combination highlighting the rich flavours of the duck and the fresh vegetable accents.
The Silver winning Main Course – Milly Hill lamb three ways: Ragout of knuckle with Roma style potato gnocchi; Pan roasted rump with a puree of purple yam and sautéed rainbow spinach; Presse of silverside with braised leeks and gremolata.
An interesting dish with the gnocchi arriving looking much like a marrow bone and well developed flavours throughout all three styles.
The Silver winning dessert –
Pistachio Delice atop a sable biscuit with honey figs, chocolate mousse and caramel sauce.
A deliciously smooth combination with the bitter chocolate mousse a good foil for the sweet figs and caramel sauce.
You’ve got a chance to taste silver and bronze with this menu and support two young chefs at the Walnut Restaurant from October 16 to 31.
Walnut Restaurant
Best tip: Parking onsite at Royal on the Park is the best kept secret in Brisbane.
Bottom line: This menu is only on for two weeks, don't miss out.
Kerry Heaney
Disclaimer: Royal on the Park is an advertiser on Ed+bK