Bringing a fresh touch of the Americas to downtown Indooroopilly, Nantucket Kitchen & Bar has opened on Station Road in part of the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre revamp.
You have to go outside the centre to find it along with Harajuku Gyoza and Nitrogenie. Ole and others will also open in this strip.
It's a venture from TJ and Kim Peabody with Paul McGivern as General Manager and Chris Sell as Executive Chef and the look is sleek and polished but with plenty of comfort. Think clean white walls, soft upholstered, comfy dark wood chairs, a separate double-sided bar, divided dining areas, and a private dining room.
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| Paul McGivern is Nantucket's General Manager. |
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| Chris Sell is heading up the kitchen. |
The exceptionally long kitchen was personally designed by Paul McGivern who looked a little nostalgic when he described it as his 'dream kitchen'. Some of you will remember Paul from Restaurant Manx or even his days behind the stoves at Tognini's. Chris Sell is looking very comfortable in the kitchen.
TJ Peabody says the menu has been developed with a strong selection of classics that reflect a Nantucket touch - think crisp onion rings with house made chipotle; crab cakes with fennel slaw; chopped salad with a tangy mustard vinaigrette; and a thick chocolate brownie with milk chocolate sauce and white chocolate ice cream. I only sampled a coffee - smooth an rich - and will be heading back to dine soon.
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| There's a wine wall as befits TJ Peabody's Craggy Range winery connections. |
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| Attention local businesses - a private dining area with AV facilities is available. |
If that's not enough to sent your heart racing, the aroma from the charcoal oven which churns out bacon-wrapped meat loaf, grass fed sirloin or dry-aged rib on the bone from the Diamantina, thick Tassie lamp chops and for the vegos, ricotta and kale cannelloni, will.
Don't expect the vary to change much. Apart from a specials list that will change daily or weekly as the chef desires, the menu is set to be finessed by the kitchen and enjoyed by dinners.
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| Is that the latest Gourmet Traveller I see on the reading rack? Score! |
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| There's plenty to amuse the kids here with an activity/colouring sheet and camera menu to browse. |
Another point of difference about this restaurant is it's designed for customer comfort and enjoyment.You'll find the latest magazines in racks around the bench tables and the toilet facilities are elegant and spacious. So not what you expect to find in a shopping centre.
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| The coffee is a very smooth house blend - probably much better than you'd actually get in the real Nantucket! |
Best tip: Head there for lunch or even a coffee just to use the toilet.
Bottom line: Entrees are around $22, Mains around $32 and desserts $14.
Kerry Heaney