Debuting in the Brisbane Good Food Guide with a hat just weeks after opening, Otto Ristorante is a Brisbane offshoot from Sydney-based Fink Group sharing a stable with Quay and Bennelong.
With this sort of pedigree, it’s no surprise that the package here is top class. There’s wow factor in the views and fit out, excellent professional service and a finely tuned menu making it a CBD hotspot for savvy dinners.
It's also an opportunity to check out the new 480 Queen Street building which offers multiple food options and a new look at Brisbane's river landscape.
The sleek, modern décor certainly has some eye-catching features. If you can drag your eyes away from the pink and purple fans that look like an oversized hat that your grandmother or earth sister might wear, there’s always the clever wood screening to peruse and the open kitchen for visual entertainment.
Don’t let any of this take your mind too far away from the important business of deciding what to eat, because that’s not an easy task. The menu is filled with inviting choices including the pink and red delights of snapper crudo with grapefruit, chilli, pomegranates and red vein sorrel or the salty/sweet/textured combo of sardines with fennel, muscatels, pine nuts and crumbs of brioche.
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| Fried Sardinian globe artichokes |
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| Otto's charcuterie platter has mortadella, San Daniele proscuitto, wagyu bresaola, hand-rolled grisini |
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| Tajima wagyu short rib at Otto |
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| Otto's butterflied spatchcock with pancetta, potato, and char-grilled rosemary. |
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| Woodside goats curd, pane carasau, truffle honey |
The smoked ham hock carbonara with pecorino, black and white pasta with bugs and cherry tomatoes and braised rabbit gnocchi with gremolata.
It’s pleasing to see some local produce starring on the menu with Noosa Reds tomatoes, Byron Bay Berkshire pork cutlet, and Moreton Bay bugs all getting a place.
For a quick Otto taste, head to Bar Otto for breakfast, lunch or after work for a light menu of focaccias, salads, and soups with the Italian influence showing through in a range of arancini. No reservations required.
If you can’t live without more Otto in your life, there is a solution. Otto has their own line of olive oil (I was told it’s from New South Wales), balsamic and even pasta and sauces that you can take home.
Otto Brisbane
Ed+bK rating: 4/5 stars.
Otto wears its hat well.
Best tip: Lunch or dinner, the premium table is in the pointy end with uninterrupted views over the Story Bridge. Weather dependent, the outdoor terrace is a very acceptable second choice.
Bottom line: entrees $27, pasta $30 or $40, mains $42
Where else: e'cco, Urbane, and Esquire are all within walking distance.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK dined as a guest of Brisbane Marketing celebrating the launch of Dish, the Brisbane City Council's guide to CBD food.