Whether you want to dine overlooking one of Brisbane’s most famous landmarks, escape to the wine country in Adelaide, or revel in Melbourne’s immaculately accessorised fashion district, the following venues offer a unique setting for your next business event. By Tiana Templeman
ROOFTOP AT QT, MELBOURNE
Showcasing views of the spectacular Melbourne city skyline, The Rooftop at QT is the perfect destination for a sizzling summer soirée. With space for up to 185 guests, the split indoor/outdoor space evokes glamour and passion, accompanied by a cutting edge soundtrack of new disco and house tunes. Hand crafted cocktails are a specialty with the likes of the QT Rooftop G&T, featuring elderflower quinine syrup and cucumber sparkling water, offering a twist on classic favourites. The innovative drinks menu also features local wines, house made tonics and shared cocktails.
To accompany the cocktail selection, The Rooftop at QT serves moreish bar bites, including minced Thai beef on toast, with green chilli, sweet basil and sambal, scotch quail eggs wrapped in Wagyu beef and mortadella, and polenta crumbed onion rings with squid ink mayo. Guests can gather in groups on contemporary outdoor furniture amidst a colour palette of olive green, red and matte black or head indoors to network with colleagues at the long, lavish bar.
Fred's Head Chef Danielle Alvarez believes food can bring people together. "I don't think we communicate with each other as well as we used to. I like to use food as a way to counteract that." Her philosophy is reflected in the 50 seat dining room, a cosy place accented with heavy linens, old timbers, candles and vintage breadboards, that lends itself to lively conversation and good times.
Fred's features some of Australia's best produce, such as heirloom vegetables from the Blue Mountains, juicy dry-aged T-bone and oysters plucked fresh from the sea. Chef Alvarez also makes her own bread, butter, pasta and charcuterie. With a focus on elevating perfect produce using old-world food preparation techniques such as cooking on a wood-fired hearth and freestanding Tuscan grills, this Paddington restaurant lets the ingredients inform the menu.
Groups can opt for a bespoke multi-course or degustation menu, with individual wines matched to each course. Sip vintages from the 120-strong list as you pass around share plates of beef tartare with Vietnamese coriander, chilli and kaffir lime or wild kingfish sashimi. Mains are sophisticated yet rustic, with dishes such as Moorlands lamb served with roasted heirloom tomatoes or a contemporary take on chicken Maryland. Crowd pleasing desserts such as macadamia meringue with strawberry sorbet and rose crème and rich chocolate pot de crème, served with poached cherries, provide a sweet finish.
Hardy's Verandah is located at Mount Lofty House, a heritage building with a legendary reputation for socialising and entertaining. Built by parliamentarian Arthur Hardy in 1852, the stately venue was renowned for Gatsby-esque parties where anything could happen (and quite often did). These days the architecturally stunning building is widely regarded as one of South Australia's top dining rooms.
Hardy's Verandah is presided over by acclaimed chef Wayne Brown, who honed his skills in the hatted and Michelin star kitchens of acclaimed Australian and international restaurants such as Quay in Sydney and Waku Ghin in Singapore. The only thing rivalling the breathtaking country views is his accomplished degustation menus featuring dishes such as pepper glazed marron and the sweet and sour buzz of soured plum, custard crème and citrus wizz fizz. Groups can dine in historic cellars, the original dining room or verandah rooms overlooking the valley, complete with an open fire. With stately surrounds overlooking rolling green hills and produce plucked from an on-site farm, it is hard to believe Hardy's Verandah is just 15 minutes from the Adelaide CBD.
Otto takes river city views to new heights with polished service and a menu that celebrates southern Italian cuisine. Overlooking the Story Bridge and historic copper dome of Customs House, this sleek restaurant looks to the past while keeping an eye firmly on the future. Hot pink spinning Les Danseueses woven felt fans which originally featured in Venice's biennale highlight the dining room which features materials such as slatted timber walls and gleaming naval brass - a nod to Brisbane's history as a bustling river port.
Here you will find classic Italian fare such as gnocchi with braised rabbit and zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and pecorino sitting comfortably alongside more contemporary dishes like black and white long pasta tossed with Moreton Bay Bugs, cherry tomatoes, chilli and basil. For something more substantial, there is an outstanding Byron Bay Berkshire pork cutlet or Great Southern lamb rump, beautifully cooked over coals, served with smoked eggplant and caponata. Opt for an intimate dinner in the private dining room for up to 30 guests or book out the whole restaurant which seats 90, the choice is yours. Just make sure you leave room for a traditional yet elegant Italian dessert.
It is a dramatic arrival as you stroll along St Kilda Beach and arrive at the entrance to Stokehouse, Melbourne, one of the city's most iconic dining spots. With a dramatic gap between the top of the sand dune and the main restaurant, it appears this famous beachside venue is floating above the beach. Walk upstairs and take time to enjoy the stunning ocean view.
Secluded from the main dining room and located at the southern end of the building, the Palm Room offers a sense of privacy for intimate bespoke dinners for groups of up to 40 guests. Admire the view and sip watermelon martinis or a refreshing glass of frozè (frozen rose wine) before sitting down for dinner, with a choice of four dishes for each course, such as Cape Grim beef tartare with black garlic emulsion and toasted buckwheat, Happy Valley porchetta with lemon myrtle dashi and The Bombe, a frozen white chocolate parfait served with strawberry sorbet and crispy toasted meringue. Fresh from a multi-million dollar reimagining, this restaurant encapsulates the concept of elegant beachside chic.
