Following another successful Good Food Month, the Good Food Guide Awards presented by Vittoria and Citi have swept through Brisbane to celebrate the best of the best across numerous categories, including “Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year” and “Bar of the Year”. Hats have also been given (or taken away) as the authoritative body has assessed the performance of the city’s top dining spots.
Jerome Batten walked away from the recently held ceremony as the big winner of the night, seeing his pocket-sized Guage named as Queensland’s Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year, lauded for its progressive approach to Brisbane’s dining scene and exciting, unpretentious food. Meanwhile, Fink Group’s (Quay, Bennelong) much talked about Otto Ristorante has been named Best New Restaurant, no doubt acknowledging its beginnings on the path to become a real force on the city’s dining scene.
Other awards includ Sommelier of the Year, which went to Ian Trinkle of Aria Brisbane, and Young Chef of the Year, awarded to Angus Baker of Esquire. See below for the full list.
In terms of hats, there has been a big increase of ratings for Brisbane restaurants. For the very first time, two Brisbane dining spots have received a three hat rating, while several restaurants have jumped from one to two hats. Urbane and Esquire are now three hated establishments; E’Cco Bistro and Gerard’s Bistro are now sitting at two hats each; Restaurant II has regained its lost hat; and fresh new venues Nickel Kitchen & Bar, The Wolfe, and Otto Ristorante have all been awarded one hat each.
Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year
Guage
Best New Restaurant
Otto Ristorante
Bar of the Year
The Gresham
Best Bar Food
Anise
Best Wine List
Black Bird Bar and Grill
Cafe of the Year
Pearl Cafe
Santa Vittoria Regional Restaurant of the Year
Nu Nu (Palm Cove)
Cheap Eat of the Year
Taro’s Ramen
Sommelier of the Year
Ian Trinkle (Aria Brisbane)
Young Chef of the Year
Angus Baker (Esquire)
Citi Chef of the Year
Ben Williamson (Gerard’s Bistro)
Citi Service Excellence Award
Andy Buchanan (Urbane)
Vittoria Coffee Legend Award
Tony Percuoco (Tartufo)
People’s Choice Award
Indulge Cafe
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For a full list of won, lost, or regained hats click HERE.
Headline image: Otto Ristorante.
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