Everyone deserves to treat themselves every now and then. If you've never experienced the excellent food and impeccable table service that is characteristic of fine dining, start saving your money and make a booking at one of these Brisbane venues.
Alchemy Restaurant (175 Eagle Street, Brisbane)
I'm sure that there's a joke here about everything the chefs touch turning to gold – or perhaps that one would need the Midas touch to afford to eat here. Both would be true; the food at Alchemy is incredible and you get what you pay for. Save your pennies or get your partner to bring you here for your birthday – you won't pay less than $100 per person for entree, main and dessert.
Foodies will be excited to learn that Alchemy recently introduced a liquid nitrogen gastronomic menu.
Anise (697 Brunswick Street, New Farm)Although not exactly a five star restaurant, the food here is five star quality. Anise is a small European bistro with a French inspired menu. If you've ever wanted to try
escargot, this is your place. Also on the menu are degustation options, decadent desserts, premium champagne and an extensive selection of absinthe.
Jellyfish (Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane)The name of this restaurant gives away two important aspects – that it is located by the Brisbane River and that it serves seafood. The menu here is short and simple. Customers have a choice of four different entrees and five different mains, all seafood, all fresh. Local produce is prepared using Asian ingredients like lemon grass, chilli, ginger and soy.
Restaurant Two (2 Edward Street, Brisbane)Restaurant Two takes an elegant and classic approach to both its appearance and its food. From the outside, this iconic Brisbane venue is simple and discrete. The menu, which offers the usual entrees, mains, desserts and cheeses as well as a seasonal degustation course, is similarly uncomplicated and offers many traditional favourites like sweet corn soup, grain fed beef and chocolate fondant.
Wilsons Boathouse (4 Trafalgar Street, Manly and Hercules Street, Hamilton)You don't have to go into the city to enjoy gourmet dining by the water. Manly Harbour and Portside Wharf are the stunning locations for Wilsons Boathouse, a mainly seafood restaurant. The menus are slightly different at the two locations to take advantage of the local produce. If you're not into seafood, you should eat somewhere else – or you could try the steak and chicken meals.
