Breath of fresh air
The classic Sydney beachside neighbourhood of Manly has come of age, with new restaurants, cafés and boutiques bringing sophistication to the seaside vibe. Jump a ferry and catch the new wave.
Island treasure
Fringed by cobalt waters and dazzling beaches, Fiji’s Laucala takes luxury to a whole new level, thanks to mega investment from Red Bull baron Dietrich Mateschitz. Kendall Hill wings his way to the ultra-exclusive eco-chic destination to discover the private paradise setting a new benchmark in the South Pacific.
Chefs on the grill
We asked 65 of Australia’s leading chefs what they were throwing on the barbie this summer. Forget corn cobs and charred sausages – here’s what they had to say.
Royal wedding menus
Right royal feast: What’s on the menu at the wedding of the century? Pat Nourse pops the question to chefs of the realm.
Thomas Keller’s protégés
Two protégés of chef Thomas Keller, two very different solo ventures. Shane Mitchell reports from the USA.
January
Having staked the tomatoes, hand-pollinated the zucchini and mulched the whole garden, Stephanie Alexander is ready for a beach holiday.
The Gin Garden’s Southside
Looking for a new summer drink? The search is over.
Dishes of the Year 2010
Gourmet Traveller's state editors give you the lowdown on their favourite dishes of 2010.
Coconut recipes
There's nothing like a coconut to put you in a tropical mood, so check out our gallery for reasons why coconuts are our favourite summer treat (coconut panna cotta, anyone?).
Eggs, ham and English muffins
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for eggs, ham and English muffins.
New Christmas recipes
It’s Christmas and we’ve got all the trimmings. Check out our preview for a taste.
Happy holidays
They’re following the sun and chasing the snow, staying close to home and heading farther afield: we asked some of our favourite people from the worlds of art, sport, food, fashion and entertainment where they’re headed this summer. Pack your bags, good times await.
Compiled by Emma Ventura & Monique Lane
For more great holiday ideas, check out ninemsn Travel's Top 10 summer holiday spots.
Flinders foraging
Native ingredients are a mainstay of René Redzepi’s food. Here in Australia, he foraged for our indigenous produce.
December
On the cusp of summer, Stephanie Alexander is searching out new homes for her pimientos de Padrón plant, pumpkin vine and lettuces.
The art of the cocktail list
In our inaugural Cocktail List of the Year awards, GT cocktailian Pat Nourse raises a glass (and a highball and a flute) to the nation’s smartest collections of drinks.
Gourmet Christmas gift guide
It’s better to give than to receive. Unless, of course, the giver is armed with some seriously hot picks for lovers of food, drink and travel. Some seriously hot picks, that is, such as these.
Photography Dieu Tan Styling Kirsten Bookallil
Chipotle-glazed pork ribs (costillas de cerdo al chipotle)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for chipotle-glazed pork ribs (costillas de cerdo al chipotle) by Melbourne Mexican restaurant Mamasita.
Zona Rosa
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Galaktoboureko
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for galaktoboureko by Hellenic Republic in Melbourne.
Mover, shaker
The best thing you can take to a party, according to cocktail authority David Wondrich, is a bag of ice.
A test of mettle
Leo Schofield reports from the set of TV’s Iron Chef as three of Australia’s culinary superstars go to battle.
Got real milk?
Perhaps the most basic food known to humans, milk is now among the most processed, writes Will Studd.
November
It’s time to prune the grapevine and find space for tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers in Stephanie Alexander’s garden.
Mountain high
He’s headed to New Zealand’s Central Otago and settled into the luxurious Matakauri Lodge but Rob Ingram has a problem: he never wants to leave.
Party season recipes
It’s party season! Cocktails, finger food, desserts – check, check and check.
Calamari and green mango salad
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for calamari and green mango salad by Sailors Thai in Sydney.
Gourmet guide to Chinese barbecue
Why is the pork red, what do I do with a jellyfish, and what is that orange thing next to the chicken? Wilson Chung’s primer answers all your Chinese barbecue questions.
Dessert recipes
Planning a party and still haven't found the perfect showstopper? Our collection of brilliant desserts will have you sorted.
Sweet tart recipes
Whether it's sweet or savoury, you can't beat a tart. This time around we'll satisfy your sweet tooth with a selection of everything from mint chocolate to blueberry and kaffir lime to coconut.
Cape Lodge
REVIEW Caves Road is Margaret River’s golden mile, a scenic route studded with prize wineries (Vasse Felix, Cullen, Pierro) and Cape Lodge, a hinterland estate offering upscale accommodation and dining to match. Chef Michael Elfwing and his floor staff do much of the heavy lifting in a dated dining room beside a pretty lake. His […]
Supermaxi
REVIEW Bells and whistles? There aren’t any at this smart neighbourhood Italian restaurant, but that doesn’t stop it having the gravitational pull of a black hole. Rita Macali’s reputation spread citywide last decade with Ladro; now it’s a family affair with husband Giovanni Patane schmoozing the floor with Italian wines and Macali in the kitchen. […]
Black Cow Bistro
REVIEW The Black Cow grills on: it’s still a local favourite and it’s increasingly popular with visitors. The main reason? A list of carefully sourced cuts of aged, grass-fed beef and some consistently champion-standard char-grilling. Entrées, such as char-grilled tiger prawns in a tart sauce of lemongrass, coconut and turmeric, provide a solid overture while […]
The Lane Vineyard
REVIEW The Lane Vineyard’s welcoming staff are proud of their show-stopping Adelaide Hills views. Our entrée is an even prettier landscape: folds of ocean trout dotted with marinated roe and threaded with tiny marigolds, violets and cornflowers, while dill oil is pooled in a peak of the whitest crème fraîche. Main courses aren’t hard on […]
The Kitchen Door
REVIEW Fresh from a stint at Maxwell Wines’ Ellen Street Restaurant, chef Tom Boden has a new home among the vines and paddocks at Penny’s Hill. In keeping with the rural vibe, Boden’s food is honest, rustic and bound to sate the hungriest of appetites. A slab of slow-roasted lamb is meltingly tender and delicious […]
Spirit House
REVIEW Much more than a meal, the Spirit House is like a mini-break in steamy South East Asia. Follow the torch-lit boardwalk through lush rainforest, past the Buddha statues to a series of dining pavilions hidden around a lake. By day, birdsong provides a natural soundtrack, giving way after dark to a chorus of frogs. […]
Harrisons
REVIEW The lunchtime crowd seems oblivious to the rain and thunder causing a commotion just beyond the restaurant’s timber deck. They’re too consumed, it seems, by chef-owner Spencer Patrick’s food. In particular, his 14-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder cooked with Madras spices and topped with crisp curry leaves. The meat, which falls from the bone, is […]
Alex Kearns recipes
There’s nothing wrong with meat and three veg, Alex Kearns reckons. It’s just a matter of which meat and three veg.
Muse
REVIEW You can find Muse in the heart of NSW wine country, housed in a grand industrial building on the Hungerford Hill estate. The menu is packed with flavour, latterly leaning towards Japanese ingredients – an entrée of deer tartare with puffed buckwheat and shimeji is shaped like gyoza in pickled turnip, and seasoned with ginger, sesame […]
Char-grilled Scotch fillet with beetroot purée, horseradish cream and crisp fried onions
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for char-grilled Scotch fillet with beetroot purée, horseradish cream and crisp fried onions by The Commoner restaurant in Melbourne.
Scallops with sugna and caper breadcrumbs
From Sydney's now-closed Berta.
Meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and Fontina
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and Fontina by Flamingo restaurant in Brisbane.
Saké
REVIEW The Double Bay arm of this slick and growing franchise encapsulates the Saké ethos. The room is good-looking, as is the clientele, the beats are chilled and the well-heeled diners can order contemporary spins on Japanese favourites. Here, prawns are prepared popcorn-style and the raw tuna is done as a ceviche. The menu is […]
Bistro Molines
REVIEW There’s so much to love about this Hunter Valley favourite: the spectacular views of the vine-clad valley, the charm of the French provincial décor, and the friendly floor staff who offer a specific dose of hospitality that you just don’t get in the city. Then there’s the hearty, European-inspired food that’s a real crowd-pleaser. […]
Lucio’s
REVIEW If walls could talk, Lucio’s might need to shut down, such are the classified conversations of Sydney’s powerbrokers, media heavyweights and artists who’ve broken bread in its sunny dining rooms. Not only do they enjoy discretion among works from art royalty who’ve eaten and sketched here – John Olsen, Charles Blackman and Garry Shead, […]
Bloodwood
REVIEW There’s intensity here: in the energy levels of floor staff working a perpetually full house, in the furious output in the open kitchen from early evening, among diners packed cheek-by-jowl along the narrow terrace’s brick walls, in a drinks list big on organic wines, left-of-centre grape varieties and craft beers. But most of all […]
Stuzzichini recipes
Tantalise your tastebuds with light, savoury Italian snacks paired with sunny drops from classic Italian grapes, such as sangiovese, vermentino and barbera.
Berta
This restaurant has closed. REVIEW Jamie Irving isn’t pushing the boundaries of Italian cuisine too far at this understated bistro – he’s pushing impeccably sourced ingredients and presenting them without tricks. Tuesday nights are even dedicated to celebrating a seasonal ingredient such as chestnuts or chilli, or northern Italian cheeses, perhaps. The buzzy room befits […]
Sage Dining Rooms
REVIEW Sage has seen about as many head chefs as Canberra has sworn in prime ministers in recent years. Fortunately, the cosy fine-diner has found consistency with Thomas Heinrich at the helm. He’s pared back the menu and the reliance on foams and soils. And floor staff have dialled down the formality, if anything this […]
Cheesecake recipes
Need a creamy cheesecake treat? Then check out our cheesecake collection including mango, caramel, and plum options… mmm.
Mint recipes
Need to freshen up? Check out our mint recipes: a palate-cleansing lemon and mint sorbet, perhaps, or a thirst-quenching (slightly naughty) Raspberry and Mint Mojito.
Spring recipes
Get a taste for spring with our great collection of new recipes including soft prawn tacos with coleslaw, avocado and coriander, double-baked Gruyère soufflé, strawberry shortcake and more.
Poppy seed and ricotta cake with lemon curd
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for poppy seed and ricotta cake with lemon curd by The Pickled Sisters Cafe in Wahgunyah, Victoria.
And the winners are…
The people behind Australia’s favourite restaurants gathered at Flower Drum in Melbourne to toast the winners in Gourmet Traveller’s 2011 Restaurant Awards.
October
Multicoloured tomatoes, stripy eggplant, vibrant broad beans and heavenly celery have sprung to life in Stephanie Alexander’s garden.
Eight great Australian breaks
If your stress levels are peaking but there’s no time for an overseas jaunt, check out our pick of Australian short breaks, long on luxury yet short on travel time. You’ll be unwound before your BlackBerry knows you’re gone.
LA confidential
George Epaminondas sets his GPS for the sweeping boulevards of Los Angeles and uncovers, beyond the Tinseltown hype, a city of first-rate eateries, sensational vintage shopping and cool galleries.
The golden triangle
In the history-soaked Spanish cities of Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca, all an easy drive from Madrid, Kendall Hill finds storybook perfection in towering fortresses, gothic cathedrals and awe-inspiring castles.
Catherine Adams dessert recipes
Catherine Adams, pastry chef extraordinaire, reigns over the dessert menus of Neil Perry’s Rockpool empire. Exquisite to look at and beautiful to eat, her creations set the standard in the art of sweets.
Greenhouse, Perth recipes
As Greenhouse turns heads in Perth with its wild design, young chef Matt Stone, our Best New Talent award-winner, is making his mark with smart, fresh eats. This is food you’ll want to eat right now.
2011 GT Restaurant Awards event
Melbourne's Flower Drum was the scarlet setting this year for the Australian restaurant business's night of nights, the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards and the launch of the 2011 edition of the GT Australian Restaurant Guide.
Spatchcock with cracked wheat pilaf
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for spatchcock with cracked wheat pilaf by Ottoman Cuisine in Canberra.
White tomato soup with goat’s cheese tortellini
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for white tomato soup with goat’s cheese tortellini by Collins Kitchen at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt.
Supermaxi recipes
Asked about the inspiration for the recipes she’s put together, Rita Macali pauses, unwilling – or even unable – to give just one answer to the question. Macali, the chef who drew a legion of fans at Melbourne’s Ladro, now chef and co-owner (with partner Giovanni Patane) of Supermaxi, believes many things come together to inspire her.
Four in Hand recipes
Colin Fassnidge blends Irish guts with French polish at Sydney favourite Four in Hand, and here he uses that magic to whip up a memorable winter lunch.
2011 GT Restaurant Awards winners
We’ve downed forks, the votes are in, and we’re proud to present the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2011 Restaurant Awards.
Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Restaurant Awards: The top 100
This list has been compiled using our star ratings, moderated by our state and national editors. Every restaurant listed in the Guide should offer a winning dining experience; any that achieve a placement in the Top 100 represent another order of excellence again.
Spring recipes
Does anything say spring better than wood-smoked tomatoes, Korean fried chicken and passionfruit pavlova? Check out our slideshow for more ideas to get your spring off to a good start.
Father’s Day cake recipes
Looking for something different for dad this Father's Day? Why not try out some of our best cake recipes on him? We're pretty sure he won't mind...
September
There’s a riot of colour in Stephanie Alexander’s garden, from exotic South American tubers to purple-podded peas.
Swiss time
Richard Cooke hops a train through Switzerland and, beyond the chocolate and cuckoo clock clichés, discovers contemporary architecture, quirky museums and remote alpine spas.
Some like it haute
The Queensland capital’s dining scene has shifted up a gear, it’s popped the top and it’s revving its engine anew. Pat Nourse shares his picks of the new Brisbane eats and drinks.
Havanarama
Rum, rumba and revolution. What’s not to like about the hottest city in the Caribbean? Leo Schofield is seduced by the faded glamour and glory of Havana, a time-warped city with one foot in the past and a tentative toehold on the future.
Quay to the city
Call it the snow-egg effect. Peter Gilmore’s Sydney restaurant has been booked out for months. Now the chef with a passion for produce presents a sumptuous cookbook – and that recipe.
Izakaya Den
REVIEW Izakaya Den has all the hallmarks of an ideal Tinder venue: a tucked-away CBD location, flattering lighting, local wines and interesting cocktails. There are even barstools that fit two humans side by side with a seat at the bar primo, the tap-tap of knives a pleasant counterpoint to booming tunes. After eight years, the […]
Sarti
REVIEW Sarti is at least three places in one: a favourite of the long-lunch and night-time crowd, thanks to its open-air rooftop terrace; a modern Italian restaurant serving everyone from quiet couples to family birthday groups; and a buzzy, popular cocktail bar. The décor is 1980s Italian nightclub meets nonna’s house: think glossy black and […]
Moda
REVIEW This leafy CBD sanctuary, with its covered courtyard tables and chandelier centrepiece, embodies Spanishenergía, its ambience a clear nod to the chef-patron’s Barcelona upbringing. The flavour-driven dishes are less clearly inflected, drawing as much inspiration from Mediterranean and Queensland bounty as Catalonia. Padrón peppers fire up alongside spicy Manolete chorizo, and Queensland mackerel comes […]
Quick winter meals
Fire up the stovetop with these wintry dishes, ready for the table in less than 30 minutes.
Hanuman’s eggplant pachadi
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for eggplant pachadi by Hanuman restaurant in Darwin.
Cotoletta of free-range pork with Italian coleslaw
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for cotoletta of free-range pork with Italian coleslaw by The European restaurant in Melbourne.
Comfort food recipes
Take comfort in superb onion rings, juicy roasts, syrupy puddings and hearty Irish food.
Iceland photo gallery
Erase the images of that volcano with the unpronounceable name from your mind with the much more stunning images from our story on Iceland including web exclusives you’ll only find in our online gallery.
PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FISHER
Grand bazaar
Touring through Turkey, Leo Schofield loses himself amid an abundance of historical riches, from Istanbul’s opulent Topkapi Palace to the caves of Cappadocia and the memorials of Gallipoli.
For whom the snow calls
Golden Age style meets unspoiled snowfields at Sun Valley, Idaho – the ski resort of choice for the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Clark Gable. Pat Nourse soaks up its attractions both on-piste and off.
2011 Restaurant Awards nominees
Want a snapshot of the movers and shakers in the Australian food scene? Look no further than the nominees for this year’s GT Restaurant Awards.
August
Winter salad greens, sugarsnap peas, young beetroot and narcissus flourish this month in Stephanie Alexander’s garden.
Venetian chocolate cake with star anise gelato
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Venetian chocolate cake with star anise gelato by Assaggio Ristorante in Adelaide.
Braising recipes
Fire up the stovetop, it's time to braise. Our braising slideshow includes everything from beef, beer and dumplings and braised pork ragu to lamb neck moussaka and spatchcock with prosciutto, all of them perfect for a winter feast.
Comme Kitchen recipes
British-born chef Daniel Southern has made his mark in Melbourne turning out classic French fare with modern flair. Here’s a taste of what’s cooking at Comme.
French alpine recipes
Bask in the warmth of French Alpine-inspired food. Ideal for sharing, these rustic and robust dishes, such as squab braised with juniper or raclette with potato and goat’s cheese, are just the ticket for a winter feast – and you needn’t be in the mountains.
French roast recipes
With books such as Pork & Sons and Ripailles, Parisian author and son of a butcher Stéphane Reynaud is fast gaining a reputation for his rustic, fuss-free food. In his most recent book, Rôtis, he shares the French mastery of the oven.
Stéphane Reynaud: Filet de boeuf rôti en croûte de champignons (roast fillet of beef with mushrooms “en croûte”)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for filet de boeuf rôti en croûte de champignons (roast fillet of beef with mushrooms “en croûte”) by Stephane Reynaud.
Stéphane Reynaud’s gratin de pommes de terre boulanger (potato gratin boulanger)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for gratin de pommes de terre boulanger (potato gratin boulanger) by Stephane Reynaud.
Stéphane Reynaud: Rôti de saumon aux crevettes (Roast salmon with prawns)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for rôti de saumon aux crevettes (Roast salmon with prawns) by Stéphane Reynaud.
Stéphane Reynaud: Epaule en cocotte de foin (lamb shoulder in a bed of straw)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for epaule en cocotte de foin (lamb shoulder in a bed of straw) by Stéphane Reynaud.
Travers rôti, ail grillé (roast spare ribs with toasted garlic)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for travers rôti, ail grillé (roast spare ribs with toasted garlic) by Stéphane Reynaud.
Stéphane Reynaud: Filet de boeuf piqué d’ail aux escargots (garlic-studded fillet of beef with snails)
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Filet de boeuf piqué d’ail aux escargots (garlic-studded fillet of beef with snails) by Stephane Reynaud.
French chocolate recipes
From éclairs to gâteaux, French chocolate desserts are an affair to remember. Make your next rendezvous or soirée extra-special with one of these dark and decadent finales. Enchanté!
Fast French recipes
Food director Emma Knowles and food editor Lisa Featherby bring bistro classics and hearty French fare to the home kitchen, ready to eat in about 30 minutes.
A good feed: ethical foie gras
Spain's ethical foie gras, now available in Australia, is controversial in a new way, writes Richard Cornish.
Tony Bilson’s French recipes
It’s been a lifelong love affair with the food, wine and culture of France for chef and restaurateur Tony Bilson. Here he shares some of his favourite dishes.
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