The Fink Group will launch its first interstate restaurant, OTTO Brisbane, in Queensland on 14 June. Situated on the fourth floor atrium of DEXUS Property Group’s 480 Queen Street office in the CBD, OTTO Brisbane overlooks the Brisbane River to the Story Bridge.
Former OTTO Sydney sous chef Will Cowper will be head chef, overseeing the OTTO Brisbane menu which is loosely inspired by the southern regions of Italy. Dishes will include white anchovies with fennel, muscatels and pine nuts; zucchini flowers filled with ricotta and pecorino, tomato confit and eggplant; carbonara spaghettini with smoked ham hock and pecorino; and vongole with chilli, garlic and cannellini beans.
Beef carpaccio with truffle dressing, aioli, capers, parmesan and rocket; black and white tagliolini, Moreton bay bugs, cherry tomatoes, basil; and the baby barramundi fillets with salsa verde, will also feature on the menu.
Alan Hunter, former Queensland Good Food Guide “Pol Roger Sommelier of the Year” and ex-E’cco Bistro sommelier, will head up the wine team. Hunter has collaborated with Fink Group wine consultant and Master of Wine, Ned Goodwin to create a list that showcases the diversity and quality that both Australian and Italian wines have to offer. Restaurant manager Sam Pask (ex-Selah) will lead the floor team.
OTTO Brisbane will also include a casual eatery and bar just across the way from the restaurant on the Parkland level of the building, which will operate for breakfast, lunch and after-work aperitivi.
Packaging has been designed by Saatchi & Saatchi with fold down lunchboxes intended for pasta on-the-go, while coffee will come from local roasters, Blackstar.
Fink Group has worked with the architects responsible for the fit-out at Bennelong, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, to take the OTTO Sydney DNA and transform it into a restaurant relevant for Brisbane diners.
Taking inspiration from heritage listed Woolloomooloo Wharf, Brisbane diners will be surrounded by natural materials such as slatted timber walls and ceiling, marblo resin and naval brass. The restaurant features an open kitchen and private dining room.
John Fink, creative director of The Fink Group said, “We were looking to take the OTTO brand outside Sydney and felt that Brisbane would be the perfect home. There are so many exciting things happening in Brisbane, not to mention the vibrant, growing food scene – it really is something I want to be part of. It goes without saying that diners can expect the same fresh, seasonal, produce driven offering, with ingredients that speak for themselves, and that wonderful and seamless, quality of service we dish up down in Sydney.”
Images: Nikki To