A great spot for people-watching in Brisbane, Goldfinch Restaurant & Street Café has a sophisticated but relaxed ambience perfectly befitting its locale. The sidewalk restaurant looks out over busy Ann Street but is a welcome oasis with its hanging roof garden, white and lightly stained oak furnishings, and light-filled space.
It’s a venue that transforms easily from breakfast to lunch to dinner with everything in between. Pop in for a mid-morning pastry with Elixir coffee, indulge in afternoon tea, or enjoy an aperitivo before dinner. Cheeky negroni or Blood orange mojito, anyone?
On the ground floor of the Pullman & Mercure Brisbane King George Square complex, Goldfinch is part of the Accor Hotels restaurant portfolio. Executive chef Krisztian Herczig had only recently arrived from the Hyatt Regency when we dined at Goldfinch a few weeks ago.
He oversees a Mediterranean-inspired menu with a strong emphasis on regional produce, much of it local. Brisbane’s Brasserie Bread, Delizia Gelato & Sorbet and locally roasted Elixir coffee feature along with Byron Bay Mozzarella and, from further afield, Humpty-Doo barramundi and Fremantle octopus.
The menu spans small plates, stone-baked pizza, antipasto platters, fresh seafood, cuts from the grill, and sweet treats. Mains are a little heartier for the dinner menu. Yet so generous are the serving sizes, even at lunch, that my main — slow-cooked brisket ragout pappardelle with green peas and dobs of whipped ricotta – really had me stumped. My colleague’s potato gnocchi with creamy gorgonzola sauce and pangrattato was remarkably generous too.
The drinks list is wide-ranging and keenly priced, with some interesting wines by the glass including a Karman Tinto Grenache from Rioja that was a nice match for the pappardelle. A shout out too for Goldfinch’s cocktails. We loved the ‘Ibiza’ Blood Orange Mojito, a delicious blend of Bacardi, Grand Marnier, blood orange, lime and mint.
The internationally inspired cocktails include ‘Marbella’ Jaffa martini, ‘Santorini’ White Lady, ‘Casablanca’ Cheeky Negroni, etc. You get the drift. If you want to kick on, the hotel has a cool rooftop bar, Sixteen Antlers, open till late from Tuesday to Saturday.
On weekends, Goldfinch hosts high tea with sweet and savoury delights including buttermilk scones with jam and elderflower cream; smoked salmon, dill and creme fraiche ribbon sandwiches; decadent mini cakes; premium loose-leaf teas and sparkling wine.
If you go:
Goldfinch Restaurant & Street Café
Pullman & Mercure Brisbane King George Square
Corner Ann & Roma Streets
Brisbane Qld 4000
Australia
Tel: +61 (0)7 3229 9111
www.pullmanbrisbanekgs.com.au
Food Wine Travel dined as guests of Goldfinch Restaurant and Pullman & Mercure Brisbane.
