We may not have strayed far from the epic Fino Food and Wine cheese table at last nights Brisbane Times 2017 Good Food Guide awards, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t cheering on as a few of our favourite spots to wine and dine around Brisbane picked up awards (admittedly it was through mouthfuls of delicious Roquefort cheese).
Amidst the sophisticated surrounds of Customs House, a whole lot of much deserved recognition went to the cafes, restaurants, bars and chefs putting Brisbane on the map with their fare. The big winner of the night was South Brisbane’s Gauge, who took out the title of Queensland’s Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year and also received their first hat – so if you weren’t even aware Gauge had added evening eats to their breakfast lineup, now’s the time to go in and congratulate them with a dinner date.
The Gresham picked up Bar of the Year to add to their impressive wall of awards, while Pearl Café was named Café of the Year and Taro’s Ramen won Best Cheap Eats. Anise’s gamble to switch from fine dining to fine drinking paid off, nabbing them Best Bar Food, while Blackbird Bar and Grill won Wine List of the Year, the highly anticipated OTTO took out Best New Restaurant.
In the most deserved award of the night, Mu’ooz Eritrean Restaurant was recognized for their tireless efforts in supporting refugees with the Food for Good award.
Venues weren’t the only winners though – Angus Baker of Esquire was named Young Chef of the Year, with Sommelier of the Year going to Aria’s Ian Trinkle.
Along with Gauge, a few other venues received their first hat, including Nickel Kitchen and Bar, The Wolfe and OTTO.
For a full list of the hats and the awards, head to the Good Food website.
Words by Ranyhyn Akui
