LOCATION
On Grand Drive, just inside the main gates of Centennial Park.
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An early Christmas present for locals and foodies alike, Centennial Parklands Dining has shed the scaffolding and unveiled a divine new restaurant set among the gorgeous setting of Centennial Park. With incomparable scenery, the simple dining room lets nature steal the show, offering views spanning lush green fields and thick forest. Keeping in theme with the natural surroundings, the restaurant’s aesthetically pleasing design utilises light timber beams and walls of glass to create an unimposing rotunda amid the gardens and ponds of Centennial Park. The sweeping decks implore guests to dine alfresco where they can relax with an afternoon tipple or nibble on gourmet cheese and mezze. As Mother Nature sweeps the seasons across the parklands, the restaurant’s backdrop will transform, with weeping fig trees brushing against immaculate lawns and bobbing beacons jogging, walking and riding loops around the circuit.
Chef Darren Foots draws on seasonal, local produce to create a fresh and contemporary menu of nature’s best offerings. Toast a glass of champers to an entree of freshly shucked oysters, or begin with the mixed charcuterie plate before moving on to fresh fish ‘n’ chips or suckling porchetta with cardamom-braised red onions. Date and mascarpone tart is a fitting end to the meal, or put the restaurant’s seemingly endless store of bottles to good use and sample a glass. The Centennial Parklands Dining precinct also encompasses a cafe (featuring all-day, lunch, kids’ and teens’ menus) and kiosk for healthy snacks and organic coffee.
Lauren Barker, December 2008
DETAILS
Nestled in Centennial Park between Moreton Bay Figs and playing fields, the building has received a complete upgrade, which is both stunning and sympathetic to the park environment.
THE RESTAURANT
Passing the heritage-listed fountain, guests enter into the classic but stylish space emanating warm tones, creams and milk chocolates - highlighted by a central Carrara marble bar. The famous peaked roof of the space supports stunning pendant lighting, creating a feeling of intimacy in the open airy space. Large, open, picture windows offer expansive views of the grounds and adjoining deck perfect for sunset cocktails.
CAFE
The 140-seat Centennial Parklands Cafe embodies natural style and warmth, with bi-folding floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to the park vista. Centennial Parklands Dining executive chef John McFadden and head chef Darren Foots, ex bills, have designed a menu which offers contemporary dining for all-day breakfast and lunch. Children and teenagers are also looked after, with two bespoke menus of their own. Comfortable outdoor sofas on the surrounding deck will be the perfect place for parents to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine while the kids play on the adjacent playground. Bright, breezy, relaxed and cheerful… the Centennial Parklands Café is definitely ‘sunny-side up’. Glass doors envelop the breezy, spacious café, while expansive wooden decks provide a large and much- coveted outdoor dining space.
Overlooking the green playing fields, as well as the brand-new middle-park playground, the Café is the perfect meeting place to take time out and relax.
Dining solo with your newspaper, or settling in for a lively family lunch- the Centennial Parklands Café is fun, flexible- and ever so easy.
KIOSK
The Kiosk, inspired by the concept of wellbeing, will cater to early morning bike riders through to picnicking park lovers. Inhabiting its own enchanted alfresco space under an iconic Moreton Bay Fig, the Kiosk will serve organic food including salads, healthy wraps and Organic Bubs nutritious ready-made kid’s meals.