aria restaurant brisbane, 1 eagle st, eagle st pier, brisbane

i have been wanting to go to aria brisbane for some time & the perfect lunch invitation recently came my way........my friend, janelle watson evans (her blog www.the-decorator.net) organised a brilliant morning for her friends @ the qld art gallery with a personal viewing of the currently exhibiting artist, & her long time friend, scott redford..........the group then celebrated the morning with lunch @ aria, brisbane.  unfortunately i could not attend the private viewing but was able to join the group for lunch.  janelle also invited local artist friend, michael zavros to join us @ lunch.....so there was great company, fine food & fabulous champagne had!

ben russell, head chef of aria brisbane has been with the aria group for the last 5yrs in both syd & now bris.....ben spent time in europe cooking & time in melb with donovan sibley-cooke @ est est est.  ben invited me into the kitchen during busy lunch service to capture the action.  with a brigade of 15 chefs in full swing the kitchen was buzzing....ben was at the pass checking dishes & allocating to wait staff - i found the short experience in the kitchen really exciting + ben is lovely, friendly & professional.

my entree:

twice cooked bangalow sweet pork belly with fresh figs, spiced walnut, apple & crackling salad

my main:

pan seared trevalla fillet with tomato and olive salad and tempura zucchini flower

food was delicious & great, service was smooth & great & i will return soon to enjoy aria again.
http://www.ariarestaurant.com/

http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/scott_redford
www.the-decorator.net
http://www.michaelzavros.com/

ben russell......head chef of aria brisbane