ARC Dining and Wine Bar, Brisbane

For somewhere refined, rather than rowdy, you can’t go past this light and bright glasshouse, backdropped by the Brisbane River and sparkling CBD. Acclaimed chef and kitchen stud, Alanna Sapwell has put together a winning menu, which includes goose prosciutto with persimmon and fig leaf, squid with preserved lemon, and skirt steak with coal-roasted mushrooms, priced at $160pp or $230pp with wine pairings. 5 Boundary St, Brisbane. arcdining.com.au.

What to expect

Well really, the unexpected. Arc is nothing short of statement-making, with the venue sitting pretty in a glasshouse-like structure on the New Farm end of the precinct. Settled on the banks of the Brisbane river, and surrounded by full-length glass windows, the restaurant has been designed so that guests feel like they are floating on the river below. Of course inside is arguably more picturesque than outside courtesy of Spiro’s eclectic collection of mismatched chairs and clashing prints.

As for the fare

Sapwell has forged a philosophy with Arc that’s based purely on making a difference. Her background at the award-winning and wholly fish-focused Saint Peter in Sydney, has shaped her passion for sustainable produce. “At Arc our aim is to provide food that people feel great about. We feel really strongly about our use of ethically raised and sourced produce. We want the diners at ARC to have an elevated dining experience while still making it fun, approachable, fresh and satisfying,” she says. “ARC Wine Bar is working hand in hand to deliver the same experience as the restaurant. We take pride in showcasing our values in snack form at the bar while being able to enjoy our extensive wine list that captures a minimal intervention approach all while taking in the stunning views of Brisbane.”

What to order

Fresh, fun and local forms the central Arc menu. Must-try dishes include the indulgent spanner crab, gala apple and cranberry hibiscus, and the Spanish mackerel, zucchini, chilli and native ginger and granny smith. It will also be hard for guests to go past dessert when they include the likes of sunflower tart with lemon and honey. To complement her fare will be a curated list of more than 400 wines from sommelier Ian Trinkle. Within this bunch you’ll find an array of eclectic and rare drops from around the globe, with a special focus on producers who make handcrafted wine with respect to its place of origin.

The interiors

In typical Spiro fashion, the styling of Arc packs a punch. Front and centre sits a large fig tree, which is so tall its tip almost touches the green fabric panels attached to the ceiling. The remaining 100-seat dining area is a mishmash of striking artwork, and clashing patterns. There’s custom-panelled cabinetry adorned with pink marble tops, vintage black marble tables, and Le Corbusier wall lights. “ARC Dining and Wine Bar is a really special addition to Howard Smith Wharves,” says Howard Smith Wharves Director Adam Flaskas. “The unique food and wine offerings from Alanna and Ian add something new and different to the Brisbane dining scene, and, as always, Anna Spiro has done an amazing job with the interiors.”