As a child we’re warned to stay away from open flames, but it’s obviously an instruction Scott Pickett ignored with fire becoming the central focus of his latest restaurant. Matilda 159 Domain lives within the new boutique hotel United Places Botanic Gardens on South Yarra’s Domain Road. It’s the fifth venue for the restaurateur but it represents a new direction for him, with the space an exploration of cookery over fire.

“Named after my daughter, Matilda is inspired by family and reflects my time growing up in South Australia. The menu is approachable, the produce seasonal and cooked simply, I want it to be somewhere that locals can pop in for a wine or two at the bar, or settle in for lunch and stay until dinner and be comfortable,” says Pickett. That means a kitchen equipped with smoker box, josper, wood-fired oven, two fire pits, and a rotisserie. There’s even eight seats situated nearby for those who want a closer look at the action.

Native ingredients form a focus point for the range of dishes available, cooked over live flames, coals or smoke as the kitchen is gas-free. Plenty of experimentation has been undertaken when it comes to different wood varietals, with cherry wood chips being used to smoke the Macedon Ranges duck, and Mornington Peninsula cabernet vine clippings for the Blackmore bavette.

Inspired by a South Australian upbringing, Pickett has formed a menu for Matilda around seafood and native ingredients. Signature dishes for the venue include dressed spanner crab, prawn butter, flat bread, and smoked Flinders Island lamb ribs with spiced onion miso. For dessert there’s a glenora rhubarb partnered with burnt custard and lemon verbena. The wine list to accompany intertwines both premier Australian labels and European classics, alongside local beers and spirits.

The 86-seater was designed by Projects of Imagination, who have incorporated plenty of raw materials throughout. Locality of elements was at the forefront, with tables crafted from three Otway Blackwood trees, sourced by Hugh Makin, and tableware largely textured ceramic plates and bowls custom designed by Andrei Davidoff. Banquet seating is predominant in the restaurant, accented by American oak flooring stained in matte cherry, and surrounded by dark leather and natural linen textures. An art installation of Emily Bradbury of North St Botanical takes pride of place.

The basement is home to Oscar’s Bar, which serves a curated list of bar snacks and classic cocktails. Downstairs you’ll also find Matilda’s events space The Harrison Room, available for both seated and standing functions with a private courtyard.

Matilda 159 Domain, 159 Domain Road, South Yarra, matilda159.com