The Mulberry Group may be from Melbourne, but they are putting Queensland produce front and center in their newest venture: High Road Bar & Grill. The major hospitality group has taken a chance on Queensland for the first time with its latest venture, now open on Cordelia Street in South Brisbane. Set within the Novotel Brisbane South Bank, High Road has been developed to have its own distinct identity, one shaped by its location, the surrounding neighbourhood, and built around Queensland producers. The Mulberry Group is out to prove it can build a venue designed specifically for Queensland, just as well as it does in Melbourne. Nathan Toleman, Founder and Creative Director of The Mulberry Group, says, "We want people to feel welcomed straight away, with warm light, the smell of the fire, a smile at the door and the sense they're already known. When they leave, we want them to feel full, looked after and already planning when they'll come back." Its name hints at what sits at the core of the new restaurant: the wood-fired grill and custom-designed wood-fired ovens. Head Chef Gareth Woolcock's cooking philosophy rests on the simple principles of freshness, simplicity, provenance, precision, and, of course, heroing premium local ingredients. "The number one focus is flavour. The produce, technique and provenance all matter, but ultimately the dish still has to taste great," says Woolcock. Highlights from his opening menu include a Mooloolaba prawn roll with umami mayo, a wagyu cheeseburger with house burger sauce, a 220-gram pasture-fed Toowoomba eye fillet, Humpty Doo barramundi with charred broccoli pesto, charred carrots with nduja and yoghurt, and vanilla ice cream with whisky caramel and macadamia brittle. While set within the Novotel, the team wants the new venue to become a dining destination in its own right, not only for visitors and hotel guests, but for locals too, giving them a reason to engage with the property. The partnership combines Novotel's established hotel operations and guest base with The Mulberry Group's extensive hospitality experience, creating a restaurant-first approach within a design-forward hotel setting. "We bring the hotel operation, guest experience, and South Bank context. The Mulberry Group brings tested restaurant thinking and creative hospitality expertise. High Road is stronger because of that collaboration," says Novotel Brisbane South Bank General Manager Todd Creighton. Images: Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
