Golden Avenue

Overview

Anyday is not a group that does things by halves. The powerhouse hospo group — responsible for game-changing venues including Agnes, sAme sAme and Honto — is going all in on Golden Avenue, which brings rhythm, smoke and fire-kissed Levantine fare guided by a trio of experienced chefs to Edward Street.

At the helm of the group's first CBD venture is Ben Williamson — Anyday Co-Owner and Culinary Director — who returns to his culinary roots after years spent shaping Brisbane dining through woodfired cooking at Agnes and contemporary Middle Eastern at Gerard's Bistro, as well as stints at kitchens in the Middle East. He's joined by Executive Chef Adam Wolfers — who worked at Sydney fine diners Est, Monopole and Yellow before replacing Williamson at Gerard's — and Head Chef Tim Yates, most recently Head Chef of the opening team at London fine-diner Scully.

Jessie Prince

The menu is built around charcoal grills and wood ovens, creating smoky aromas that drift out of the open kitchen and through the dining space. The menu might include meze like kibbeh nayyeh with urfa chilli and sheep curd or fried quail with house chilli oil, carob molasses and za'atar. Those wood ovens also turn out larger plates like whole john dory with preserved lemon and a 700g mechoui lamb shoulder finished with fermented daikon ajvar, mint and black cardamom salt, while grill selections include king prawns with black lime and ghormeh sabzi and fenugreek-basted chicken thigh with soured onion, toum and a salad of fines herbes. There's a generous selection of sides to choose from, too, as well as creative desserts like a frozen yoghurt parfait with Iranian pistachios and rose and a sultry Turkish coffee ice cream lifted with cocoa nibs, EVOO and smoked sea salt.

The venue is designed by J.AR OFFICE, the Fortitude Valley studio that's been on a tear of late, culminating in winning top honours at the Australian Interior Design Awards for its work on nearby restaurant Central. The 500-square-metre Golden Avenue space blends brutalist form with Moroccan riad influences across its interconnected, multi-level shared and private dining areas. Far from stark concrete, the design is softened with skylights, tiled surfaces and textured render, cloistered by a perforated shade sail that rests on a peristyle. Granite, off-form concrete, stainless steel and plenty of greenery create a breezy, light-filled setting that feels worlds away from Edward Street, with seven retractable roofs opening to the sky above.

Adjacent to the restaurant, GA is Golden Avenue's bar that offers a more casual drop-in option. Open daily until midnight and with its own entrance, GA will have a separate snack menu and a back bar with more than 130 bottles.

Jessie Prince

Images: Jessie Prince.