Overview
Today a brand new sleek restaurant and bar opens — but it's not where you'd expect. MPD Steak Kitchen isn't located in the CBD, or the inner suburbs. It's in the outer southeastern suburb of Berwick. And not only that, the new 200-seater has an ex-Vue de Monde chef and a former Attica sommelier on board. Not bad for Berwick.
MPD — which is a nod to the Meatpacking District in New York City — is a concept from Victor and Robert Zagame, who are the same siblings behind Spice Market and that suburban family bistro chain Zagame's. As the name suggests, it's a venue with a very specific focus.
Steak.
Really, really nice steak.
Taking charge of the kitchen at the two-storey venue is Chris Bonello, former executive chef at the Vue Group, which includes Vue de Monde and Bistro Vue. He'll be in charge of sourcing prime cuts of beef, including Cape Grim sirloin, Rangers Valley pope's eye and rump from Blackmore Wagyu. Side options range from hand-cut chips to truffle mac and cheese and honey-glazed brussels sprouts with pancetta.
If, for some inexplicable reason, you don't feel like steak at a steak restaurant, other mains include John Dory with char-grilled lettuce, olive tapenade and pearl barley, and Flinders Island lamb with radish, sunflower and quince. That said, we do have to admit that we're quite taken by a couple of the dessert options, like the burnt mandarin mousse with dulce de leche, basil sorbet and dehydrated milk, and the white chocolate parfait with pistachio aero, lemon curd and bitter chocolate.
The wine list includes an impressive 250+ options chosen by ex-Attica restaurant manager and young gun sommelier Banjo Harris Plane. Not into wine? They've also got craft beer and cider, a selection of bourbons and scotches, plus a number of adventurous cocktails made with liquid nitrogen.
MPD Steak Kitchen is now open on the corner of Greaves Road and Clyde Road, Berwick. For more information visit mpdsteakkitchen.com.