Win Dinner for Four at No. 8 by John Lawson

John Lawson didn't just end up in the kitchen of No. 8 by chance. After Gordon Ramsay brought him out to Australia to work on his (failed) venture at Crown and Lawson then took over the reins as it transitioned into Mr. Hive, it became apparent that his background, working as a chef in London, France and then Australia, readied him for heading his own Crown restaurant: No. 8 by John Lawson. As with the man himself, every ingredient he uses has a story behind it; supremely calculated, nothing got here by chance.

For Lawson, locally sourced produce is a must. But, with a slew of other restaurants and cafes doing the same, he went a step further. Take a pick of something off the menu and it is probably from a crop that has been grown exclusively for No. 8 — much of the produce isn't available anywhere else. With this in mind, the dining experience seems infinitely more special; your plate is much more than the sum of its parts.

This is evident from first bite. The potato and rosemary bread is the perfect density and, slathered with seaweed butter, possibly the most moreish thing on the menu. The jicama ravioli salad sees cool, creamy pockets of avocado burst with the crunch of pistachios ($18) and the Flowerdale Farm salad with wheat berries, cute baby carrots and nutty almond mushrooms ($18) is worth a try for its fresh earthiness, if not for the novelty of micro-greens.

Thanks to No.8 by John Lawson, we're giving away one group dinner for four (up to the value of $400) at the restaurant. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email [email protected] with your name and address. Please not that bookings are subject to availability and blackout periods apply. Read our full review here.