Chester White
Editorial
With a prime position situated high above Burwood Road, Chester White is a welcome addition to Hawthorn’s rather sparse dining scene.
On a balmy autumn eve the foodies were out in force for Chester’s grand opening.
Co-owner and executive chef Simon Arkless earned his stripes at London’s Bibendum and Oxo Tower, before relocating to Oz in 2002 with stints at Treasury, The Elbow Room and then head chef at Comme. He brings a touch of Mediterranean flavour to Chester’s unpretentious yet exciting menu.
The beauty of the menu lies in its versatility. Delicious appetisers - including the chilli and gorgonzola stuffed, prosciutto wrapped dates, and mouth-wateringly melting porcini and tallegio croquettas - are perfect for light grazing, and can be complemented by Hervey Bay scallops with citrus beurre blanc, fennel and ruby grapefruit salad.
Pizzas hover around the $20 mark, with the scrumptious caramelised onion, roast pumpkin, spinach, parmigiano and goat curd a particularly tasty treat. Mains will set you back around $30, with the free-range Otway pork belly with quince aioli and spiced apple and celeriac slaw Arkless’ signature dish, hence the cheeky name which refers to a rare breed of pig.
It’s an accessible restaurant with a sharp, clean fit-out featuring white tiled walls and light wood, an open-plan kitchen and an enviably enormous timber deck out front offering the perfect vantage point. The road below may be busy, but you feel a world away up here.
Stephen Russell, April 2011
User Feedback
Your Feedback
0 User review (add yours)