Page 51 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • FOOD

New digs

FRESH VENUES
From farm-to-table Thai
banquets to modern European
dining and quality wines, here
are three new local venues
to try.

Words: Annabel Bowles

JUNGLE FOWL
PORT DOUGLAS
Often booked out months in advance, Oaks Kitchen & Garden
was for many one of those ‘special’ dining experiences that are,
heartbreakingly, few and far between. But that’s all changed.
Restaurateurs Rachael Boon and Ben Wallace have taken their
award-winning tropical fare and unmatched service to a second
venue – Jungle Fowl. Recently opened on Port Douglas’ Wharf
Street, it offers a similar southeast Asian-style banquet menu 1
that’s won the team a Chefs Hat and a coveted Gourmet Traveller
award. Think mouth-popping coral trout with lemongrass and
kaffir lime, rich Penang curry of beef cheek, and caramelised
Ma Hor pork with pineapple. You’ll also find a bespoke drinks
menu based around the fresh herbs and aromatics of their
abundant home garden, while the venue is dripping in
Rachael’s eccentric and absorbing mural art.
MORE: junglefowl.com.au

PALOOKA
STRATFORD
Dynamic duo Sam Byrd and Davy O’Rourke, who between them
operate NOA, Mama Coco and Guerrilla and are the founders
of Ozmosis and Hopscotch, are adding another notch to their
proverbial belt. The pair’s new restaurant, Palooka, is set to
open in the former Stratford Deli site this September, offering
the northern suburbs the same all-day, all-week dining concept
that’s won Edge Hill over with NOA. Modern European food 2
across breakfast, lunch and dinner is the name of the game,
with a cocktail and wine bar to boot. The venue will be able to
welcome up to 100 in the back courtyard, along with tables
inside and out the front.
MORE: palooka.com.au

ARTE. BY CRYSTALBROOK
CAIRNS CITY
Looking for a new place to have after-work drinks? Arte. is a
new boutique wine bar by Crystalbrook Bailey, where an ever-
changing array of biodynamic and quality wines is drawing
locals and tourists alike. There are new varieties to explore upon
each visit, plus an artisan deli-style menu celebrating fresh, local
produce to compliment your drop of choice.
It’s open from 1pm, Tuesday to Saturday, in the atrium of
Crystalbrook Bailey.
INSTAGRAM: @arte.bycrystalbrook 3
1,2. Jungle Fowl
3. Arte. by Crystalbrook
51 • tropicnow.com.au