Howard Smith Wharves will be the place to be this summer, with the announcement of yet another fabulous bar opening at Brisbane's new favourite lifestyle and entertainment precinct.
ARC Wine Bar, a 140-seat wine bar, designed by Anna Spiro will open on 17 December, followed by the 100-seat ARC Dining in February 2019.
Alanna Sapwell has been announced as the Head Chef of ARC Dining and Wine Bar. Former Head Chef of the award winning and wholly fish-focused Saint Peter in Sydney, Alanna Sapwell (pictured below) has come home to Queensland to join the Howard Smith Wharves team, with a new restaurant and a broader culinary spectrum focused on making a difference.
ARC Wine Bar will also feature an extensive wine list of over 500 wines curated by our favourite Sommelier Ian Trinkle (formerly of ARIA).
Located at the New Farm end of the precinct and set on the edge of the Brisbane River with stunning views of Brisbane City, the soon-to-open ARC Wine Bar will feature a sophisticated, modern concept inspired by art and culture, courtesy of acclaimed interior designer Anna Spiro.
Sapwell's philosophy is centred around using local suppliers and farmers and respecting their products, making a conscious effort to use as much as possible and recycling through onsite composting.
"We'll be getting in whole carcases, selecting the cuts that I want to use in the restaurant and then utilising what's left to make small plates and charcuterie in-house for the wine bar," said Sapwell.
Howard Smith Wharves Director, Adam Flaskas, said of Alanna's appointment, "We're really excited to have Alanna on board as Head Chef of ARC. To have one of the hottest chefs in Australia as part of our amazing culinary team is fantastic, and I can't wait to see what Alanna achieves in this new role."
On Alanna's ARC Wine Bar menu, you will find selection of unusual yet approachable snacks. Think re-imagined charcuterie with, goose rillette sour cherry and rye/kangaroo and candied melon and of course seafood.
The wine offering at ARC Wine Bar is also sure to impress, featuring wines curated by Sommelier Ian Trinkle (pictured above), who has a formidable reputation in the wine arena – in a previous role as Head Sommelier at ARIA, Ian was awarded The Judy Hirst award for Australia's best Sommelier, as well as best wine list and Sommelier in Australia in Good Food Guide. ARC's wine list focuses heavily on natural, biodynamic wine with a spotlight on artisanal producers who embrace sustainable and organically driven practices with minimal intervention, letting each wine speak to its sense of place.
Alanna brings a broad repertoire of experience to ARC Dining and Wine Bar. After completing her apprenticeship at The River House, Alanna headed to Italy to take up a role as sous chef at La Decima Musa in Florence, before moving to Japan as head chef of Morino. Upon her return to Australia, Alanna worked as head chef at Maison De Provence and as head pastry chef at Urbane, Aquitine and Gerard's before moving to a sous chef role at Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane.
ARC Dining and Wine Bar joins a formidable line up of bars and eateries at Howard Smith Wharves including Felons Brewing Co, Mr Percival's (pictured above), Greca Restaurant with Stanley Cantonese Restaurant, Toko Japanese Restaurant, and the new Art Series Hotel The Fantauzzo to open in the coming months.
ARC Wine Bar is sure to become a popular spot for locals and visitors to Brisbane this summer. Fancy a Brisbane vacay? Browse our Brisbane city breaks here for the best Brisbane accommodation.
Image credit: HSW and Weekend Edition
