The ink is only just dry on Emporium Hotel’s Signature, the new Brisbane fine dining restaurant in the five-star luxury boutique hotel at South Bank adding a new romantic dining option for the city.

It’s a restaurant where you’ll feel immediately comfortable, cocooned by the welcoming blush pink and warm burnt orange tones in the uphostered furniture.  There’s so much attention to detail that nothing is left to chance here to create a bespoke and vibrant culinary experience.

Heading this Brisbane fine dining restaurant is creative husband and wife duo Executive Chef, Chris Norman and Executive Sous Chef Alex Liddle who are focued on using locally sourced food heroes such as Abrolhos Island Scallops, Eugowra Quail, Murray River Cod and Flinders Island Lamb in their modern Australian cuisine.

I’ve eaten at Signature twice and I can say this equisite dining experience is only getting better!  

What’s on the menu at Emporium Hotel’s Signature restaurant

The opening night menu started with freshly baked bread with house-made butter, a well-appreciated touch, followed by a plate of blueberry cured ocean trout surrounded by heirloom tomatoes and cucumber pickled in verjus.

Brisbane Valley Quail starred in the next dish along with corn, hazelnut and a wattle seed granola.  Following the restaurant’s philosophy of using the best produce available, the lamb in the third dish came from the rugged grasslands of Tasmania’s Flinders Island.  It is receommended as a must-try by those who have dined at Signature, and I can only agree.

Finishing the meal was a soda pop and preserved cumquat combination topped with extra virgin olive oil ice cream and mandarin.  The origin of the cumquats is extremely local but also a well-kept secret.

However, that was not the end.  A delicious white chocolate and caviar macaron was the final touch.

Signature is a romantic restaurant

If you are looking for somewhere for a special dinner, Signature should be on the list.  This is Brisbane fine dining and romantic restaurant in one.

The decor focuses on a coloured marble and a blush pink and burnt orange colour palette, a bespoke backlit white onyx bar featuring a caviar and oyster menu and a 150-year-old antique Parisian stained glass shop front as the backdrop of the private dining room.  

Designed to seat 60 people, the  Brisbane fine dining experience is crowned by the restaurant’s architectural coffered ceiling with a bespoke lighting feature containing 1000 hand-blown glass baubles.

General Manager Charles Martin said, “Signature is the final piece for Emporium Hotel South Bank and is a testament to the business’ passion for excellence and a strong culture of innovation. Combining Signature’s stunning décor, bespoke menus and awe-inspiring wine cellar with our award-winning service, we will continue to set the benchmark as a leading culinary destination in Brisbane.” 

The private dining room offers an intimate experience for up to 12 guests. Featuring a curated wine display, a hidden door will open to the display kitchen providing a vantage point to immerse the diners in the culinary action at the heart of the restaurant.

Walking through the custom-built display cellar which frames the dining area, showcasing feature wines from the hotel’s main cellar, is a delight for wine lovers.  It includes over 6000 bottles of fine international and local wines. The bottles, alongside a magnificent collection of 200 magnums, line the cellar walls on floating wine racks. It’s quite spectacular.

I can see this romantic Brisbane restaurant being the place where proposals are made, anniversaries are celebrated and significant birthdays marked.  

More about food at the Emporium Hotel

Signature’s opening completes the Emporium Hotel culinary collection alongside Belle Époque, Piano Bar and The Terrace. 

The Terrace is South Bank’s only rooftop bar with spectacular, panoramic views of the Brisbane River, city and beyond.  The Piano Bar offers a sophisticated spot to wine and dine over a carefully curated drinks menu. Belle Époque is styled like a Parisian café and serves a patisserie-style breakfast and bistro lunch plus a selection of the most excellent tarts and gateaux.

Signature Restaurant opens for dinner from 5:30 pm to late, Tuesday to Saturday.

Wondering what the hotel’s rooms are like.  Take a peek at Emporium Hotel here.

Where else can you dine in Brisbane?  Try Donna Chang, Salon de Co, Nota, or Greca.

Disclaimer: Ed+bK was a guest of Emporium Hotel for the restaurant opening.

Now that you have found us, keep us in your inbox!