August

August is quietly and understatedly one of the best restaurants in Brisbane, located in a beautiful heritage-listed church (circa 1888) on a corner in West End.

Owned by a pair of Brisbane's top hospo talents, August ticks all the boxes for a top-notch dining experience, yet with the vibe of being a guest in someone's home, from the unique fine dining-style menu to the chic yet unassuming decor, music (great acoustics!) and the warm, friendly and knowledgeable staff. 

The charm-filled interior of the restaurant, which  is entered via the original church vestibule, features soaring ceilings, the original stained glass windows and polished floors, with artworks on the walls and crisp white linen-clothed tables spaced well apart. 

The pulpit and priest have been replaced by the open-windowed kitchen where the friendly chef/owner presides over the guests he is cooking for.

The exquisite Euro-inspired menu steers away from anything you'll find in Brisbane, with starters including Pickled fennel fritti & skordlia; Ox tongue and tomato fritter & sauce bois boudran; or Oyster alla marco, scallop mousseline & champagne.

Entree-style dishes, perfect for sharing, include asparagus vinaigrette, hazelnut & sauce hollandaise (highly recommended); beef neopolitan; perline bocconcini & zucchini alla scapece; and confit ocean trout, kipfler potato, watercress & sauce caviar.

Must-try is the house signature mud crab omelette Arnold Bennett, based on the dish invented and served at the Savoy Hotel in London. And for something larger, designed to share, there's foie gras stuffed chicken crown & peas a la Francaise; Barnsley lamb chop & caponata; or grilled flounder, vongole, butter beans & saffron butter. 

And save room for dessert, with heavenly dishes to choose from like blue cheese cheesecake, Pedro Ximenez jelly & black sesame; caramelised brioche, golden syrup & lemon cream; or rum & raisin parfait & chocolate. There's also a choice of chef's banquets.

The drinks menu at August features classic European aperitifs and cocktails such as Campari, limoncello or saison summer flowers spritz, forêt pastis; negroni, martini or old fashioned along with digestifs like Saison Marigold amaro, Meletti anisetta and Caffo Vecchio amaro del capo.

For beers there's a choice of Birra Moretti, XXXX Gold or Wildflower Organic table beer; and the wine list is a carefully curated selection of boutique Australian, Italian and French wines.

Need to know - There is on-street parking available on Dornoch Tce and surrounding streets.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

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Still hungry for more suggestions on where to eat out in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!