Leonards Bar & Bistro
Brisbane CBD
LEONARDS BAR & BISTRO HAS CLOSED.
Leonards Bar & Bistro is an elegant split-level 1930's style restaurant and bar tucked away off Mary Street in the gardens end of Brisbane CBD.
The moody ambient bistro features original hand-made brick walls, with a mosaic-floored bar on the lower level and up a ramp you'll find intimate candlelit dining nooks and an orange leather banquette along one wall.
Diners can enjoy a drink from the bar before heading to their table, with an impressive array of creative cocktails, old and new world wines and unique spirits available, as well as delectable bar snacks.
The bistro menu is inspired with flavours of southern Europe and the Mediterranean, with starters including country style pork terrine, haloumi and zucchini cakes and steak tartare, as well as a charcuterie selection.
Highly recommended are the hot smoked trout salad (with ruby grapefruit and creme fraiche) and Socca chickpea crepe (quinoa, confit garlic, baba ghanoush & crunchy chickpeas).
For mains, choices include pan-fried ocean trout with thyme potatoes, broccolini and charred lemon; organic tofu steak (pan-fried tofu with green papaya, cherry tomato, bean sprouts and peanuts) or smoked chicken Maryland (with tomato, charred corn and soft polenta).
There's also a delectable rack of lamb (with herb & pistachio crumb, crushed potatoes & jus gras); chargrilled skirt steak (with hand cut fries, salbitxada & hot mustard) or hand-rolled tagliatelle pasta (with forest mushroom, broccoli and creme fraiche).
For dessert there's a choice of buttermilk panna cotta, strawberry tartlet, cannoli, profiteroles or olive oil cake, as well as an artisan cheese selection. Leonard's also has an excellent wine list, with premium wines and champagne (including Louis Roederer) available by the glass.
Leonards is also open for all day dining, starting with a selection of sweet and savoury baked treats for breakfast, and, from 11am, you can enjoy bar snacks including potted smoke trout, daily made bread, pork rillette and Mount Zero olives.
For lunch there's also a selection of gourmet sandwiches, including The Lyonnaise (baguette, smoked chicken, avocado, mustard mayo & butter lettuce): The Catalan (Panini, salamanca salami, roasted peppers & bocconcini) and The San Fran (white loaf, roast broccoli & grilled cheese trio toasty).
Need to know - Leonards also has an excellent children's menu, including charred steak, haloumi zicchini cake, fish of the day, spaghetti bolognese or Little Leonards burger, all for $15.
Leonards Bar & Bistro
181 Mary St
Brisbane