Lab Bar + Restaurant

For the last few years I've shared Christmas Eve Eve dinner with friends at the Lab Bar and Restaurant (The Lab). This normally involves great company, a glorious meal, before braving the sultry Queensland heat to marvel at the Myer Christmas Windows. However this year, Summer has been unseasonally cool and filled with days of rain. It seemed almost wrong that I was dressed in winter silks, stockings and patent leather shoes but it complimented the European feel of restaurant and the robust menu set out by chef, Craig Betteman.


After being seated, we were faced with the tough decision of making a choice from the menu. Some of the main options included:

• Potato gnocchi, celeriac, lemon, beurre noisette.


• New Zealand lamb, beetroot, mint, pea, hummus, yoghurt.


• Veal scaloppini, crab, asparagus, desiree potato, hollandaise.


• Roasted spatchcock, herb stuffing, vegetables, gravy.


• Braised beef cheek, bacon, mushroom, red wine, onion, potato.

Choices, choices, choices. Though I would have been happy with almost anything off this menu, I decided to select the Veal Scaloppini and wasn't disappointed. The veal was tender, the potato was perfectly balanced by the glossy jus and the hollandaise had enough zing to provide lift to the rich dish.


After the wide choices of main I must admit I was a little dissappointed with the limited dessert selection. The choices were:

• Assiette of a contemporised classic pumpkin scones, cream and jam.


• Rice pudding, coconut, kaffir lime, lemongrass


• Lab trifle, pedro ximenez, sponge, custard, seasonal fruit.


• Ice cream and hokey pokey.


• Rhubarb and apple pie, chestnut, cinnamon, icecream.

Was this menu designed for men? Ample range of cheeses, but what happened to the chocolate? Lucky for the Lab my palette tends to gravitate towards citrus and I selected the Rhubarb and apple pie. Mmmmm, behold the food porn. I believe this dish will speak for itself.


So should you go there? Absolutely. The staff are friendly and attentive, the restaurant has an old world charm that only rich timber can give, the the food was generous without being excessive and I had a fabulous evening catching with friends.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Address: 12/15 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000.
Open: Daily, 9am-10pm.
Phone: (07) 3306 8647.
Price: Entree: $16-$26. Mains: $28-$39. Desserts: $12-$14.