Salt Meats Cheese has officially opened its doors in Mantra South Bank, its first venue in partnership with Accor. 
Combining relaxed Italian hospitality with the first-class service that at Accor is renowned for, the new bar and eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers 24-hour service to Mantra South Bank hotel guests.
Nestled near the river in the heart of Brisbane’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination, the restaurant mirrors South Bank’s characteristic and thriving cultural scene and is close to the home of attractions like South Bank Markets, South Bank Parklands, and the Queensland Art Gallery.
Part of an entertainment precinct that is becoming a firm favourite for locals and travellers alike, the 130+ seater restaurant boasts a stunning al fresco dining area with an abundance of greenery and natural finishes, and is the perfect place to relax over coffees, lunch or an afternoon aperitivo. The fresh, light-filled space has elegant timber, brick and tile details that reflect the Brisbane aesthetic. Warm tones, industrial lighting and leather banquettes allow for all-day ambience and the bar’s low ceiling, glass racks and brass surfaces set the scene for a more intimate experience as the day moves into night.
Food is served the classic Italian way – shared and enjoyed as a large group. Guests can tuck into dishes like the Crab Tagliolini, with blue swimmer crab with zucchini and chilli, Risotto Pumpkin with pistachios, goat’s cheese, parmigiano, marjoram; Stuffed Lamb Neck with garlic and herbs, cannellini beans and salsa verde; and Tagliata, a 250g sirloin, roasted asparagus and truffle pecorino. Salt Meats Cheese’s expansive pizza range can be served on a gluten free base or made with dairy-free mozzarella for vegan diners.
Alternatively, Brisbanites can grab a spot at the bar, graze on antipasti platters and take their pick from a stand-out list of bespoke cocktails created specifically for South Bank. The drinks list features speciality cocktails, sours, and spritz, and a range of local and imported wines and liquors. Highlights include the signature ‘Barrel Aged Negroni’ using gin, Campari and Cinzano Rosso house-aged for eight weeks in an oak barrel, ‘Siciliano Old Fashionado Affumicato’ with blood orange spirit, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and smoked orange peel and ‘Tiramisù Espresso Martini’with Mr Black coffee liqueur, espresso, Beluga vodka and mascarpone cheese.
The drinks list is complemented by a bar menu that is available from 11am until 9.30pm every day and is made up of classic Italian snacks. Think Arancini with saffron, fontina and parmigiano, prosciutto San Daniele with grapes, almonds and basil, and a caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, roma tomatoes, basil and pickled eschallots. The menu also features a short list of generous sandwiches for the lunch time crowd, like the ‘Schiacciata’ with mozzarella, tomatoes, olive tapenade and fresh basil, and the ‘SMC Club Sandwich’ with poached chicken, brie cheese, aioli, lettuce, tomato, crispy bacon and egg.
A grazing-style breakfast is available from 6.30-10.30am, featuring an abundance of traditional Italian pastries and a healthy grab-and-go element for hotel guests who are keen to get out and explore local attractions. Australian breaky favourites will have an Italian twist such as a bacon and egg roll with melted provolone, and the ‘SMC Breakfast’ featuring a fried egg, grilled asparagus, sausage and truffle pecorino, and smoked salmon and avocado served on rustic, stone-baked Tuscan-style sourdough.
Hotel guests can also indulge in an Italian feast from the comfort of their hotel room with in-dining choices like a cured meats and cheese platter, rigatoni with braised beef shin, tomato, parmiagiano and parsley, and a Tiramisú with crema mascarpone, Frangelico, and candied hazelnuts.
Salt Meats Cheese South Bank is an exciting new frontier for the authentic Italian foodie favourite and rapidly expanding restaurant group. A welcome addition to Mantra South Bank, it sparks the beginning of a formidable partnership with worldwide leader and hospitality experts, Accor, that will see Salt Meats Cheese restaurants open across Australia.
Accor’s Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath, said the transformation of Mantra South Bank’s onsite restaurant to a popular Salt Meats Cheese outlet will attract both hotel guests and visiting diners.
“This announcement marks the beginning of our mutually beneficial partnership with Salt Meats Cheese, which combines the expertise of two iconic hospitality providers,” said Mr McGrath.
“We remain committed to providing our guests with renewed dining experiences – ones which often challenge preconceived notions of standard hotel fare.”
Childhood friends Edoardo Perlo and Stefano de Blasi founded Salt Meats Cheese in 2012, four years after moving to Sydney from Northern Italy. The Salt Meats Cheese group portfolio will continue to grow with plans to open a Sydney CBD rooftop bar in the coming weeks and two new Queensland locations in the coming months.
The launch of South Bank follows what has been an exciting period of growth for Salt Meats Cheese. Since launching in 2012, four years after childhood friends Edoardo Perlo and Stefano de Blasi moved to Sydney from Northern Italy, the group has expanded to include ten concepts across Sydney and Brisbane and will soon open another restaurant in Woolloongabba.
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