Dash Rumble, Ross McQuinn and Mal Hanslow will open Such and Such in December. Photo: Supplied.
The team behind the acclaimed fine dining restaurant Pilot is opening up a second venture at Constitution Place in the city.
Owners Ross McQuinn, Dash Rumble and Mal Hanslow have made a name for themselves in Canberra and nationally with Pilot, recently named the best restaurant in the ACT by Gourmet Traveller for the second year in a row.
The new restaurant will be called Such and Such and is slated as a more casual alternative to Pilot.
Rather than needing to book for a special occasion weeks in advance, diners will be able to walk in for a more relaxed meal or drink with friends. Group manager Dash Rumble says that while they enjoy the fine dining aspects of Pilot, the team is excited to flex some different creative muscles.
“We just wanted to do something a little more casual and a little more fun. Something that’s kind of every day,” Dash told Region.
“[Such and Such will be] somewhere people can pop in for a drink, and if they want to sit down and have a nice dinner, they can do that too.”
Pilot restaurant has been awarded best restaurant in the ACT by Gourmet Traveller two years in a row. Photo: Supplied.
The restaurant will offer a mix of bar snacks, shared plates and a set menu for larger groups. There will also be a set lunch menu and a pre-theatre dining option, and they’re planning to stay open for theatre-goers to drop in after a show.
The core team from Pilot is all on board for this new venture, and front-of-house will be led by former Aubergine manager and Venus Vinifera founder Caitlin Baker. Pilot’s beverage director James Dickson-Hoyle has created a fun drinks list with a mix of local “cult favourite” and international wines. Visitors can also expect classic cocktails and a strong showing of non-alcoholic options.
The space is still under construction but will feature local art when finished. Photo: Supplied.
Executive chef Mal Hanslow will team up with head chef Nick Petersen, who has previously worked at Onzieme and Sydney’s Porteño. The menu looks set to continue Pilot’s reputation for flawless technique combined with creativity and flair. Oysters, pasta, whole fish, snacks and more will be on offer, with a strong focus on sustainably sourced produce and local ingredients.
Dash Rumble says that Such and Such will also be a visual feast.
“The room will be ‘controlled maximalism’ as our designer Mark Brook from mymymy likes to say. He’s using lighting, textures and volume to create some drama and plenty of art and sculpture from respected Canberra folk like sculptor Scott Chaseling, ceramicist Chris Harford, furniture designer Tom Skeehan and local emerging artists curated by Grace Blake.”
Such and Such is due to open in December at Constitution Place, RT08, 220 London Circuit, Canberra.
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