New Port Douglas restaurant to welcome top chef

BUSINESS

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"I am very excited about complementing the already wonderful food scene in Port Douglas that enjoys an excellent global reputation." - Arabella's chef Daniel Watt. Image: Amy Neeson

A PASSION for seafood, laid back fine dining and the tropical lifestyle has lured award winning Executive Chef, Daniel Watt, to Arabella's in Port Douglas.

Located in a prime position on Wharf Street with stunning views overlooking Douglas Inlet and the Coral Sea, Arabella's features an impeccably designed décor set to delight both visitors and locals with its classy ambience and modern twist on European cuisine featuring locally sourced sustainable seafood and freshly grown produce.

Watt has a background in fine dining at five-star hotels in Sydney including Sheraton on The Park and the Intercontinental Hotel. He has rattled the pans at Kingsley's Steak House, Brisbane, Otto Ristorante in Woolloomooloo and Peppers in Kingscliff. He cemented his reputation as the Executive Chef at the award-winning Oskar's On Burleigh at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.

Standout dishes on the menu include: Cured salmon, bug tail, salmon roe, crème fraiche, avocado, cos lettuce with lemon dressing; Humpty Doo Barramundi, charred zucchini, yellow squash cream, spring onion, herb dressing and Black Market beef carpaccio, truffle dressing, baby rocket, parmesan, capers and aioli.

Arabella's will also feature a custom designed American BBQ smoker that can produce succulent wood fired roasted meats, suckling pig, whole fish and flame roasted vegetables.

"I am inspired by the masters of French cuisine however I believe that eating well should be fun and relaxed with an air of modern sophistication. I strive to balance my classic training with a modern twist in an environment that people are comfortable in. Arabella's is designed to be an extension of our guest's lounge rooms where friends and family can gather to enjoy fine food, wine, good times and laughter," Watt said.

"When owners Troy and Sarah Holland offered me this unique opportunity to have free reign to develop a distinctive menu at Arabella's I leapt at the opportunity. I am very excited about complementing the already wonderful food scene in Port Douglas that enjoys an excellent global reputation," he added.

Arabella's is on schedule to open on 27 March, 2018. Opening hours will be seven days a week for lunch and dinner and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. A custom designed coffee cart will serve Kai coffee and freshly baked French pastries from 7:00-11:00am Monday to Friday.


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