Pilot team to open new city eatery, Such and Such

Posted on 2 November, 2022

The team behind one of Canberra’s most acclaimed restaurants, Pilot, will open a new modern city eatery in the heart of Australia’s capital at the end of the year.

An all-day restaurant with a strong focus on wine, owners Ross McQuinn, Dash Rumble (group manager), and Mal Hanslow (executive chef) say they want Such and Such to be a place you can drop into for a glass of wine and a snack, or a laid-back lunch or dinner.

The young restaurateurs are renowned for their relaxed but sharp approach to fine dining at award-winning Pilot, and with Such and Such they will once again play with nostalgic but modern flavours, a fun interesting locally-leaning drinks program, and design and art that shine a light on creative Canberrans.

“With Pilot, we have created more of a destination diner, and we know people come to us for occasions and book far in advance. We want Such and Such to be a ‘drop in’ place with plenty of room for walk-ins as well as bookings, and for drinkers and diners to have a little more fun,” says Dash.

 

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The menu will be a la carte, with dishes designed to share and items that could include oysters and snacks, pastas and whole fish. There will be bar seating, a dining room with 40 seats and plenty of outdoor tables with another almost 40 seats spilling out in the covered courtyard area of Constitution Place.

“We’re right near the Canberra Theatre so there’s a great opportunity for people to have an excellent night out with a pre or post theatre dinner or drink at Such and Such,” Dash adds.

The core team at Such and Such have all worked at Pilot, so the DNA of the successful fine diner will be strong, with head chef Nick Petersen (also ex-Porteno and Onzieme) and Caitlin Baker leading front of house (also ex-Aubergine and founder of Venus Vinifera).

Beverage director James Dickson-Hoyle (Pilot, Osteria Ilaria, Saint Crispin) has created a fun wine list, with a focus on premium and interesting small Aussie wines, a long list of the best international bottles they can offer, and some local cult favourites. All of the producers are chosen with the same values and approach that guide the team’s ethos, with a focus on sustainability and quality. Cocktails will lean towards the classics, and there will be a strong non-alcoholic range of beverages as well.

“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.”

Photography: Ashley St George