Pony Dining head chef Michael Crosbie, who took the reigns at the Brisbane fine dining establishment just 12 months ago, is certainly making his mark in the riverside venue’s kitchen, as evidenced by the release of his new autumn menu. Crosbie has always had a passion for showcasing natural flavours. He often cooks over an open flame and uses this method to naturally smoke vegetables and cure meats for his delicious dishes. He also likes keeping things simple, with simple fresh ingredients foraged or sourced from local regions.
The autumn menu offers a broad selection of flavours with fresh seafood, delectable meats, intriguing vegetarian offerings and much more. The dining experience at Pony is enhanced by the restaurant’s premium riverside position at Eagle Street Pier, overlooking the Story Bridge. For starters we opted for Grilled Bone Marrow, with anchovy persillade and toasts – a perfectly warming choice for a rainy autumn day. Our other selection, the Barramundi Collar, was a striking sculptural presence on the plate, served with lemon myrtle salt and burnt butter.
The main menu comprised Crosbie’s elegant interpretations such as Market Fresh Raw Fish with seaweed dressing, radishes, unagi and cucumber, Fire Pit Roasted Beetroots with fig, goat curd, leaves and lemon puree, Spanner Crab with finger lime, dill, rye, cucumber, buttermilk and nasturtiumm, Kangaroo Loin with blackberry, liquorice, smoked beetroot, pickled carrot and buckwheat, and Lamb Rump with roasted and picked Jerusalem artichoke, hazelnut and smoked yoghurt. We found it hard to go past the Rib Eye For Two. It was Nolans Private Reserve, grain fed at 800 grams, served with potato mousseline and jus.
We moved outdoors to enjoy the river views and breezes whilst sampling the dessert menu, and chose well with the creme brulee served with honeycomb. Absolutely delicious washed down with a glass of Champagne. Pony loves its cocktails too. From signature to twisted classics, short, straight up or tall orders – there is a cocktail to suit all tastes. Evocative designed cocktails are tailored to match key dishes on the dining menu. Examples include Blueberry and Lavender Crush, Lychee and Elderflower Martini, Pony Pineapple Punch, Bittersweet Rita, and Popcorntini. Fine wine and craft beer drinkers also will find plenty to satiate their desires.
Boasting one of the best views in Brisbane of the famous Story Bridge, and at home upstairs above Eagle Street Pier, the heavy doors of Pony Dining signal entrance into a world where flavours rule – the smoky wood fire aroma is the first sign of this daily homage to local, regional and international taste profiles. Inside Pony Dining is earthy yet sophisticated. Pony has a sister restaurant in The Rocks in Sydney, and is owned by the operators of Zeus Greek, which also has a venue in South Brisbane.
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