Chef and Restaurateur Philip Johnson has rolled up his sleeves and has officially returned to man the helm of the e’cco bistro kitchen – just in time for the month long celebration for e’cco’s first birthday at Haven Newstead.

Fresh from his own overseas birthday celebration, Johnson has returned invigorated and excited to be back doing what he does best – creating lasting food memories and experiences for his guests. Part of Philip Johnson’s return has included a menu overhaul featuring brand new dishes and also some signature e’cco dishes from menus past.  Johnson says, “The vision for e’cco is to bring it back to its roots but still to keep it modern, contemporary and now.  There are so many classic dishes from our past that have stood the test of time and I’m excited to reinterpret these on our new menu”.

The new menu will be a trip down memory lane for e’cco’s long time fans and likely an exciting change for its newer wave of diners.  Signature dishes on the new menu include Johnson’s Moreton Bay Bug risotto, spatchcock with paris mash and hazlenut ice cream sandwich to name a few. New dishes such as grilled Atlantic salmon with citrus beurre blanc and sorrel, and the Angus short rib with savoy cabbage, bacon and fried polenta feature.

Johnson describes the menu as modern comfort food.  The menu is designed to make you feel warm and happy, pared back to shine on the plate and on the palette of guests.  Paying homage to his lifelong ethos, “attention to detail is my obsession – but after that, I try to do the very least with the very best of produce.”

Since the move to Haven, it is hard to believe that one year has gone by since e’cco bistro upped stumps from it is CBD location to its current home at Haven Newstead. Coinciding with Johnson’s return to the kitchen, e’cco bistro are celebrating their first year anniversary at Haven Newstead from now until 11 March with Philip’s famed field mushrooms on olive toast with rocket, parmesan and truffle oil making a return as a birthday special for the next four weeks.

To the future, Johnson and his team are looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays to come at Haven.  e’cco’s first birthday month celebration runs until 11 March. The new menu and birthday special is now currently available.

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