The Mercure Brisbane hotel has re-launched its restaurant and bar, showcasing a fresh, light and contemporary new finish for guests and a revised menu that reflects its prime location overlooking the Brisbane River and Southbank Parklands. Ideally suited for entertaining corporate travellers looking to keep quality high and costs low, or for travellers staying at the hotel and wanting to avoid travel delays, the new Mercure Restaurant & Bar is the final installment of a multi-million dollar renovation undertaken at the Mercure Brisbane over the past two years. Completed under the creative eye of interior’s specialists WMK Architecture, the restaurant update follows on from the hotel’s impressive room and interactive lobby refurbishment completed late last year.

Continuing the modern design theme introduced with the recent room and reception revival, the restaurant presents a slightly different colour palette for diners, offering subtle blues and greys – a departure from the powerful pink tones and more energetic vibe of the hotel’s bustling reception area. Reconstituted stone bench tops, black laminate frames and shelves, and mirrored back panels, complete the cool and contemporary look of this urban dining room. Timber herringbone detail on the walls tie in the sophisticated look of the lobby, while modern patterns and fabric texture add interest and effortless warmth for guests.

Conjuring calm, the restaurant and bar offer a casual ambiance and place to reflect and enjoy the river view over great food. Providing an airy, light-filled space, the restaurant features freestyle tables for couples or solo travellers, and banquet seating for larger groups of up to six or eight people together. Mercure has also incorporated a buffet niche which can be used as a private function space on request.

The technology focus of the reception area flows into the new restaurant, with connectivity ports available throughout the space, either as individual USB and power port hubs accessible in the main dining area, or via larger connection ports designed for multiple guests seated at communal dining tables.

Mercure Restaurant & Bar serves buffet breakfast daily and transforms in the evenings to an intimate dining room, offering an la carte menu that specifically highlights fresh produce sourced from the South East Queensland region. The new menu features a selection of small bites including pan seared local scallops; pan fried quail; and Szechuan and lemongrass-infused calamari; bigger bites such as pork ribs; traditional Northern chickpea and potato curry; and lamb rack; plus fresh fish, great sides and a fantastic sweet bites dessert and cheese list.

A must try is Mercure’s Paella de Mariscos made with saffron infused rice and cooked with a selection of local seafood. An ‘Ankle Biters’ children’s menu is also on offer, featuring a selection of tried and true kid’s favourites alongside newer items such as Mercure’s fish tacos with pineapple slaw. In addition to its regular bar menu, the Mercure invites guests to try its Flavours from the Cellar wine list which includes a broad selection of quality, regional wines at affordable prices, specially selected in consultation with renowned wine judge and consultant, Jim McMahon. www.mercurebrisbane.com.au/dining.html.