Monal Dining

If you’re a Newstead resident, you might have noticed the space on the corner of Skyring Terrace and Wyandra has undergone a changeover. Previously home to Pantry 360, the airy spot has transformed into Monal Dining, a relaxed but polished eatery from Yogesh Budathoki, ex-chef at Greca, Yoko and Honto, and co-owner Roman Bhandari. 

With 36 seats inside and 25 out on an open patio, the venue looks nothing like its former self thanks to a makeover from Clui Design and Lowry Group. Olive green banquette seating, dark wood and a marble bar combine to create a sleek and sophisticated setting for shared feasts. It may be small but that’s exactly what Budathoki wanted—somewhere that would run smoothly with just a small team, where every plate could be executed to perfection. 

Though labelled ‘modern Australian,’ the menu here certainly doesn’t limit itself to one cuisine, with inspiration from across both Europe and Asia. Start off with snacks like tuna tartare on potato crisps, scallops marinated in apple and green chilli, and wagyu skewers, before moving on to pulled lamb-stuffed fried pastries and pork dumplings. For mains, the spice rubbed char grilled chicken doused in curry sauce has so far been a hot favourite, with a handful of sides to pair it with on offer. 

As for drinks, the wine list is an all-Australian affair, with just a few NZ offerings thrown in and not a single bottle over $300. There’s a short list of cocktails to try too, with a signature concoction or two alongside some iconic classics shaken up to perfection.

Image credit: Monal Dining | Instagram