Laura

The Verdict

If you haven’t checked out Pt. Leo Estate yet, do you even Mornington?

Pt. Leo is a new winery and sculpture park that opened on the southern edge of the Mornington Peninsula in 2017: 134 beautiful acres, a working vineyard, cellar door and 110-seater restaurant, run by Culinary Directory Phil Wood. Melbournians flocked down the M1 pretty much as soon as the news broke, and it's been booming ever since. 

Well now Pt. Leo has a second restaurant, Laura. And she’s one fancy lady.

Laura is Phil Wood’s latest culinary expression—a more refined, fine dining experience. Just a cozy 45 seats this time, focusing on seasonal ingredients and exquisite local wine pairings.

Here’s how it works. Diners are treated to a set menu that tells the story of the Mornington Peninsula. You can pick from either four, five or six courses (don’t hold back—you’ve driven down here for a reason). Phil will be changing the menu regularly, depending what’s in season or what tickles his fancy. 

You can expect the same attention to detail as in Pt. Leo’s original restaurant...Laura just has the chef dial cranked to 11. Think Flinders Island mussels with seaweed butter, dehydrated tomatoes and polenta made from local corn. Or maybe a fillet of John Dory with pickled vine leaves, grapes, pine nuts and burnt butter.

Laura’s dining room comes with epic views over the sculpture park, plus Western Port Bay in the distance. The interiors are all-class (as you’d expect). A swish blend of leather-topped tables, bespoke tableware and all the flames and theatre of an open kitchen.

Andrew Murch is handling the wine list, and he’s pulling out all the stops. We’re talking 600+ bottles, with a big focus on local Mornington growers (plus some well travelled superstars from overseas). 

If you’ve been meaning to get down to Pt. Leo, now might be a good time...

Image credit: Pt. Leo Estate