Saint Malo has multiple venues for events, theatre and dining. Photo: Lucy Ridge. Saint Malo slipped under the radar when it opened in August of But the holiday atmosphere, Mediterranean food and beautiful surroundings make it worth adding to your list of must-try venues.
When chef du cuisine John Santos first heard the concept behind Saint Malo, he immediately knew he wanted to be involved. My grandfather is Spanish and my grandmother is Japanese. This Canberra couple is selling theirs. Saint Malo is a large space covering three levels split into different venues with a large outdoor courtyard. Each dining space is subtly different, but all have impeccable decor. The second floor has a stage for live music and theatre, and the top floor is primarily used as a function space with a private bar.
The courtyard has a leafy canopy and the whole space feels private, despite its prime location in the centre of town. Chef John Santos cooks the paella in the courtyard. The Sunday lunch is served as a buffet with platters of tapas and pintxos small bites from Basque country in the north of Spain and a variety of Spanish salami and cheese. Linger over your snacks in the sunshine with a signature cocktail like the Mi Amor , a delicate strawberry, elderflower and prosecco tipple. There are also non-alcoholic cocktails, like a zero-alcohol sangria or the tropical Mango Bango.
Start with a selection of tapas. A little self-control will be required to avoid filling up on starters β there is plenty more to come. Two big pans of paella simmer away: one is vegetarian and the other is absolutely loaded with mussels, clams, prawns and octopus.
And, of course, the suckling pig is hard to miss! The spectacle is deliberate: the team wanted to showcase their traditional cooking methods and give people a glimpse of the process. The salads and side dishes are delicious accompaniments to the meal. John and his team work tirelessly throughout the lunch to ensure the buffet is fully stocked with new dishes. And we want everyone to have the same experience whether you come early or late.
