AN Albury restaurant showcasing Riverina produce will relaunch next week after the coronavirus crisis and border closure halted its plans over winter.
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Mantra Albury will open District Dining Bar and Grill to the public on Monday.
Mantra Albury general manager Ian Muller said the venture had been in the pipeline since July when they had only a soft opening before the NSW government closed the state border.
"We had just launched the autumn/winter menu when the border closed," he said.
"People are very keen to reconnect now after being locked down for so long; we think now is a great time to relaunch with the restaurant's spring/summer menu."
Mr Muller said the concept behind District Dining Bar and Grill was two-fold.
"Firstly, the philosophy is that everything's local; it's about showcasing the best of what the region has to offer," Mr Muller said.
"Secondly, there is an overarching aim of reconnecting diners with the region."
District Dining Bar and Grill head chef James Burge, who was Albury-born-and-bred, said the modern Riverina-inspired menu tapped into the broader story of the region.
Burge said his childhood memories had helped shape the dishes.
"We're offering yabbies, which I first tried when I was 17 and out carting hay," he said.
"We've also got Murray Cod and rabbit on the menu; it's about local suppliers and their produce but it's also about delivering a slice of Albury."
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Among menu highlights are Rutherglen lamb rib, Milawa Free-Range Chicken ballotine and Beechworth honeycomb panna cotta. Geoffrey Michael Patissier will offer a dessert too.
Burge, who has been back on the Border for about seven years, previously worked at Sodens Hotel in Albury and the Kinross Woolshed Hotel at Thurgoona.
He did his apprenticeship at The Terminus Hotel and the SS&A Club in Albury.
"Food was always important growing up," Burge said.
"My grandmother lived with us for the last 15 years of her life and she was constantly cooking; she had a Lebanese background.
"Traditional Lebanese food inspired my passion for cooking."
Mr Muller said the new menu featured about a dozen local producers as well as regional wines and craft beer.
"We've got beautiful quality produce that is second to none," he said.
"We've been frothing at the bit to bring this concept to Albury for quite some time now."
District Dining Bar and Grill will offer breakfast daily from 7am and dinner Monday to Saturday from 6pm.
Restaurant bookings are advised due to limited seating under COVID-19 rules.
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