In late May, grandiose Mornington Peninsula winery Pt Leo Estate announced that it was “closed until further notice” after a fire. Three months later, it’s back – with a whole new dining space.

While it’s now business as usual at the cellar door, wine terrace and sculpture park, fine diner Laura – as well as the estate’s vast restaurant – remain closed until later this year.

But that doesn’t mean dining is off the cards. The team has opened a light and bright temporary restaurant, called Pt Leo Pavilion, on the 130-hectare site in Merricks. It’s not quite Laura, but with a sage-green feature wall and natural timber furnishings throughout, it’s the next best thing while the team readies the restaurants for relaunch.

Never miss a moment. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter today.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

“Pt Leo Pavilion is a testament to our wonderful team and the greater Pt Leo Estate community, who continue to support and motivate us,” said general manager Roger Lancia in a statement.

“After two years of interruptions due to the pandemic, one would be forgiven for lacking the energy to think outside the box. Instead, we have been able to recreate a generous and contemporary dining experience that exists harmoniously with our amazing cellar door and world-class sculpture park.”

A three-course $95-a-head shared set menu is what’s on offer at the Pavilion. Expect dishes like king-crab doughnuts with kombu and rice malt; semolina “pillows” with pickled fennel; and Humpty Doo barra with confit chilli and smoked-bone vinegar.

There’s also a menu of luxe add-ons including appellation oysters, caviar service (with blinis and all the trimmings, naturally) and shaved Red Hill truffles. Plus, you can finish your meal by ordering off an elegant dessert trolley of $5 petit fours such as madeleines, mini rhubarb-and-white-chocolate tarts and white-chocolate-and-mandarin macarons.

Behind the menus is Josep Espuga, Pt Leo’s culinary director, who – from this Saturday – will transform the cellar door into a no-bookings champagne, cocktail and caviar bar every Saturday night from 5pm to 9pm. On the agenda are classic champagne cocktails as well as caviar by the bump.

Hours:
Pt Leo Pavilion
Mon to Fri 12pm–4.30pm
Sat 12pm–4.30pm, 6pm–late
Sun 12pm–4.30pm

Cellar door and sculpture park
Mon to Fri 11am–5pm
Sat 11am–9.30pm
Sun 11am–5pm

ptleoestate.com.au