Weather doesn't just affect farmers. Indirectly, it affects the food that could be served on your plate at Gianni's restaurant in Brisbane's CBD.
Chef Owner Javier Codina says if there is too much rain or a drought, this naturally has an effect on produce. Sometimes last minute menu changes have to be made to take this into account.
"Each seasonal menu can take up to 5 or 6 weeks to create.
"It involves good communication with suppliers about the availability of produce. It can be challenging in Queensland due to the lack of real seasons."
Allow two hours for the degustation experience.Javier says that many of the fine ingredients are not available locally due to our climate so he sources the best products from around Australia, for example; St John's figs from the Northern Territory, lobster from Kangaroo Island in South Australia and squab from North Queensland.
"Designing a menu also means ensuring a good variety of flavours, textures and dishes.
"From each seasonal menu we create a degustation menu of five courses, which can be ordered with or without wines chosen by the sommelier.
"Diners need to allow two hours for the degustation experience.
"It's hard to pigeon-hole who likes to eat from the degustation menu. It appeals to experimentalists, serious foodies and also those who don't dine out very often because they really want to enjoy a special menu. With a degustation menu you don't have to think and you can leave it in the hands of the chef and sommelier.
"Often the well-travelled customers who eat out a lot may prefer to eat a simple meal rather than indulge in five courses," Javier said.
Gianni's restaurant can also work with corporate groups or wedding parties to design a special menu for their event.
Apart from the choice of menus, diners can choose to eat in the all-weather garden courtyard, complete with glass canopy and built-in heaters, or inside the restaurant.
Javier draws inspiration from his experiences with French, Spanish and Californian cuisine around the world.
You'll find Gianni's at the Brisbane River end of Edward Street, across the road from the City Botanic Gardens and the Stamford Plaza Hotel. Telephone: 07 3221 7655.
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