E'cco Bistro

Ph: (07) 3831 8344; 100 Boundary St cnr Adelaide St, BRISBANE 4000 www.eccobistro.com

Modern Australian, $$ +, ** for Food & Ambience
Open Tue-Fri noon-2.30pm Tue-Sat 6pm-late, Closed Public holidays; Licensed, BYO, Corkage $8.50 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT, Seats inside 95, Kids welcomed
Chef Philip Johnson (27-12-07) Owner Philip Johnson (27-12-07)

Mietta's Review
E'cco, under the direction of owner/chef Philip Johnson, has long been the Brisbane benchmark for restaurants. Still great, still incredibly popular and the good Italian influenced dishes still come out of the kitchen in a very business-like way - it's an object lesson in creating and maintaining standards. Brisbane at its best. In 06 mains averaged $32.50.

Other published opinions

Courier Mail food and wine guide Queensland 2008 Score: 17/20, Two Hats "New Zealand-born chef Philip Johnson opened his bistro, formerly an old tea warehouse, in 1996. It's small and stylish, with polished timber floors, timber tables and an open stainless steel window to the kitchen"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "To try the sticky-on-the-outside, soy-braised wagyu beef cheek topped with a chirpy Asian salad is to be introduced into the confident, big-on-flavour, light-on-excessive-tinkering world of Philip Johnson's accomplished cooking"

Courier Mail Des Houghton, 23-6-2007 "e'ccoArticle from:Font size:DecreaseIncreaseEmail article:EmailPrint article:PrintSubmit comment:Submit commentBy Des HoughtonJune 23, 2007 12:00amIT never rains but it pours. Now there's a cliche you haven't heard for a while. As rain tumbled down outside, the culinary cognoscenti were sniffing approvingly at the storm of flavours set before them by the city's great chefs.At Michael's on the river, Gary Jones had prepared a seven-course Queensland Day feast to honour local food and wine"

Brisbane News Tony Harper, 11-7-2007 Score: Food 9, Wine 8.5, Service 9, Ambience 8.5 "I reckon that e'cco is twice the restaurant it was in 1997, when Rick Stein named it the best in the country. And I also believe it's the best it's ever been."

Brisbane News Dining Out Guide 2007 "Philip Johnson may be famous on a national scale for his entree of field mushrooms, olive toast, rocket, parmesan, truffle oil and lemon, but his repertoire is far wider, and takes in a range of styles"

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "Rare is the restaurant where each dish grabs the diner with equal conviction. Such is the food of Philip Johnson, who has forged a creative path through the classics and into modern and competitive times by remaining utterly consistent in all areas of his business."

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 2006 "Brisbane without ecco is almost unthinkable. Known throughout Australia and internationally as a local icon, this unpretentious bistro has possibly done more to put Brisbane on the national culinary landscape than any other organisation or individual."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "Lauded chef and author Philip Johnson's interpretation of bistro food is ever-changing, and yet remains utterly consistent in terms offlavour and innovation. "

Brisbane News Eating Out Guide 2006 "A favourite with savvy diners, e'cco is the kind of place you instantly feel welcome, so professional is the staff and so consistent the food."

Brisbane News Natascha Mirosch 7/9/05 "It's hard to imagine Brisbane without e'cco bistro - it seems to have been part of that little corner of the cityscape forever, yet it's only recently celebrated its 10th birthday. E'cco is very much a city restaurant with its pared-back, vaguely New York-ish decor and glimpses of Story Bridge traffic. Its patrons, too, particularly on weekday lunchtimes, seem to be mainly city workers grateful for an excuse to escape the sandwich bar. ... food: 8 service: 8 wine: 8 atmosphere: 8 "

Courier-Mail Goodlife Restaurant Guide 05 "Philip Johnson and his skilled kitchen team continue serve the stylish, fresh and flavoursome fare that ecco oistro has been noted for since its success back in '997 as national restaurant of the year."

Gourmet Traveller Australian Restaurant Guide 2005 "leading Queensland chef Philip Johnson has perfected the art of less-is-more, bringing simplicity to the forefront in everything he prepares. The menu is uncomplicated and approachable"

Brisbane News Dining Out Guide 2004 "Philip Johnson's landmark bistro, which won the 1997 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year, continues to deliver. Dine in a modern space with walls of aubergine and blood red as you sample beautifully executed, simple fare."

Goumet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 3 Black Stars,'This much loved and celebrated bistro is infused with a genoristy of spirit just as appealing as its bold, beautiful food...fresh, simply prepared dishes...The wine list is concise and ever-changing and service is always knowledgeable and friendly.'

Brisbane times, Restaurants, Alison Walsh, 31/7/02

Courier-Mail, good life, dining out, Lizzie Loel, 15/5/02, Score- Food 18/20, Ambience 17/20. "Great food - here it is!"

2002 Eating Out Guide, Brisbane News