New peach-hued nosh spot Camber is turning out Mediterranean-inspired tapas in Milton
If you’ve disembarked the train at Milton station and noticed a new open-air eatery on the corner of Railway Terrace and Manning Street, then you’ve caught a glimpse of Camber. This breezy wine bar and tapas spot opened under the radar in late February, luring in curious chow hunters with a menu of world-spanning vino, serves of hand-knotted burrata and a lengthy list of piquant cheeses. Take a look inside …
Beer has buoyed Milton ever since the Castlemaine Perkins brewery started operations in 1878. The liquid remains the critical ingredient bonding Milton’s aggregate – the likes of The Scratch Bar, Mongrel, Milton Common and Newstead Brewing Co. all operate within a tight radius of one another, ensuring the area remains a froth-flecked nexus of craft beer. Camber, a brand-new wine bar and cafe now open at the base of Westmark Milton on Railway Terrace, isn’t looking to upend the status quo, but merely lightly tip the ratio back the other way. The brainchild of hospitality veteran Aaron Mullan (co-owner of Wineism) and Sophie Sellars, Camber looks to add a downtempo option for locals alighting at Milton’s train station and blow-ins cruising through on a night out. “We really wanted to bring through something that was a little bit different to the area,” explains Sophie, who works as a dietician but has an interior-design background. “We didn’t see something that was more relaxed, more feminine or had an outdoor Mediterranean feel going on.” The duo have maximised the restaurant’s corner location, which came with quirky L-shaped interior dimensions, by implementing an arid Mediterranean – almost Moroccan – aesthetic. Rendered concrete walls the colour of toasted peach are offset by a mottled marble counter which curves around from the bar (which boasts an arched back bar niche) to the kitchen, while the patio dining space is bracketed by low-set leather banquettes. “What was really important to both Aaron and I was that we created a space that was really relaxing, familiar and friendly,” says Sophie of the venue’s look. “We wanted to keep everything really understated. Nothing too busy or over the top, because I feel like that leads to this sense of calm – a ‘sit back and chill’ vibe.”
In the kitchen, chef Rino Avellini (previously head chef at Pause in Samford) has consulted on a launch menu that hews close to tapas-style cuisine – think a constellation of small plates designed to be shared amongst a group. Freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters, hand-knotted burrata with grilled artichokes, lightly seared Moreton Bay bugs, local prawns wrapped in kataifi pastry, Spanish-style meatballs and chickpea panisse are available alongside three regularly changing off-menu mains – one red meat dish, a seafood-centric option and one vegetarian choice. On the charcuterie front, guests can enjoy a selection of Italian salami (soppressa della nonna, cacciatore, truffle salami and finocchiona) and prosciutto crudo, while curd nerds will get a kick out of Camber’s extensive cheese list. The range includes English cave-aged cheddar, Italian juncu and French roquefort, as well as South Australian brie, cloth-bound cheddar from Tasmania and a plant-based cheese made here in Queensland. Camber’s bar looks to stock libations you’re unlikely to find at your local liquor store. The wine list traverses heralded growing regions from Europe and Australia – Tuscan chianti, Greek assirtiko and Argentinian malbec share shelf space with skin-contact pinot gris from Fleet Wines on the Mornington Peninsula, zippy pet nats from La Violetta and oaky chardonnay from Basket Range in the Adelaide Hills. Throw a sturdy cocktail list and a tight selection of domestic and international beers, and Camber’s drinks list has everything needed for a sensational sipping session. In the coming weeks, Camber will introduce a Mediterranean-inspired brunch menu, encompassing quick grab-and-go options for people who on their way to the train station, as well as sit-down fare.
Camber is now open to the public – operating hours, menu details and contact info can be found in the Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
