Kingsfords

Ph: (07) 4031 1300; Cairns International, 17 Abbott St, CAIRNS 4870 www.cairnsinternational.com.au

Modern Australian, $$ +, * for Ambience
Open Tue-Sat 6-10pm, Closed Sundays, Mondays, Christmas night; Licensed, BYO bottled wine only, Corkage $25 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT, Seats inside 100, 2 Private boardrooms 24, 50
Chef Grant Jones (27-12-07) Owner Mirvac Hotels & Resorts (27-12-07)

Mietta's Review
There are things that hotel dining rooms can do that private restaurants can't. These include silver cutlery, beautiful porcelain and a substantial enough brigade to do classical dishes in all their complexity though with modern (and some unfortunate) twists. Presentation at Kingsfords is king. Very careful, a bit old fashioned but of a high standard. Table cooking and gueridon service are all too rare and they feature here with Caeser Salad prepared at table and a Flambe of the evening. The wine list hasn't been given the same attention but the setting, with the sounds of a good trio wafting up from the lobby is a pleasant enough distraction.

Other published opinions

Courier Mail food and wine guide Queensland 2008 Score: 15/20, One Hat "Live music from the piano bar drifts up to the second level mezzanine of the Cairns International Hotel, the location of Kingsfords restaurant, one of Cairns' finest"

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide "Kingsfords is the flagship restaurant in a hotel that is a sanctuary of good taste in this northern Queensland city centre. Intimate and unobtrusive, it sits on the mezzanine level overlooking the foyer through polished timber balustrades. It's an impression bolstered by front-of-house staff who show attention to the smallest of details."