One of the newest restaurants to open in Geelong, Maestro is celebrating the best quality ingredients in the hands of culinary masters.
In a highly anticipated culinary debut, celebrated chef Adrian Richardson has unveiled his latest gastronomic masterpiece, Maestro, in the heart of Geelong.
Nestled within the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong on Level One at 40 Ryrie St and opening earlier this month, Maestro is set to become a beacon of modern Australian cuisine in the newly developed Geelong Quarter.
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This new dining sensation pays homage to the region’s finest ingredients through a meticulously crafted menu designed by Chef Adrian Richardson and Executive Chef Migo Razon, both renowned for their culinary expertise. Richardson, widely acclaimed as the ‘meat maestro,’ brings his decades of experience, including TV appearances and the beloved La Luna restaurant and Bouvier Bar in Melbourne, to the Maestro experience, promising an unforgettable dining journey for a diverse range of patrons. Hailing from the Philippines, Razon also brings an impressive breadth of experience to Maestro, including leading the kitchen at Pacific Bay Resort and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne.
“Maestro serves modern Australian cuisine, which reflects my culinary style. The menu is a fusion of international flavours, including house-made pasta, Filipino dishes, and French-style desserts, all grounded in Australian roots with nearly 99 per cent locally sourced ingredients,” Chef Richardson proudly declares.
“Maestro embodies a modern and vibrant atmosphere, like the entire Geelong Quarter development. There is a lot of activity and great people here who want it to succeed, including myself.”
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The Maestro bar boasts an extensive selection of wines and beers, featuring local favourites from the Moorabool Valley and Bellarine Peninsula, classic Victorian varieties, beloved Australian wines from Clare Valley, and a touch of international flair with French wines from the Loire Valley and Champagne region. Guests can enjoy these libations with delectable bar snacks, including Oysters with a tangy mignonette, Steak Tartare with egg yolk, pickles, and potato crisps, and a Prawn Cocktail with avocado, salmon roe, and Marie Rose sauce.
Maestro proudly partners with local suppliers like Dama Dama to craft exceptional dishes such as the Venison Sausage appetiser, served alongside skordalia, red wine jus, and a vibrant salsa verde. The menu continues to showcase the region’s best seasonal produce, from Moorabool Valley duck in the Dry-Aged Duck main to Rangers Valley Flat Iron Steaks from the grill, served with a variety of condiments.
Chef Richardson’s pasta recipes take centre stage in mouth-watering pasta mains like Linguini Prawns with garlic, clams, chilli, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil, and Nicola Potato Gnocchi with artisan mushrooms, truffles, and pecorino. Other highlights include the Veal Cutlet crusted with sourdough crumbs and the light and delicate Whole Flounder with burnt butter, capers, anchovies, and herbs. Seafood lovers can revel in the Steamed Portarlington Mussels and House Smoked Salmon.
For dessert enthusiasts, Maestro offers delights such as the Eton Mess with berries, lemon curd, and cream, and a decadent gluten-free Crème Brûlée. Vegan and gluten-free options by Chef Razon feature the rich and umami Kingbrown Mushroom with miso, shallots, and almond milk, and the comforting and flavourful Devon Meadows Leek soup.
In addition to the delectable main courses, Maestro presents a selection of house-made small goods accompanied by premium condiments, including the dry-cured and slow-aged De Palma Wagyu Bresaola and the Mr Cannubi Caocollo served with olive oil and croutons.
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Nestled at the prominent corner of Ryrie and Fenwick Streets, Maestro offers breathtaking views of the city and Corio Bay. Its modern interiors, featuring low tables for an intimate dining experience and an open layout, allow guests to witness the chefs’ culinary mastery in the open kitchen.
Chef Richardson, who describes Maestro as “bringing a piece of Melbourne to Geelong,” is thrilled to offer top-notch professionals and a warm, satisfying dining experience.
“We’re bringing top professionals, the same ones you’d find in Melbourne’s best restaurants, to Maestro. It’s an excellent opportunity to bring my love for the city’s restaurants to Geelong, which isn’t far away.
“I want our customers to experience the same warmth and satisfaction I feel when my grandmother cooks for me in her kitchen. She’s an amazing cook, and the love and care she puts into her meals are what I want our customers to feel.
“When guests walk through our doors, I want them to know they’re in a special place, where our professional staff takes great care of them. I hope they leave here thinking, ‘We need to come back and bring our friends.’ That’s what I aim for,” Chef Richardson says.
Maestro is open for lunch every day from 12pm to 2.30pm and for dinner from Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to 9pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 10pm. For bookings and further information, head here.
