When brothers Mork and Benn Ratanakosol announced the closure of their former ‘rebellious Thai’ restaurant Morks earlier in the year, it certainly came with a lot of sad faces from locals who had been dining at the restaurant over the course of its 16-year journey.
However, it appears hospo is in the brothers’ blood, as the duo begin their next chapter with the launch of Mínima.
Departing from their Thai roots, the restaurant will explore the concept of ‘Third Culture Cuisine’, a combination of first culture cuisine – the culture you were born into, and second culture – the culture you arrived into. Something that rings true for a lot of Australians.
The food will have a strong backbone of Chinese cuisine, paying homage to Mork and Benn’s grandfather. But just like our culture, it isn’t restricted to one culture, cuisine, or place.
Located in Yarralumla shops, the suburb holds a special place in the hearts of the Ratanakosol family, inspired by their parents’ Sukothai restaurant and fuelled by a passion for culinary innovation.
“Stepping into Mínima felt like stepping back home,” shared Benn. “We envision Mínima not just as a restaurant, but as an extension of our homes, where guests are treated to a warm, intimate dining experience.”
On the dinner menu, diners can expect a la carte dining and a generous $70pp tasting menu, featuring share-style dishes such as raw scallop and shallot pancake, salt and pepper whitebait fritter, coral trout and fermented sambal, and sweet and sour roast suckling pig.
And just like Morks, Mínima will offer delicious cocktails and a curated wine list, with BYO also available.
For lunch, snatch up takeaway boxes inspired by childhood street food favourites, including a dish the team says is “mi goreng meets street-food Pad Thai.”
“Our aim is to blend nostalgic flavours with inventive twists,” explains Mork.
Mínima opens on Tuesday 23 July. To book, visit their website.
3/29 Bentham Street Yarralumla. Open Tuesday – Saturday.
