Courtesy of The Commoner
A roast is so much more than a meal. It’s a gathering, an occasion and, most importantly, one of the greatest ways to warm the soul through the cooler months. And while some of the most memorable roast meals are made at home, sometimes you just feel like handing the duties to someone else. For those times, here’s our pick of some of the hottest roasts in restaurants across the nation:
MELBOURNE
[PM24
](http://www.pm24.com.au) The secret to beating Melbourne’s winter cold? PM24’s French-inspired rôtisserie offerings, of course. We like the signature organic chicken, which comes with a choice of sautéed potatoes, macaroni gratin or vegetable ragoût. Gruelling decisions. $35, 24 Russell St, Melbourne, Vic, (03) 9207 7424
[The Commoner
](http://www.thecommoner.com.au) The crew at The Commoner has put its own distinct twist on the classic Sunday roast, offering up the likes of wood-roasted milk-fed kid with spiced cauliflower salad, stuffed potato cake, labne and harissa, and whole duckling with red cabbage, caper leaf and pomegranate salad. We’ll have both. Sundays only, $30 à la carte, sharing options $65-$75 per person including entrée and dessert, 122 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Vic, (03) 9415 6876
BRISBANE
[Alfred & Constance
](http://www.alfredandconstance.com.au) Alfred & Constance’s wood-fired and Josper coal grills get a serious work-out. They produce everything from slow-roasted legs of lamb to whole roast pigs with crackling, and pasture-fed beef done on the bone. Pair it all with a drink from one of the venue’s three brilliant cocktail bars and you’re laughing. $32-$58, 130 Constance St, Fortitude Valley, Qld, (07) 3251 6500
Pearl Café
Brisbane, wave your weekend roasting duties goodbye. Pearl does Sunday roasts weekly from noon, dishing up the likes of sumac-roasted baby chook and pomegranate-glazed lamb shoulder, all with a glass of Sherry on arrival, with sides and dessert to boot. Sundays, $45 per person, 28 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba, Qld, (07) 3392 3300
SYDNEY
[Four in Hand
](http://www.fourinhand.com.au) The Four’s Colin Fassnidge isn’t dubbed the prince of pork for nothing. His whole suckling pig is one of Sydney’s most popular and his weekly Sunday roasts from the bar menu (which could be anything from beef with Yorkshire pudding to leg of lamb with roast vegetables) are just as noteworthy. Bar menu’s Sunday roast $24, restaurant’s suckling pig $80 per person for a minimum of 10 guests with 48 hours’ notice, 105 Sutherland St, Paddington, NSW, (02) 9362 1999
[Bistrode CBD
](http://www.merivale.com.au/bistrodecbd) Five-hour Southdown lamb shoulder with roast winter vegetables or whole roast suckling pig with trimmings? Whichever way you go, Jeremy Strode’s Dinner Feast options at Bistrode CBD are sure to keep the whole party pleased. Lamb $55 per person, suckling pig $75 per person, including sides and an à la carte dessert, level 1, 52 King St, Sydney, NSW, (02) 9240 3000
TASMANIA
[Red Velvet Lounge
](http://www.theredvelvetlounge.com.au) The wood-fired oven at Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge turns out half chickens, half ducks, lamb shoulders, pork shoulders and beef cheeks, all served with roast potatoes, a garden salad and house-made condiments such as grain mustard, chimichurri and salsa verde. Tassie chill: defeated. Roasts $27.90, 24 Mary St, Cygnet, Tas, (03) 6295 0466
ADELAIDE
[Press Food & Wine
](http://www.pressfoodandwine.com.au) It’s all about the whole hog at Adelaide’s Press Food & Wine. Their suckling Berkshire pig is one of the best in town and comes complete with all the trimmings: pork jus, roast potatoes, cauliflower purée and a salad. What more do you need? $78 per person for a minimum of 10 guests with 24 hours’ notice, 40 Waymouth St, Adelaide, SA, (08) 8211 8048
