Head Chef Nick Stapleton is all about balancing Asian aromats with a little bit of a French twist. 

As he became a chef himself, he developed the desire to surprise with his food – to put a twist on his dishes. In his own words, ‘I like to go left, when everyone else goes right – I like to merge the best of cultural cuisines.’

His favourite recipe for pork shoulder is a taste of Mexico, while his preferred dish of pork belly is pure Szechuan.

Nick Stapleton showcases sustainably sourced seafood, ethically farmed meats and hero vegetables with beautifully balanced Asian aromats and the distinctive sweet, hot, sour & salty flavours of Vietnamese cuisine at its best.

Now an acclaimed chef with several awards under his hat, Nick has brought his creative vision to an impressive roll call of kitchens including the London Club, Anise Wine Bar, Survey Company, Gordita, Ginger’s Diner, Hope & Anchor and Altitude on Montville.

Of these, his greatest love was Survey Company where he settled after a gastronomic tour of Singapore, England, Paris and Northern Spain. From 2012, for three years, his innovative and quirky menu at Survey Company attracted high praise and a steady trail of dinners into Burnett Laneway seeking standout dishes like his duck.

In 2017 and 2018 his drive for perfection saw him awarded Restaurant and Catering best Site Contract Caterer while running Flight Centre’s HQ. Following this success, Nick spent a year at Altitude on Montville before accepting an offer to join Spicers as Head Chef at The Balfour Kitchen & Bar.

This move appealed to his spirit of adventure, bringing him back to the heart of Brisbane and allowing him the freedom to craft his playful takes on cuisine classics. Do his dishes add a French twist to Vietnamese food, or a Vietnamese twist to French style? Book in for lunch or dinner and taste for yourself!

The Balfour Kitchen & Bar
Escape the bustle of the city to our charming and serene Queenslander – with Modern Vietnamese dining on the veranda, relaxed gatherings under fragrant frangipanis or cocktails on the Rooftop Bar as the sun sets over the iconic Story Bridge.

Our edgy modern Vietnamese inspired cuisine with a French twist, will entice those with a palate for fresh, light and punchy which also includes a delicious selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

The enticing menu is the creation of Head Chef Nick Stapleton and showcases local Queensland ingredients, fresh and cooked, with beautifully balanced Asian aromats and the distinctive sweet, hot, sour and salty flavours of Vietnamese cuisine at its best.

Breakfast at Balfour, almost a Brisbane institution, is a must; the perfect place to start the day. Linger with friends over High Tea, lazy lunches or sunset cocktails in our rooftop bar. In September 2019, The Balfour Kitchen & Bar, under Head Chef Nick Stapleton was awarded Best Asian Restaurant by the Queensland Restaurant and Caterers Association.

The Balfour Hotel is located in the fashionable suburb of New Farm where you’ll experience Brisbane as a local. Balfour is an award-winning boutique hotel just minutes from the Brisbane city centre. Step inside this iconic Queenslander and you’ll discover a chic and stylish interior. Positioned at the edge of the CBD (between the city centre and the airport), Spicers Balfour Hotel gives guests easy access to both. Balfour is within walking distance of many of Brisbane’s best restaurants and bars, while the glorious New Farm Park, River Walk and Howard Smith Wharves are on our doorstep.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Delicious Top 100 – 2019
Restaurant and Catering Savour Awards for Excellence QLD – Best Asian Restaurant – 2019
Restaurant and Catering Savour Awards for Excellence NATIONAL – Best Vietnamese Restaurant – 2019
QHA Best Boutique Accommodation – 2019

HONOURARY ROLES
OzHarvest – Ambassador
RNA Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show – Branded Beef and Branded Lamb Judge