Automata Restaurant

The restaurant décor is minimalist - all cold, hard metals, engine parts and stark concrete. By contrast, the service team – led by restaurant manager Abby Meinke (ex-Moon Park) - is all about warmth beaming onto your table, like the rays of sunshine hitting our portion of the long, shared communal bench. Sommelier Tim Watkins (ex-Pilu) discusses wine, sake and beer so effortlessly, artfully weaving tales of terroir and sake brewing techniques into the fabric of your conversation, he feels like another guest. You won’t find his wine matches printed on the five-course Menu ($88/head) either, because Tim is open to tailoring the accompanying beverages to your drinking predilections. So, if you hate Sauvignon blanc – and I mostly do – he isn’t going to torture you with drinking it in the optional Matched Beverage Package ($60/head). ...read more

a restaurant is nothing without a good pairing, and this place has one of the most amazing and well worked pairing bravo to that person behind

Really enjoyed my meal here. Very modern and sleek new restaurant in the Old Clare Hotel. They offer a 5 course set menu with the choice of matching wines. The dishes were creative and had great flavours.

When I went to uni across the road, this area was a complete dump. We used to come over for drinks at The Clare Hotel, but frankly there was not much else around.

I was in for a huge shock when I came back to the area on Saturday (years later) for a dinner at Automata. Located within the newly refurbed Old Clare Hotel, the space is made up of two narrow floors of industrial-chic overlooking the open kitchen.

Most of the seating is at long shared tables, so be prepared to overhear your neighbour's conversation (and have them eavesdrop on you too). The service ...read more