G’day,

Those in the know, know where to go.

We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Gus Armstrong, owner and operator of eightysix in Braddon, Canberra. Opened on April 18, 2013, eightysix has become a true local institution, loud hip-hop, gritty charm, killer drinks, and a dining room that’s built for big energy, big flavours, and a night that can get a little loose (in the best way). Gus isn’t a trained chef, but as the venue’s creative director, he’s deeply involved in menu development alongside his kitchen team, obsessing over the details until every dish hits. He was a key mentor to Chef’s Favourite host James Grass in his earliest days in hospitality and so it was a pleasure to reconnect with Gus and exchange updated hospitality philosophies, touch on mentorship, and reflect on Canberra’s hospitality evolution, the heartbeat behind eightysix, what “86” really means, and all of Gus’s favourite spots.

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Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.

See the FULL LIST of Gus Armstrong Favourites:

Bakery: UNDER Bakery
Coffee: Barrio Collective Coffee
Date Night: Rebel Rebel
Dying to Try: Bar Rochford
Fried Chicken: eightysix
Food Neighborhood: Mawson
Hidden Gem: Mínima
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Rebel Rebel
Take an Out of Town Guest: Lunetta
Sushi: Sushi Ten
Wine Bar: Paranormal Wines

Thanks for joining us, Gus!

Head to eightysix for a night that’s all heartbeat, loud, flavour-forward, and unapologetically fun. While there, be sure to try the fried chicken (the stuff of local legend) and pair it with a signature cocktail like the Road Trip mezcal margarita or the Sicilian Hit, which are Gus’s favourites.