at Restaurant Botanic
Friends Gate, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide, South Australia
An exclusive dining event uniting two of the world’s boldest kitchens.
In a move that underscores its commitment to curating the most remarkable dining experiences in the world, Restaurant Botanic has invited one of New York City’s most elusive and talked-about culinary forces – Aftergold – to Adelaide for two extraordinary nights only.
Known for its strictly limited, word-of-mouth pop-ups across Manhattan and Brooklyn, Aftergold exists on the cutting edge of modern fine dining. With no permanent home, no public-facing restaurant, and a fiercely loyal following, securing a seat at Aftergold in NYC is nearly impossible. Recognizing the singularity of this experience, Botanic sought to bring Aftergold’s creators to Adelaide; not just to share a meal, but to create a moment in time that cannot be replicated.
From New York’s finest restaurants to an intimate stage in Adelaide.
At the heart of Aftergold is Chef Nate Kuester, a Korean-American culinary prodigy who has honed his craft in some of New York’s most esteemed kitchens. A semi-finalist for the 2016 San Pellegrino Best Young Chef award at just 21, Kuester’s journey includes notable tenures as Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Atoboy and Executive Chef at the Michelin-starred Naro. Under his leadership, Naro earned a coveted 3-star review from The New York Times and was ranked #84 in North America on the 2024 OAD list.
Now, with Aftergold, Kuester presents a deeply personal and boundary blurring vision: Korean-American cuisine reimagined through the lens of global technique and emotional storytelling.
Alongside Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz, Aftergold crafts immersive tasting experiences that are both intimate and unforgettable. Guests can expect standout dishes such as tempura-fried minari dusted with grilled ginger and white pepper flowers, butterfish accompanied by a sea cucumber salad and bergamot oil, and a dessert of black sugar ice cream with barley and perilla seed, paired with warm Hudson Valley doughnuts; each course a carefully composed balance of innovation and tradition.
An ephemeral encounter with the artistry of world-class gastronomy.
This will be Aftergold’s first and only appearance in Australia, presented inside the glass-walled rotunda of Restaurant Botanic, one of the nation’s most celebrated culinary destinations. With only 24 guests per night, the collaboration promises to be a dialogue between two of the most distinctive voices in contemporary dining: Aftergold’s ephemeral, boundary-blurring creativity and Restaurant Botanic’s deep, ingredient-led storytelling. For two nights only, Adelaide becomes the epicentre of global fine dining. And for the fortunate few, this will be an experience that lingers long after the final bite.
