First look at Cinnabar restaurant at Kingston Foreshore

The new section of the Kingston Foreshore has opened for business and with it a bunch of new restaurants. Among these is Cinnabar - an opulent Asian eatery run by former banker Sonny Zhang and his restaurateur business partner Vivian Song.

Zhang says the restaurant mixes Western and Asian elements and he designed it to have a contemporary interior with traditional detailing. "I want it to look like a Western restaurant with Chinese elements. That's why it's come up that way, very modern in combination with some history," he says. "We are doing Chinese food with some modern ideas." He says it's a reflection of people of his generation, in their 30s, who have been raised with traditional food from their parents but want it to have a more up to date sensibility.

The restaurant has a luxe look - stamped metal scales on one feature wall, gleaming black wood and translucent drapes. In the kitchen is chef Kevin Yu, also known as "Master Yu", whom Zhang says has experience in hotels and restaurants in China over the last 30 years.

They've devised a menu that is still evolving, with old school dishes such as honey chicken given a vegetarian turn into crispy honey eggplant. Zhang says while the food is traditional, it doesn't pander to a Western palate. "I said to my chef, if we say it's spicy chicken, let's make it spicy," he says.

Zhang came to Canberra in 2003 to study, gaining degrees in finance and accounting. He worked as a banker for five years before deciding he wanted to add to Canberra's restaurant scene. His partner Vivian Song brings the hospitality experience - she previously owned a restaurant in Sydney.

Cinnabar is currently in soft opening mode while Zhang and Song perfect the menu, the service and systems. They hope to have a "grand opening" in a couple of weeks.

Cinnabar, 156/45 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore, thecinnabar.com.au