Berry proves ripe for Evans' country bistro

John Evans made his name running the kitchens of Bistro CBD, 3 Weeds and Northbridge Bistro. His next move isn't an affluent city pub - Evans is opening his own restaurant in the country. He has just signed the lease on a site in Berry, where he'll open a 50-seat, ''neighbourhood''-style venue, South on Albany, in early July. The chef, who has spent the past three years working at venues on the south coast, has built a large network of local farmers and producers from which to draw. He won't go it alone at South on Albany. ''My wife, Sonia Greig, is back as the main person front-of-house after mixing it up over the last three years working with me as casual front-of-house and also working as freelance food editor on books for Attica [restaurant], Matthew Evans and Quay [restaurant].''