Brave new world

With a punchy name and an even punchier motto, city newbie Brutale opens this Saturday at 18 Corrs Lane. Owned by chef Daniel Dobra (ex-Royal Mail Hotel, Brix, and Greenhouse in Perth) and businessman Rene de la Soya, Brutale's motto is ''Food for the brave'', Dobra says.

The menu will offer a ''unique mixture of eastern-European flavours, with a strong Croatian influence'', he says, referring to his own Croatian heritage. Expect charcoal spit-roasted suckling pig - to buy by the half-kilo or kilo - as well as cabbage rolls and stuffed paprikas.

Dobra says the drinks list will be in keeping with the ''eastern-European drinking culture'', with up to 16 different types of the spirit rakija. There will be Croatian wines, too - Dobra says the Croatian wine industry has improved immensely over the past 10 years - as well as a selection of local and eastern-European beers.

Brutale will be open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.