Cape cements Mornington Peninsula as regional dining's hot ticket

Cementing the Mornington Peninsula's place as Australia's hottest regional dining destination is Cape, an ambitious 160-seat restaurant on the peninsula's southern-most tip.

It's part of a $150 million redevelopment at the RACV's Cape Schanck resort, with Josh Pelham heading the kitchen.

Pelham, whose CV checks off Scott Pickett's Estelle, George Calombaris' Press Club and The Square in London, has been on site for the past 18 months as the rebuild has neared completion.

His portfolio includes Mantellina (cafe by day, pizza-loving trattoria at night) and all-day diner Lighthouse Lounge.

But it's Cape that is the resort's heavy-hitter, with a menu that draws on Mount Martha mussels, Main Ridge goat's cheese and local honey and hogget and the wine list flies the peninsula flag.

Pelham says corn-fed chicken with sweet corn, charred lettuce, baby onions and jus gras is already proving a hit with guests, a diverse crowd that includes both RACV members and destination diners.

Architects Wood Marsh have used granite and tan leather for the dining room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the resort's golf course. There are also two private dining rooms seating 20.

Open daily 6pm-9pm.

RACV Cape Schanck Resort, Trent Jones Drive (via Boneo Road), Cape Schanck, 03 5950 8038, racv.com.au/travel-leisure/racv-resorts