Stanbuli chef announced as star of new Nomad restaurant Beau

After closing Stanbuli in April following a six-year run, the big question has been what's next for the owner of the hatted Enmore restaurant, Ibrahim Kasif?

Well, it can finally be answered. He's headed to upcoming Nomad spin-off Beau.

The Nomad team and its group executive chef Jacqui Challinor are big fans of Kasif, even holding a Christmas party at Stanbuli.

The feeling is evidently mutual, with Kasif telling Good Food he's excited to collaborate with Challinor, who he says shares a similar food philosophy. "I admire her a lot," Kasif says.

Beau, which Good Food revealed last year is headed into 52 Reservoir Street, just a block away from Nomad, in Surry Hills, will include Beau Bar and Beau & Dough in the 100-seat venue.

"[Beau Bar] will be moody and hidden and have a contemporary menu featuring heavily around luxury seafood on ice – expect a Beau seafood platter," Kasif says.

The venue will make a signature of manoush, the Lebanese flatbread. Challinor, clearly thrilled to land a chef "who just gets real food", explains manoush is central to the Beau & Dough DNA.

"Manoush has always been something that has held a special place in our hearts at Nomad, so when the site came up it was a no-brainer," she says.

"I've always had a really keen interest in creating a more casual offering but still utilising the same good quality Aussie produce that we've become known for."

That extends to the wine list, which will have a strong local flavour.

The eat-in and take-out Beau & Dough will offer manoush with zaatar and cheese, as well as spiced lamb.

Even Beau doesn't live on manoush alone, with falafel, fried cauliflower and zhug (Yemenite hot sauce) headed to the menu. Coffee will be a collaboration with its Reservoir Street neighbours Single O, which is roasting a Beau & Dough house blend.

Co-owner Rebecca Yazbek says the concept for Beau grew during their nearly 10-year run at Nomad.

"We have always lived and worked in the area and thought what we'd like to see is manoush and a wine bar," she says.

"We like to think of this as Nomad's cool little sibling, exhibiting all the family values but like all third children, a little cooler, a little funkier, a little freer to find its own identity."

Beau is scheduled to open in October, with a Smart Design Studio fitout. It will also have a rooftop space.