Point Leo Estate is shaping up as one of the most potent restaurant propositions of 2017.

The multimillion-dollar sculpture park and restaurant, due to open on the Mornington Peninsula in late October, was already looking to be a force, having recruited Rockpool/Eleven Bridge chef Phil Wood. Now it has scored Ainslie Lubbock to manage both the main 110-seat Point Leo Restaurant, which opens next month, as well as the more intimate dining room, which will follow by the end of the year.

Lubbock is a force, with prominent runs on the floors of the Royal Mail Hotel, Cutler & Co, Attica and most recently Pei Modern. And while her wine knowledge is exceptional, sommelier Andrew Murch from Stokehouse will also be coming aboard, strengthening the team further.

The final silver lining: Lubbock's partner, chef Joel Alderson, recently executive chef at the Windsor, will join Wood as senior sous-chef in the wood-fire-fuelled kitchen. Watch out.

Point Leo Restaurant opens in late October at 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks, ptleoestate.com.au.