New options
September 15th, 2011 by MH
Cabiria Wine Bar at The Barracks, Paddington.
Economic gloom? Tell that to Brisbane’s restaurant and bar scene, which is in the middle of a boom that shows no sign of ending. There have been countless openings in the second half of 2011 already, and there’s plenty more to come. Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list.
Restaurants that have recently opened:
Ole, South Bank
Opened: Yesterday (Wednesday, September 14).
What is it? A Spanish tapas restaurant.
Who’s behind it: Ersoy Isik, of Ahmet’s at Bulimba and South Bank; chef Gregory Cooke; manager Raqueline Fuentes.
The menu: Everything’s Spanish, from the breakfast menu to the kids’ menu. Classic tapas (patatas bravas, salt cod fritters) and more substantial raciones such as slow braised goat with white wine and almonds, or a paella for two, on the main menu; plus bar food and a good drinks list with sangria, sherry and Spanish beer/cider/wine. Go on Friday or Saturday to be entertained by flamenco dancers – but be prepared to just drop in as they don’t take bookings.
Details: Open daily, 8am-10pm Monday-Thursday; 7am-10pm Friday-Sunday. Phone (07) 3846 1201. Shop 12/13, Little Stanley Street, South Bank (where Star Cafe was).
Malt Bar and Dining, CBD
Opened: Mid-year.
What is it? A fine diner and small bar.
Who’s behind it: Nick Pinn (of Glass Bar) and Laurie Rogencamp.
The menu: In the restaurant, hearty classics such as soubise fish pie or duck breast with braised cotechino, corn pudding, bean puree and cavalo nero, followed by apple tart or creme brulee. In the bar, try oysters, pate or buttermilk fried chicken with a cocktail or something from the serious drinks list.
Details: Open Monday-Friday 11am-midnight; Saturday 6pm-midnight; closed Sunday. Phone (07) 3236 4855. 28 Market St, Brisbane.
Bitter Suite, New Farm
Opened: Early September.
What is it? A ‘beer bistro’ focusing on local craft brews, serving mod-Oz share plates and the like.
Who’s behind it: Katherine and Braden Saunders.
The menu: It’s all about beer at Bitter Suite, on a site that’s had several incarnations over the years – the most recent being Coco Bella, which was bought by the Saunders a month ago. There’s four local craft beers on tap (from 4 Degrees, Stone & Wood, Blue Sky & Mount Tamborine Brewery), plus 25 mostly Australian bottles. An emphasis on share plates on the bistro menu.
Details: Open Tuesday & Wednesday 7am-10pm; Thursday 7pm-11pm; Friday & Saturday 7am-11.30pm; Sunday 7am-9pm. Phone (07) 3254 4426. 75 Welsby Street, New Farm.
The Brunswick Social, Fortitude Valley
Opened: End of August.
What is it? A late-night dumpling house and bar.
Who’s behind it: Lucid Laundry boutique owners Bianca and Tristan Dynes.
The menu: The perfect place to meet a group of friends, whether for dinner or at 2am. The menu of dumplings (some fried, some steamed) is $8 for everything, making bill-splitting a breeze; a few other nibbles like chips are from $3.50. Cocktails, wine and craft beer to drink.
Details: Open Wednesday & Thursday 5pm-midnight; Friday 5pm-3am; Saturday 4pm-3am; Sunday 4pm-midnight. Phone (07) 3252 3234. 367 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley (on the site of the former Lucid Laundry).
Cabiria Wine Bar, The Barracks, Paddington
Opened: Early September
What is it? A wine and oyster bar/luncheonette.
Who’s behind it: Jamie Webb of Peasant; head chef is Emlyn Thorrington.
The menu: There’s an oyster bar serving freshly shucked oysters and sashimi, matched with wines and Champagne; a ‘little plates’ menu with dishes for sharing, such as pate and baguette, salmon tartare and venison carpaccio; charcuterie; and sandwiches and salads (from a Reuben to the famed Harry’s Bar egg sandwich); a short, classic dessert menu and cheese.
Details: Open daily from 7am-late. Phone (07) 3368 2666. The Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Paddington.
Pescatore Wine Bar, CBD
Opened: Early September.
What is it? An Italian seafood-focused restaurant and bar.
Who’s behind it: A collective of owners; chef is Trent Robson, formerly of Belle Epoque.
The menu: Upmarket Italian with a focus on seafood and a good Australian-based wine list.
Details: Open for lunch (from midday) and dinner (until 10pm) Monday-Friday; dinner only on Saturdays. Closed Sunday. Phone (07) 3221 2217. 10 Felix Street, Brisbane.
What’s opening soon:
The major openings will be at a new dining precinct at South Bank, called River Bend (in an area near the Goodwill Bridge). There will be five new restaurants opening in stages for the rest of the year, including:
Cove Bar & Dining
Opening: The first in the precinct to open, set for early October.
What is it? A Champagne, oyster and cocktail bar and 50-seat restaurant.
Who’s behind it: Owner is Adam Barton; head chef Adam Herbert (formerly of Seasalt at Armstrongs) with Josh Ingils (formerly of Royal on the Park).
The menu: Creative and European-inspired – a focus on shared starters (beef carpaccio with a 62-degree poached egg and truffle mayo, or charred goat ribs with black garlic and Creme de Framboise glaze); with mains like Appleton rum & cola Berkshire pork belly with celeriac mash, roast pear, crackling and rum & cola jus.
The Stokehouse
Opening: Start of November.
What is it? Contemporary upmarket 120-seat Mediterranean restaurant, very similar to the original Stokehouse in Melbourne. The kitchen will be open until 11pm for late-night dining.
Who’s behind it: Owners Frank and Sharon Van Haandel; head chef Tony Kelly (formerly of Il Secondo and The Wine Bar on the Sunshine Coast) and Todd Adams as second chef (previously of The Euro and Urbane).
The Jetty South Bank
Opening: Unconfirmed, slated for November.
What is it? A seafood restaurant.
Who’s behind it: The team behind The Jetty and Liquorish, both on Bulimba’s Oxford Street.
Popolo
Opening: Unconfirmed, but expected by the end of the year.
What is it? An informal Italian restaurant, loosely based on Tuscan regional food.
Who’s behind it: Andrew Baturo of Libertine at The Barracks has teamed up with music manager Paul Piticco (of Splendour in the Grass and Powderfinger).
Left Bank
Opening: Unconfirmed, but expected by the end of the year.
What is it? A French restaurant.
Who’s behind it: Louise and Stuart Price, formerly of The London Club at Teneriffe. They’re also opening a bar/restaurant calledFrench Martini on South Bank’s Little Stanley Street soon.
And outside of the new South Bank River Bend precinct, there is:
Stockholm Syndrome Cafe Bar, Albion
Opening: Set for October 1.
What is it? A Swedish restaurant, cafe and bar.
Who’s behind it: Mark Fitzsimmons and Stockholm-raised Kim Larsson.
The menu: It’s a two-storey bar, cafe and restaurant that will be serving Swedish and Australian fusion food from breakfast to dinner. On the menu will be everything from gravadlax to Swedish meatballs, pytt i panna (a sort of Swedish hash) and Jansson’s Temptation, a potato casserole, plus sweets like ginger snaps and mazariner (Swedish almond tarts). Coffee will be from organic from Marvel Street Coffee in Byron Bay, exclusive to the cafe in Brisbane.
Details: 340 Sandgate Road, Albion (the former Ciao Baby site).
Harajuku Gyoza, Fortitude Valley
Opening: Slated for mid-October.
What is it: A bar and casual eatery dedicated to gyoza and beer.
Who’s behind it: Steve Minon and Matthew Bailey (gyoza obsessives who sold their creative ad agency Junior earlier this year); Esquire executive chef Ryan Squires is consulting.
Details: 394 Brunswich Street, Fortitude Valley (on the site of the former Mint Indian Gourmet restaurant).
