If you haven’t found Brisbane’s newest dining destination yet, it’s time you took the big step across McLachlan Street from James Street in Fortitude Valley and found M&A.
Laing O’Rourke's first major mixed use development in Australia, the $250 million M&A includes residential, commercial, retail, a large walk through ‘lane way’ public space and commissioned artworks. I saw one of these art works suspended over the lane way. To this food lover’s eye it looked like an oversized turkey big enough to feed a small nation.
The development includes 12 levels of offices and 21 levels of one and two bedroom apartments and is bounded by Ann, Connor, McLachlan and James Streets. The lucky residents have a private rooftop recreation deck with a 20 metre pool, gardens and barbecue.
However I’m more interested in the ground level food/bar tenants who are bringing new blood to this end of the Valley.
So what have we got?
Mighty Mighty –cue and brew
This is the brainchild of co-owners Simon O’Brien and Clayton Burns with chef Adam
Herbert overseeing the American barbecue smokehouse menu. Expect melt-in-the-mouth grilled meats, boutique brews, smoked cocktails and snifters of fine whiskey.
Papa Jack’s
Well-known Brisbane restaurateurs Emily and Marco Nunes who brought us much loved and multi-award winning Canvas Cocktail & Wine Bar at Woolloongabba have opened this New Orleans inspired bar and restaurant. It serves Creole cuisine from breakfast through to dinner with chef Grant Skinner, ex Libertine at Paddington Barracks, heading up the kitchen.The cocktail and drinks list is one to check out as is the live jazz, blues, grassroots, R&B and soul by local musicians.
4evermen
A destination for ‘all things Apple, Brisbane’s first 4evermen store is a fusion of men’s fashion, coffee and technology. Here you’ll find the top-selling iPad Air plus a wide variety of Apple and complementary I.T brands.
An upstairs ‘lounge’ room allows for one-on-one support where customers can try the latest technology, seek trouble-shooting assistance and even road test the latest Apple TV technology, all backed by onsite customer support. The high-tech iCafe has free Wi-Fi and iPads just waiting for your browsing pleasure.
Locanda Osteria & Bar
A collaboration by the owners of two great Brisbane dining establishments – Woolloongabba's 1889 Enoteca and Southbank's Cove Bar and Dining. Expect authentic Italian food and wine with a primary focus on showcasing traditional dishes from various regions throughout Italy.Stellarossa
Cafe franchise creators Darren Schultz and Phil Cronin’s coffee and pizza bar will also offer pasta and gelato plus information on hot deals and happenings in the local area, news updates via an electronic community noticeboard and board games for visitors. There's also a dedicated concierge service to tenants living in the 21-level apartment tower above M&A Lane.Opening soon
- A Spanish-inspired restaurant known as Gordita from Brisbane restaurateur Jamie Webb who has Petrie Terrace covered with Peasant, Cabiria, Leftys). Spanish chef Alfonso Ales, ex Jonah’s, Sydney, will consult on Gordita’s menu with executive chef Shaun Hunt.
- An upmarket seafood, steak and mixed platter restaurant, Cucina as created by Chris Maggacis of Toscani’s
- An as-yet-unnamed Asian dumpling and sushi restaurant from Ginga and Bamboo Basket fame.
- More yet-to-be-announced restaurants and bars by February.
Best tip: There is some parking within the complex according to the signage
Bottom line: Plenty of new places to check out here.
Kerry Heaney