This week find out about
- raw food in Brisbane
- new beer/bar restaurant
- two new Riverside restaurants
- great Japanese food deal
- Australia's oldest food and wine festival
Be more rawsome
What's the catch? Well the upside is your pots and pans get a rest because you'll be living in the raw world. Amanda Brocket, founder of The Raw Food Kitchen, is coming to town with a two day raw food extravaganza workshop at the Brisbane Markets.
This food movement which is gaining momentum is all about eating unprocessed, unrefined, cold-pressed foods, never heated about 44C. This means the living enzymes in the food remain intact so that your body can easily digest and assimilate every nutrient. The benefits claimed are abundant energy, glowing health and a happy heart.
The workshop is scheduled for May 24 and 25. Find out more here. There's a discount if you book before April 24.
More charm for Brisbane
Named after the infamous, yet charismatic, rogue convict-turned brewer James Squire, The Charming Squire will open in Grey Street, South Bank later this year.
It's a collaboration between Brisbane's Mantle Group and brewers James Squire and promises an interactive venue design and service style that will encourage customers to become intimately acquainted with the brewing process and explore flavours and styles.
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| Mantle Group Director Godfrey Mantle |
Mantle Group director Godfrey Mantle says the venue will include a dining experience with the group's executive chef Deniz Coskun (former head chef at Brett's Wharf and Tank Restaurant) at the helm. Expect a cooking style that involves coal-fired pits. Here's where to check on the progress of The Charming Squire.
Two new restaurants at Riverside Quarter
Showcasing the flavours of modern China with a Cantonese influence, The Imperial is set to open next Wednesday (April 16). The flavours are promised to be delicate, aromatic and fresh with seafood a strong element.
Heading up the kitchen are three former Hong Kong chefs famed for their specialities. Executive Chef Raymond Wu's signature dishes are Peking Roasted Duck, Wok Fried Seafood (Hong Kong Shelter style) and Steamed Seafood in XO sauce; Sou Chef Mr Chiu specialises in Sichuan and Shanghai cuisine while Dim Sim Chef John Leung's signature Prawn Dumpings, Xiao Mai and Shanghai Pork Dumplings are famed.
And there's more - opening in late May will be Navala Churrascia. The restaurant is still shrouded in secrecy but the tips are that this place will 'set Brisbane on fire' introducing a new taste-driven style and service to he city.
Don't know where the Riverside Quarter is? It's the new moniker for the culinary collective that is rapidly multiplying down in Eagle Street around the Riverside Centre. Think Jellyfish, Friday's, Little Singapore, Pig 'N' Whistle, and Blackbird.
Family fun at Sono
Get them while they are young is the new mission from Sono Japanese Restaurant at Portside. They've introduced Family Fun Banquets that deliver a three course menu packed with Japanese favourites including edamame, california sushi rolls, pork gyoza and crab meat cream croquettes.
It's available Wednesday to Sunday until 31 May for $45 for adults and $25 for children (3 to 12 years of age). Don't forget to book and you don't have to be a family or have kids to use the deal - promise.
Sono Brisbane City in the heart of the CBD on the Edward Street corner of the Queen Street Mall also have a great deal. They are now open for lunch on
weekends and until the end of April, they are offering their signature Bento
Box for just $18 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Australia's Oldest Food and Wine Festival?
Have we really only been enjoying food and wine festivals for 30 years? The good folk at South Australia's Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend think so and have proclaimed their festival Australia's oldest.
Which ever way you look at it, this is bound to be a great weekend with plenty of opportunity to taste some special Clare Valley Rieslings. It runs from May 16 to 18 (an unfortunate clash with many Queensland festivals) and includes 24 wineries showcasing their wares. Head to the Clare Showgrounds to try more wines at the Gourmet Hub. Find out more at Clare Valley Winemakers
Kerry Heaney