Brisbane’s dining choice explosion continues with a bumper list of May openings.
Here’s just some of your new options -
Gerard’s Bar, Fortitude Valley
Tucked behind Gerard’s Bistro, Gerard’s Bar is the new escape on James Street designed to make you lose track of time. With the sort of food and drink on offer that shouldn’t be too hard. Ben Williamson’s new bar menu includes artisan meats, house made salumi, and vegan and vegetarian charcuterie with fermented and baked vegetables. There’s a long bar with room for you.Paddington Deli & Epicerie
With the opening of her antique-inspired deli, Paddington Deli & Epicerie, Antoinette Pease is living the dream and escaping from the corporate world.
Taking over from much-loved Monty's Chocolates, Paddington Deli fills two shop fronts in the Paddington Antique Centre building with a collection of highly sought after deli items and a light meals offering.
Cowch, South Bank
Claiming to be the first in Australia, Cowch is opening on South Bank’s Grey Street as a dessert cocktail bar. It promises to be a low-lit, slinky bar oozing a combination of craft cocktails and devilishly decadent desserts. Cowch owner and founder Arif Memis says you’ll be able to customise your own ice-cream on a stick, with a quirky ‘naked pop’ innovation.
There will also be 22 flavours of super chilled yoghurt and a breakfast menu that includes churros, crepes and a fruit parfait. www.cowch.com.au
Ole Fuego, Indooroopilly
Promising authentic Spanish dining in a vibrant, electrifying atmosphere, Ole Fugo is set to open in the new dining precinct at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Expect the same sort of standard as you’ll find at Ole in South Bank with plenty of tapas and sangria.Kwan Brothers, Fortitude Valley
New from the fertile imagination of Brisbane's king of eclectic Damian Griffiths is Kwan Brothers, a late night venue which marries up the grit of an old Asian noodle factory with the crazy bling of Asian pop culture.
With disco balls, loud music and a long, well stocked bar, you could almost think you were in Bangkok except the lady boys are missing at Kwan Brothers. However there's no mistaking the origin of the food which brings the best of Asian street food, with a reassuring Australian touch, to our shores.
Nantuckett, Indooroopilly
Bringing a fresh touch of the Americas to downtown Indooroopilly, Nantucket Kitchen & Bar has opened on Station Road in part of the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre revamp.You have to go outside the centre to find it along with Harajuku Gyoza and Nitrogenie.
It's a venture from TJ and Kim Peabody with Paul McGivern as General Manager and Chris Sell as Executive Chef and the look is sleek and polished but with plenty of comfort. Think clean white walls, soft upholstered, comfy dark wood chairs, a separate double-sided bar, divided dining areas, and a private dining room.
Twig & Berry Cocktail Bar, Teneriffe
An interesting addition to Brisbane’s hidden bar genre, Twig & Berry brings cocktail love into what has been developing as a beer-lovers precinct. Look out for their ‘homemade bottled cocktails’ which will give you quick access to a perfectly balanced drink – bye bye bar queues.
Find this sneaky sucker on by the sign on Commerical Road and slink around the back through the red gate. You don’t have to knock three times but it might help.
Ribs & Burgers, Fortitude Valley
What will they be lining up for at James Street in Fortitude Valley on Thursday? Described as marriage of a retro butcher and a bistro diner, Ribs & Burgers is the home of secret sauces and basting mixes that developed a cult following in Sydney and Melbourne.
The meat, which is cut to order, is all free range, grass fed, anti-biotic and steroid free. Find it outside the Palace Cinema.
Cantina 817, Chermside
Bringing it to the burbs, Cantina is offering locals a chance to indulge with tapas planks, ramen noodle burgers, weiner dogs and grande nachos.
There’s also all-time faves such as big burgers and churrros on the menu. Owner Tina Bugeja says there are cocktails and craft beer available too. Find it at 817 Gympie Road.
Kerry Heaney