Aunty Oh’s Bia Hoi
After a controversial couple of weeks, Fortitude Valley eatery Uncle Ho has settled on a new, new name (it was Uncle Bia Hoi for a few days) – Aunty Oh’s Bia Hoi. The restaurant came under fire when the local Vietnamese community protested against the previous name and accompanying imagery, which referenced Communist Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh. The relaunch news was announced on Aunty Oh’s social media over the weekend, with the eatery remaining committed to plating up delicious Vietnamese-style street eats and ice-cold bia hoi beer.

French Bird 
It’s a busy first half of the year for restaurateur Jerome Dalton. Although he only opened his new eatery and champagne bar Blockhouse Eat + Drink last week, Jerome is already looking forward to his next projects. Late June will see the opening of French Bird in Milton, a licensed chicken rotisserie celebrating the humble chook. The Weekend Edition has also heard whispers (this is Pavement Whispers after all), that Jerome is part of a group that has purchased The Tivoli, saving it from development and allowing it to continue its life as a live-music and function venue. We’ll keep you posted on further information soon.

Nickel Kitchen & Bar 
If you’ve been wondering what might take the empty ground-floor spot at 757 Ann Street (home to Eleven Rooftop Bar), we have the answer. TJ and Kim Peabody of Nantucket Kitchen & Bar and NKB Express are opening their third venue, Nickel Kitchen & Bar. The restaurant and bar is inspired by TJ’s experiences accompanying his father – Craggy Range wines founder Terry Peabody – to business meetings in the golden era of food, wine and good times, and the venue will reflect the jovial nature of that era. Nickel will offer everything from boozy brunches through to late-night sips and snacks, alongside an impressive wine library of 250 Australian and international drops. The good times begin late April/early May – keep an eye on The Weekend Edition for details.

Mitch & Co.
Former Simpatico owner Mitch Thompson has a new project in the works – a bakery, patisserie and espresso bar named Mitch & Co. Set to open late next week, Mitch & Co. will sit on the lower-ground floor of Brisbane City’s MacArthur Central. The bakery will work with French bakery supplier Bridor to create its sweet and savoury delights, including baguettes, croissants, quiches and more. The grab-and-go will also serve takeaway Campos coffee, and cater to the inner-city office crowd with lunch platters.

Vintaged Bar + Grill vegan menu
We know what you’re thinking – isn’t Vintaged Bar + Grill a steak restaurant? You’re right. It is. But as Paula Abdul said so well, opposites attract, and sometimes carnivores and herbivores want to dine together. The restaurant has launched an entirely vegan menu with a selection of three entrees, mains and desserts, as well as red and white vegan wine. The current seasonal menu features truffle white polenta with exotic mushrooms, crispy kale and balsamic puffs, and 12-grain and pulse cauliflower risotto with roasted cauliflower, beetroot powder and shaved beetroot.

If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected]