Pavement Whispers: Vol 05 December 16
From whispers of new burger joints to Japanese nibbles, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
Blue Raven
The year 2014 will be remembered as the year of American-style dining. While you may think there isn’t much time left for any new openings this year, Blue Raven is aiming to sneak in when it opens its doors on Tuesday December 23. This Americana-themed eatery will be located on Grimes Street in Auchenflower, bringing more casual dining to Brisbane’s west. Ex-Beccofino bar manager, Mehdi Manavi, will operate the venue while Joel Kenny, formerly of Shouk Cafe, has come on board as head chef.
Motto Motto
Westfield Garden City has shrugged off any preconceptions of shopping centre dining with its recent makeover and the launch of new establishments such as Hatch & Co. and The Palms Mediterranean Bar and Grill. Motto Motto will soon join the Upper Mount Gravatt centre’s ensemble, sitting on Level 2 just around the corner from Event Cinemas, Hog’s Breath Cafe, Vapiano and Pancake Manor. Translating to ‘more more’, the restaurant will dish up a broad range of Asian cuisine, perfect for a quick bite before a flick or a mid-shop fuel-up.
Gyradiko
James Street regulars may have been wondering what would be filling the space left by Happy Little Dumplings in James Lane. Well the answer is finally here! Already established in Sydney, Gyradiko will be opening its second location in Fortitude Valley in the coming weeks, feeding hungry tummies with Greek gyros – think chewy grilled pita filled with your choice of chicken or pork, salad, tzatziki and chips, true to the traditional Greek style.
Burger Fuel
Just when you thought Brisbane’s burger scene couldn’t get any bigger, Fortitude Valley’s Emporium has welcomed a new kid on the block – Burger Fuel. Hailing from New Zealand and with additional franchises in Sydney and the Middle East, Burger Fuel quietly opened its first Queensland store yesterday, serving up gourmet burgers with shakes on the side. The auto-themed menu features beef, chicken, vegetarian and low-carb burgers (from the Low Carborator range), and well as creative sides including kumara fries with aioli and chicken tenderloins, known as Chicken Fenders.
Morning After
After a decade serving up fine Italian food, Dell’Ugo South Bank will be closing its doors in the new year, with its last night of trade on New Year’s Eve. But it is full steam ahead for Yianni Passaris and his mum Soula, who are busy working on their new project, Morning After. Serving up specialty coffee and eats for breakfast and lunch, the menu will feature fresh quality food, such as 60-degree eggs with asparagus and gourmet jaffles. Set to open mid-March next year, Morning After will be located beneath West End’s The Glass Factory apartments, with the fit-out designed by Alexander Lotersztain.
Can You Keep A Secret?
Ironically, one of Brisbane’s worst-kept secrets is how great Can You Keep A Secret? vintage store really is. Fans of the retro and vintage haven will be excited to learn that, after moving to Woolloongabba, store owners Ajanta Willert and Emily Moss found they had a little more room to play around with. Now the duo will be opening a retro-themed bar in the Stanley Street premises, serving drinks to thirsty thrift-shoppers. Plus, you can BYO food from next-door neighbour Vespa Pizza. The bar will hopefully be open in mid-to-late January – we hope the secret is safe with you.
If you’ve heard something that is worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].
Image via Jennifer Haslam.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.