While we're dreaming of holidays to the Baja California peninsula and fantasising about sipping margaritas on the beaches of Playa del Carmen, overseas travelling is still a pipe dream for now. Howard Smith Wharves is looking to offer a handy substitute much closer to home in the form of La Mexicana – a new Mexican-inspired pop-up slinging guac, lamb barbacoa and tequila from today, Friday February 26. more
Wine is a unique way to travel, particularly when you can’t. Grape varieties continue to be cultivated on Australian land, with rising interest in alternative strands that differ from the likes of your everyday pinot grigio. It makes for marvellous diversity and creative breadth for wine producers. For those of us who long to travel to regions out of reach, we can dream in our glass with produce that is both exotic and our own. more
When we heard that three hospitality veterans with combined experience working at the likes of Beccofino, Julius Pizzeria and Maeve Wine were teaming up for a new venture, you bet we sat up and took notice. That's right, the team behind Paddington newcomer Elementi boasts some serious chops, but what the crew is doing with its impressive skillset is what makes this Given Terrace arrival a must-try destination. Elementi opened for takeaway last week, offering a taster of the team's vision for Italian fare that's elevated via some multicultural twists, engaging experimental quirks and a hearty dose of personality. more
If you were put through the wringer in 2020, then you're more likely to subscribe to the 'new year, new me' mantra for 2021. Everyone deserves a fresh start after the year that was, but perhaps none more so than the team at Elska. The daring eatery made a splash when it opened in Wilston early last year before, well, you know – but now the restaurant is hitting its stride with a brand-new New Farm premises! Elska officially opened on Merthyr Road over the weekend, showing off its innovative amalgam of native-Australian ingredients and Scandinavian methodology, plus a considered wine list to match. more
Brisbane's craft breweries have carved out a unique niche in Brisbane's drinking and dining landscape, with many evolving into the go-to local for folks wetting their whistle on a weekend. Slipstream Brewing Co. in Yeerongpilly has established itself as one of these neighbourhood watering holes, luring in families and friendship groups with its range of sip-worthy sessionable beers. After more than four years of operation, Slipstream brewing has reached a threshold – it has become too popular to stay small, but too intrinsic to the community to pack up and depart for larger pastures. The Slipstream team has found a happy medium – taking over a neighbouring mechanic's warehouse, the crew has expanded its Yeerongpilly footprint, opening a spacious brewpub and beer garden with its own kitchen (and a larger bar, of course). The new-look Slipstream debuted last week – take a look inside… more
The bustling thoroughfare Lutwyche Road receives its fair share of peak-hour traffic, with commuters focussed on getting from A to B. Well, now there's a reason to slow down next time you're cruising along. Namu Cafe is a brand-new hidden gem tucked away just off the main road in Lutwyche serving specialty coffee and simple brunch classics – a perfect pit-stop pairing that's set to make the morning slog a bit more bearable. more
When it comes to sweet treats, our Kiwi friends sure know what's up. Plenty of New Zealand's cult-status confections have made their way to our shores, from Whittaker's Peanut Slabs and Cadbury Perky Nanas to Pascall Pineapple Lumps and of course, Cookie Time. In a tastebud-tantalising twist of events, McDonald's is taking your favourite baked beauty, mashing it up and pouring it over its universally adored soft serve to create a new ice-cream flavour – the Cookie Time McFlurry. more
The scorching midday heat, the smell of bug spray mixed with sizzling snags filling the air and a grumbling tummy getting louder as the minutes tick by – a Saturday arvo barbecue is an undeniable part of the quintessential summer experience. If you’re keen to pick up the tongs one coming weekend, we suggest ordering your next bevy of barbecue bites from Horizon Grazing – a paddock-to-plate experience that’s delivering ethically raised meat straight to your door. more
I felt compelled to write their stories in case others wanted to create a deeper connection with the wines these people make and why ...~ Olivia Evans more
From news of City Winery's forthcoming Eagle Street cellar door to Bowen Hills' new hub for all things coffee, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food 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 … more
Those who call the 4034 postcode home will be very familiar with Carseldine Central, a convenient shopping pit stop located just off Gympie Road. For the uninitiated, we think it's high time you take a stroll through the retailer haven, which is also bountiful with delicious dining destinations. From decadent dessert spots and authentic Italian restaurants to family-run caffeination stations and Asian-inspired eateries, there's something to satisfy even the most hard-to-please palate ... more
When it comes to variety, flavour and crowd-pleasing potential, you would be hard-pressed to find cuisine as beloved as the Chinese variety. From sizzling hotpots, saucy vegetables and pillowy-soft dumplings to mountains of rice and deep-fried chicken feet, Chinese food has the ability to satisfy a diner's tastebuds and curiosity simultaneously – it just depends on what vibe you're chasing. Forget the food-court bain-marie honey chicken – we've done the research and searched far and wide to find the best authentic Chinese restaurants in Brisbane. So get your chopsticks ready – there’s a Chinese restaurant nearby just waiting to feed you! more
On Monday February 22, Fortitude Valley's newest accomodation arrival Hotel X will open its doors to guests. On the same day, the award-winning group behind restaurants such as Donna Chang, The Boom Boom Room Izakaya and Blackbird Bar & Grill will lift the cloche on its brand-new Parisian-inspired restaurant and lobby bar Bisou Bisou. We've been given an advance look at the restaurant's mouth-watering menu, which blends the indulgent flavours of French cuisine with some quintessentially Queensland touches. Take a look inside ... more
As folks gradually start to trickle back into The City in greater numbers, the inner-city dining scene is starting to build up momentum once more. Arriving just in time to cater to the spike in the local lunch rush is Cheeky Poké Bar, which is opening its brand-new location today, Thursday February 18. Tucked away off Elizabeth Street in the newly revamped Ulster Lane, Cheeky is serving its range of protein-loaded poke bowls, wonton tacos and salivation-worthy snacks via a slick grab-and-go friendly format. more
The Luigi's Italian crew has been a fixture on Hardgrave Road's dining strip for years, luring in tastebuds thanks to its envelope-pushing take on Italian fare and with its recent foray into Mexican cuisine at Mama Taco, a few doors down. This year sees the team returning its focus to its Italian roots, transforming the Luigi's space into Mario's – an enticing dining and street-side aperitivo spot taking a contemporary approach to the storied cuisine. more
There are few meals more satisfying than a big ol’ juicy burger. Whether you like them stacked or simple, this famous two-handed food is universally adored for a reason – and through the countless variations we have encountered in our travels around Brisbane, we have adopted some clear favourites. From tried-and-true local stalwarts to the craziest creations, we’ve rounded up the best burgers in Brisbane for you to wrap your laughing gear around – and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. more
For many (including us), coffee is a non-negotiable part of the morning routine. Whether you need it to roll out of bed, shake the incessant brain-fog or you're more of a mid-arvo sipper, there's a new brew that's guaranteed to give you a little extra kick with your caffeine. Now that we've got your attention, allow us to introduce you to the Octane blend by Beforeyouspeak Coffee. more
When we're on a health kick, usually the first indulgence we cut out is dessert, and the unequivocal queen of sweet treats is ice-cream. If you simply cannot quit the frozen delicacy (we are in the same boat, by the way), we've just caught wind of a new iced goodies range that ranks a bit better when it comes to ~ health ~. Enter Gelatissimo's new gelato with benefits range, a trio of superfood flavours that won't completely ruin your 'new year, new me' resolutions. As long as you can restrain yourself to two scoops or less, that is. more
From news of Wandering Cooks' forthcoming relocation to an update on Cheeky Poké Bar's inner-city expansion, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food 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 … more
After a staggered-yet-steady revitalisation process that has transformed Foresters Hall building on Brunswick Street, the team behind La Costa Bar, Cielo Rooftop Bar and La Valle has today – Friday February 5 – unveiled the final piece of the puzzle. La Costa Restaurant is the culinary hub's dining centrepiece, taking cues from the Italian coast for its seafood-heavy menu and relaxed Riviera-style interior. more
The humble kebab has been there for us on many a late night (or, technically, early morning). Long relegated as a last-resort feed used to line the stomach, the kebab is now making a comeback as an anytime dish. Spearheading this resurgence is the Gencerler Group, whose new hip hop-influenced Hendra eatery Kebab Kulture is putting some globe-spanning twists on the handy wrap. more
