Breakfast by day and bubbles by night at new champagne bar Blockhouse Eat + Drink
The effervescent tingle of champagne hitting your lips is usually the first sign of a pretty wonderful time. Unfortunately for us in the faraway land of Australia, by the time champagne hits our shores it can become a little too pricey to drink for every celebration. As a lover of the bubbly elixir, restaurateur Jerome Dalton believes that it’s time champagne was something to be enjoyed here on the regular – not just for special occasions.
Jerome Dalton is no stranger to fine food and wine – he’s the man behind Dalton Hospitality, Eat Street Markets’ USA BBQ and Bourbon Bar, Pop Productions dining events and Tasmania’s Pedder Wilderness Lodge. For his latest project, Blockhouse Eat + Drink, he’s bringing the people of Brisbane delicious provincial-style dishes, speciality coffee and a whole lot of champagne and sparkling wine. Sitting on a leafy corner in Nundah, Blockhouse is fresh and inviting, with classic touches of black tiled bars, lantern-style light fittings, and a grapevine that continues to weaves its path along the front deck. The space is split in two – the coffee machine and takeaway orders sit on the same side as the kitchen, while just across the deck diners can take a seat up at the bar, wriggle into the booth seating or grab a table.
During the day Blockhouse serves up its Toast & Oats menu until 2:30 pm, featuring the likes of ham hock, green puree, poached eggs and baguette, avocado with tomato salsa, fetta, herbs and sprouted bread, or soaked oats with stone fruit, berries, yoghurt and honey. Charcuterie runs throughout the rest of the afternoon, then from 6:00 pm the cafe becomes champagne bar and restaurant. The evening menu is simple yet interesting, with much of the produce sourced especially for Blockhouse. Small shares include duck crackling with mandarin marmalade, fried whipped potato, and cognac-glazed pork sausage by the metre (you can buy quarter, half and full metres) served with pickled walnuts, dijon and baguette. For something a little heartier, you can share proteins such as blackened beef brisket with corn salsa, or duck and Le Puy green lentil pie. Food this good should be celebrated, right? Clink glasses of Blockhouse’s champagne of choice, Collet, which won’t require you to re-finance your house for one bottle. You’ll also find a selection of Italian, Spanish, Argentinian, Australian and New Zealand sparkling, a full wine list and a couple of beers on tap. Oh, and did we mention all the food, day and night, can be taken away?
HEAD TO THE STREET PHOTOGRAPHER GALLERY FOR A CLOSER LOOK!
For opening hours and contact details, head to our Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
