Nodo has launched its Christmas-themed doughnut series
You know the festive season is here when an abundance of Christmas-inspired treats start flooding the market. Of all of the sweets that become available at this time of year, Nodo’s holiday range is always at the top of our list. This year the gluten-free empire is whipping up a six-strong selection of themed doughnuts (that are, as always, baked and not fried) that are available in store or online. The range includes the vegan reindeer doughnut (dark chocolate, sour cherries and cherry jam), a white Christmas doughnut (raspberries, cherries, coconut and gluten-free rice bubbles), and a passionfruit pavlova doughnut (passionfruit, passionfruit glaze and torched meringue). In addition to the doughnuts, Nodo is also selling a chocolate liquor-soaked Christmas pudding, filled with golden raisens, prunes, currents and dates. Head to the Nodo website for more info!

Lune’s December specials
Lune Croissanterie is getting into the festive spirit this month, dropping a clutch of limited-edition specials available throughout the month of December. Leading this batch of buttery beauties is a Christmas pudding filled with brandy caramel, brandy-soaked fruit cake and brandy pastry cream, then finished with a sliver of candied orange peel and a sprinkling of fresh nutmeg. Joining the pud on the specials list is a twice-baked pavlova croissant, a mango, lime and tajin cruffin and a margherita pizza escargot. These bad boys – plus Lune’s usual line-up of mouthwatering treats – can be nabbed from the croissanterie’s South Brisbane and Burnett Lane stores.

Midtown’s festive martini flight
When we think of Christmas, we don’t often think of martinis. NYC-inspired Fish Lane bar Midtown is looking to change that. All through December, the Midtown crew will be shaking and stirring up a trio of Christmas-inspired martinis, all of which can be enjoyed individually or as part of a trio flight. Ornament lovers will get a kick out of the Orna-martini (made with Ketel One vodka, cranberry, lime and bitters and served in a bauble), while those with a sweet tooth are sure to love the Candy Cane Martini (boasting Absolut Vanilla vodka, candy cane-infused vodka and creme de menthe). Finally, Midtown’s Gingerbread Espresso Martini is a lightly spiced number that takes an espresso martini recipe and punches it up with Ketel One vodka, Kahlua and gingerbread syrup.

Harajuku Gyoza’s Christmas-themed dessert baos
The festive season is the best time of year for lovers of sweet treats. If you’ve got a particularly potent sweet tooth, then Harajuku Gyoza’s dessert baos are probably something you’re already well acquainted with. This Christmas the Harajuku crew will be adding a holiday-themed twist to its dessert baos specials, adding three new flavours to its menu over the end-of-year season. Here’s what’s on offer – a deep-fried and sugar-dusted bao bun is stuffed full with a sizeable scoop of ice cream before being coasted in a liberal drizzle of gingerbread, pavlova or rum ball sauce. These bad boys are available for a limited time only, so get in quick before they vanish like Santa in the early hours of Christmas Day.

Dark Green at The Green
Popular Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast and lunch spot The Green is bringing back its after-dark dinner event Dark Green for a night of woodfired fare this Friday December 1. The Green’s head chef Dan Anderson will be pulling out all of the stops, delivering a menu that will feature unexpected combinations of seasonal ingredients and artisanal accoutrements, including kangaroo nayeh with fermented hot sauce and sunflower emulsion, spiced rotisserie-cooked lamb shoulder, and grilled white asparagus with barberry and almond. Tickers to Dark Green are going for $65 per person, with seatings available from 5:30 pm onwards. Head to The Green’s website to snag a spot!

Clarence’s Turducken Family Christmas Feast
Ever had a turducken? It’s a ludicrous dish that sees a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, which is then crammed into a deboned turkey. Yep, three in one. It’s not easy to make, especially if you don’t like getting your hands dirty. The kitchen crew at Clarence certainly don’t mind – in fact, the Woolloongabba neo-bistro is making the three-bird roast the centrepiece of its new Christmas lunch box, which you can order now for a memorable festive repast. This one-of-a-kind banquet not only gives feasters a juicy turducken to carve into, but also a suite of starters like Moreton Bay rock oysters, Mooloolaba prawns with Russian dressing, glazed pork-belly ham with green-bean chutney, green bean and white peach salad and parker rolls. For a fitting festive touch, the box comes with a Christmas pudding for dessert, but you can also add on a caramelised apple, cherry and port trifle, if you think you’ll still have room for more. Head to the Clarence website for the full menu details and ordering information.

Rosé Five Ways at WET Deck
Either served fresh from the fridge or in a frozen slushie format, rosé is one wine that is absolutely a must for summer. W Brisbane’s iconic rooftop pool bar WET Deck is turning into rosé central between Wednesday November 15 and Sunday February 25 for Rosé Five Ways, a tipple takeover curated in partnership with Whispering Angel Rosé. WET Deck has been transformed into an elegant pink-hued wonderland, boasting sun umbrellas, vibrant floral arrangements, cushy furnishings and gorgeous glassware filled with five kinds of rosé-infused drinks. There’ll be rosé spritzes, icy frosé, eye-catching rosé cocktails, jugs of rosé sangria and plenty of wine on hand, as well as light bites like three-cheese arancini with capsicum jam and bay bug sliders with salmon caviar and herb aioli. There will also be more substantial eats, including New York striploins with fries, chipotle-chicken tacos with Baja slaw and miso and tuna poke bowls. Got a gaggle of mates you’d like to party with? WET Deck has packages for groups, including bookable semi-private areas on the terrace that comes with a magnum of rosé, scores of oysters and share plates served by dedicated hosts. Head to the W Brisbane website for more information!

Deck The Halls at Ruby, My Dear
We love it when a bar hosts a Christmas-themed celebration. But if you ask us, most spots don’t go hard enough on the tinsel and baubles. If you agree, then you’d best clear your calendar between Wednesday November 22 and Christmas Eve, as izakaya and vinyl bar Ruby, My Dear will be transformed into Santa’s grotto for Deck The Halls – a month-long celebration of all things Christmas. The bar’s normally chic interior will be bedecked in all sorts of vibrant holiday decor, setting an appropriately festive scene for sipping and snacking. Speaking of which, Ruby, My Dear’s bar team will be pouring from a themed cocktail menu called The Naughty List, featuring eight libations including the likes of Santa’s Slipper (a take on the classic Japanese Slipper) and a Christmassy riff on Ruby’s own Hard Boiled Wonderland. Plus, there’ll be loads of Jingle Juice (boozy punch served in Christmas mugs), eggnog (of course) and glasses of sparkling shiraz. Got a friendsmas that needs a location? Groups can book in for a special feast menu boasting the likes of prawn cocktails, Ruby’s fried chicken, roasted pork belly and a Japanese-inspired Christmas cake (plus Christmas crackers for that extra-festive touch). Meanwhile, Ruby’s roster of DJs will be breaking out a selection of Christmas vinyl to keep the vibes on point all month long (we’re hoping that The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album will get a spin). Bookings can be made via the Ruby, My Dear website. 

Joe’s Deli launches catering
With a bunch of celebration-worthy events looming just around the corner, Joe’s Deli is looking to make putting on a spread much, much easier with its newly launched catering offering. Office parties can go from fizzle to sizzle with a platter of Joe’s Deli’s famous sangas, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eaters amply catered for. Groups can opt to order a box filled entirely with their favourite sandwich – we’re talking Joe’s original deli sambos, Sicilian chicken rolls and hot wagyu pastrami-filled hoagies – or get a mix of classics for good measure. In great news for those that can’t look past a cheeky side, catering packages can also include crisps, pickles and a decadent Hollywood two-tone cheesecake. Pick-up is free from Joe’s Deli’s Brisbane City and Pacific Fair locations, with 48 hours notice required on all orders. Head to the Joe’s Deli website to browse the catering offering and be sure to email the link to your boss for the next time an office party is planned.

Spread has a new head chef (and a new menu)
There’s some exciting new changes taking place at Camp Hill’s much-adored neighbourhood pizzeria, Spread. For starters, it has welcomed new head chef Shannon Burman, a hospitality veteran whose resume includes a nine-year stint as sous chef at Julius Pizzeria in South Brisbane, as well as Soho House in New York City and Babington House in the UK. In addition to perfecting Spread’s range of hand-stretched pizzas, Shannon has overhauled the menu with the likes of rotating seasonal pastas (including orecchiette with fennel cream and breadcrumbs), plus new starters, snacks and desserts. Tempted to pop in and try the new offering? Spread still hosts its wildly popular BYO nights on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, if you need a bit more of a nudge. Make a booking via Spread’s website.

Lloyd’s Apartment
Ever wanted to treat yourself to a staycation with in-room dining taken care of? The crew behind Lloyd’s General Store on the fringe of Fortitude Valley has you covered. Owners Elizabeth and James Lloyd has converted a connecting residence into Lloyd’s Apartment – a heritage unit that has been lovingly renovated and boasts French linen in the bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, small work space and bright sunroom. Lloyd’s Apartment guests can enjoy dinner and drinks privately in the dining room on Friday and Saturday nights, with the  Lloyd’s General Store menu offering the likes of smoked kangaroo loin, duck a l’orange and cheese and charcuterie platters. Bookings can be made via AirBnB. Additionally, Lloyd’s General Store is once again open between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday to Friday for coffee, breakfast bites and lunch.

Cartel Del Taco launches a new menu
Although tacos are in the name, Cartel Del Taco also nails a host of Mexican specialties. Hawthorne’s perpetually buzzing taqueria has just updated its menu with a bunch of appetising new dishes, ranging from the hearty beef huarache (a handmade, deep-fried corn tortilla topped with beans, succulent rib fillet, nopales, peanut piquin salsa, ricotta and coriander), the Kay Ceviche (goldband snapper ceviche with octopus, leche e tigre, kiwi, jalapeno, lime, onion, avocado, and chile piquin – served with corn chips), carnita asada, and the prawn cocktail (a glass goblet filled with prawns, mussels, octopus and avocado, available with a ice-cold Corona stuck into it for good measure). The newness doesn’t stop there – Cartel Del Taco’s cocktail menu has some new additions, including a mango margarita and the La Chula – a refreshing concoction boasting watermelon, 818 Reposado tequila, cointreau, chilli, lime, Peychaud’s Bitters and chamoy rim. Fans of Cartel Del Taco’s street-food signatures (including the al pastor tacos (with marinated pork freshly shaved of the TROMPO, pescadillas and elotes) needn’t worry – you’ll still be able to get all of your faves.

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