There's a lot happening in Brisbane these days, almost too much to keep up with. The Dish is a rapid-fire rundown of Brisbane food news – quick taster-sized tidbits to keep you in the know and, perhaps, tickle your tastebuds. This week we've got word of a two-day barbecue and beer celebration, $1 oyster feasts, bottomless margaritas and more! more
As we approach the middle of the year, we get ever so close to those precious months where wearing our thicker coats is not seen as obscene. Winter is nearly here, and with it comes the return of Customs House's annual mid-year pop-up. As always, the riverside venue has teamed up with Veuve Clicquot to create a luxe cold-weather wonderland complete with belly-warming eats, cosy igloos and endless glasses of effervescent champagne. more
As much as we love inhaling serves of spaghetti, tonnes of tortellini and copious amounts of cannelloni, we can’t even begin to classify ourselves as pasta experts until we’ve actually learned the basics of pasta making. Let’s be honest, homemade pasta is infinitely better than packet portions, but relying on YouTube tutorials and convoluted recipes isn’t the way to master the art. If you’re going to learn, you might as well learn from the best. Joedy Kyle of Joedy’s Cafe is teaming up with good pal and world-class pasta meastro Dario Manca to host 20 weeks of intimate, hands-on specialty pasta-making classes at Joedy’s New Farm eatery starting from Sunday June 7. Here’s what you can expect … more
Amid all of the uncertainty and fear we're experiencing during the coronavirus pandemic to date, there's one thing we can count on – wine! When it comes to banding the local community together and putting a positive spin on circumstances, the team at City Winery are getting inventive. On Thursday March 26 and Friday March 27, City Winery will host a pop-up cellar door on King Street, giving locals easy access wine and charcuterie while also supporting other local businesses. more
After its huge success in 2019, Howard Smith Wharves’ pop-up dining series At the Table is back, bringing with it a talented roster of chefs ready to exhibit their respective culinary artistry. On Monday March 23, four local foodie legends will provide prospective feasters with an exclusive dining experience, featuring a mouth-watering three-course menu made live on the terrace under the lights of the Story Bridge. Go ahead, pull up a chair. more
As we've grown older, our house-party tastes have become a bit more refined. Gone is the goon of fortune, now we're drinking natural wines. We're more inclined to slowly sip on a craft beer instead of shotgunning it, and we've also turned the Ministry of Sound bangers down in favour of a more diverse playlist of tunes. Don't get us wrong – we still love house parties, they just don't happen as often as we'd like. Thankfully, the folks behind creative studio After Hours and Coorparoo's Perch’d are teaming up for a series of vibey house parties, kicking off on Monday March 9. Expect primo organic cask wine (some party traditions never die), chippy sangas and killer tunes curated by Brisbane selectors. Come along – just don't disturb the neighbours. more
Picture this – you’ve got a buttery bug-and-crab roll in one hand, a booze-filled young coconut in the other, while a bowl of crinkle-cut fries with vinegar (just like the ones you devoured as a kid) is strategically placed within arm’s reach. The sun is kissing you – it’s not scorching, but it’s just enough to get you thinking about the frozen rum-spiked popsicle that you just ordered and whether you’ll have time for a quick dip in the pool before it arrives at your plush cabana. Sounds like a fairytale, right? It’s not. You can find yourself in that exact situation right now at QT Gold Coast’s newly launched poolside precinct, The Spring. more
If you've ever found the experience of getting the girls (and guys!) together for a little pre-party pamper is actually more fun than the festivities themselves, Brooklyn Beauty Bar's brand new party menu is right up your alley. It brings together all the best parts of getting ready, except with professional beauty treatments and gin – because everything is better with gin. more
If tacos and tequila are two of your favourite things, go right ahead and clear Tuesday October 22 from your diary. Byron Bay's adored Mexican eatery Chupacabra is joining with Brisbane's Botero for a mouthwatering exploration of Mexican cuisine for one night only. more
One of France's famed boutique champagne houses is kicking off a month-long multi-sensory art and culinary series this week when it takes over part of the Emporium Hotel in South Bank. The Art of the Wild champagne garden pop-up program is flush with artisanal experiences, establishing The Terrace's VIP dining room as the place to be for gourmet high teas, dessert tastings, painting masterclasses and champagne sampling. more
Not only is the crew at Milton's craft beer and Peruvian-eats focused bar Mongrel known for hawking some damn tasty eats and drinks, they've also got hearts of gold. Last week the team launched the Mongrel Good Food Project, an initiative that aims to equip asylum seekers with skills in hospitality to improve job prospects and ease social isolation. The project is culminating in a special one-off dinner on Monday September 23, where these hard-working individuals will put their new skills on display. more
A wave of excitement rippled through Brisbane's dining scene last month when it was announced that heralded young chef Louis Tikaram would be returning to Australia to helm the kitchen at Stanley, down at the Howard Smith Wharves. Louis is wasting no time in making a great first impression – the chef will be hosting a pop-up dinner on Thursday September 26, giving guests a taste of the Cantonese-inspired fare he'll be whipping up come Stanley's opening in October. more
There are a few key fundaments to celebrating the end of winter and start of spring. Outdoor activities, getting back to the beach, afternoon picnics – we immediately conquer most of these essentials once the warmer-weathered months return to the city. We also tend to find ourselves a little more inclined to a couple of social drinks (can you blame us?). You probably already have a faithful list of outdoor bars ready to revisit this spring, but there should always be room to try something new, and we know just the thing! more
Bondi’s iconic restaurant Icebergs will help line bellies in the most delicious way possible at this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival. more
Some of the best makers in the food and beverage industry – the bakers, preservers, growers, winemakers and brewers who toil hard behind the scenes – will be sharing their wisdom in a series of monthly long-table dinners in Manly. more
Gerard’s Bistro will once again host one of the most renowned voices in Japanese cuisine for a five-course banquet paired with wine and sake. more
Brisbane’s always had a strong musical heritage, dating back to the days of The Saints and The Go-Betweens, through to the heyday of Powderfinger, Savage Garden, George, The Grates and the current crop of stars such as Violent Soho, The Jungle Giants, Mallrat and Cub Sport Brisbane’s live music scene is a melting pot of styles, with numerous venues dotted around the city hosting gigs on just about any given night. Our music scene is as healthy as ever, and if you’re keen to step out for a bit of rock‘n’roll, punk, jazz, blues or whatever catches your ear, have a look over this handy list of Brisbane’s best live-music venues and get amongst it. more
Whether you’re walking down the aisle, celebrating a milestone birthday or another massive life moment, you don’t want the memory tarnished by the fact your location didn’t match your dream. Brisbane is flush with top-notch function and event spaces, all of which are perfectly suited to housing just about any function you can envision. We’re not talking about the back room at your local pub here, we’re listing Brisbane’s biggest multi-purpose event venues. If you’ve got a big occasion on the horizon, check out this list and see if it’s got what you need. more
Can you hear that? It’s the sound of plates smashing, hands clapping, tender morsels sizzling and grapes being stomped on – yep, Paniriyi Greek Festival is back! As much as we appreciate the cultural aspects of this hotly anticipated yearly event, we would be lying if we said we haven’t been dreaming of all of the delicious Greek eats we will soon be scoffing. Oh, how we’ve missed our dear honey puffs and haloumi! While the classics are popular for a reason, real gourmands know that there is a whole other world of authentic culinary eats at Paniyiri that are well worth your attention. Keen to try something new? Take our foodie’s guide to Paniyiri for a spin (and BYO stretchy pants). more
If we’re being honest, every day deserves to be Mother’s Day. Why? Well, you never really get a day off from being a mum – it’s a 24/7 gig. That being said, Mother’s Day is still a great opportunity to tell your mother how much she means to you. Of course, every mum is different and we can’t tell you what would be the most appropriate gift to give her this year (naturally, you’ve already given her your unending love). We can help make the choice easier, though! This year we’ve put together a nifty gift guide for different kinds of mums – from the mothers that enjoy the finer things in life, to those that rarely slow down. This one goes out to all the mothers, young and old. We wouldn’t be here without you! more
