Pavement Whispers: Dark Shepherd, a new lamb-centric restaurant from Tassis Group, is coming to The Star Brisbane
The Terrace at The Star Brisbane is starting to fill up. Joining the dining precinct’s roster of restaurants is Dark Shepherd, a new Mediterranean-inspired venue from Tassis Group – the hospitality crew behind Longwang, Fatcow and Fosh. Here, lamb will be the centrepiece of the offering, with succulent woodfired morsels taking pride of place alongside freshly sourced seafood. Here’s what we know …
If ‘winning’ 2024 was a thing that was possible, Michael Tassis might be in the running for the top gong. The restaurateur has had a phenomenal year already, having opened two well-regarded restaurants in Longwang and Fatcow on James St, and soon his group will open Stilts and Mulga Bill’s on the Brisbane City end of Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. It’s a blistering run by any measure, but Michael’s not done.
In September, Tassis Group will open Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Dark Shepherd at The Star Brisbane, the centrepiece of Queen’s Wharf. Slotting in along The Terrace – The Star Brisbane’s restaurant precinct – Dark Shepherd will join the likes of Ghanem Group’s Lúc Lắc, Potentia Solutions Leisure’s Azteca and Gambaro Group’s Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro. Boasting interiors envisioned by long-time collaborators Clui Design, Dark Shepherd will cut a chic figure with a largely monochromatic colour scheme applied across a sunken dining room and private-dining space.
Dark Shepherd’s kitchen will be helmed by husband-and-wife team Vangjel and Dianna Jorgo, a talented tandem boasting experience at the likes of Brisbane’s Greek Club and Tassis Group’s riverside favourite, Opa Bar & Mezze. As Dark Shepherd’s head chef and sous chef, respectively, Vangjel and Dianna will oversee a menu featuring a broad Mediterranean focus, but with distinct Greek inflections. Lamb will be the prominent protein, with classic and modern dishes cooked over a woodfired grill. Like at Tassis Group’s other venues, seafood will continue to be a major area of focus, with a live oyster-shucking station expected to be an eye-catching fixture of the space.
“The Brisbane dining scene has entered a new and exciting time,” says Michael Tassis in a statement. “With new precincts and big names opening in Brisbane, especially at The Star Brisbane, we are so excited to be a part of it.”
Dark Shepherd will be opening in September – stay tuned for an up-close look inside in the coming weeks.
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