Clarence Corner has long been an important nexus of Brisbane’s inner-south suburbs. The history-laden junction of Stanley Street and Annerley Road seems to be reentering a golden era – established favourites like Can You Keep A Secret? and Brewhouse Brisbane will soon be joined by live-music hub The Princess Theatre and vego-friendly brunch spot Musketeers Cafe, helping to cement the area as a thriving culinary and cultural hub. Local fixture C’est Bon is looking to capitalise on the wave of activity (while also making the most of Brisbane’s superb near year-round climate) with its new rooftop addition Ooh La La. The brand-new extension completes the transformative renovation process C’est Bon’s previous owners Celine Damour and Peter Roefles instigated in 2019 resulting in Le Bon Bar, subterranean cellar and garden terrasse. Now executive chef and owner Andy Ashby is about to lift the cloche on the final piece of the puzzle, which not only boasts exemplary views of Woolloongabba’s surrounds, but also a designated bar and space for 45 patrons cocktail style. Ooh La La has been designed by Brisbane based architecture studio JDA Co., which worked within established heritage guidelines to give the rooftop its own distinct feel while still remaining congruent with the venue’s established elements and the building’s regal facade.

Naturally, a new rooftop bar calls for a fresh menu of bar snacks and sips to accompany. In suitably luxurious fashion, Andy is kicking off the nibbles list with bumps of Siberian and Oscietra caviar, Appellation oysters with green-tomato mignonette and potato rye blinis crowned with a dollop of creme fraiche and roe. From there Ooh La La’s menu traverses a multitude of French delights, including duck-liver parfait, confit suckling pig terrine and mussels with mouclade, chives and bottarga. Seafood also enjoys some time in the spotlight, with ‘ndjula brown butter Queensland prawns, Fraser Island crab with mornay sauce and kingfish crudo serving as our pick for any sun-soaked summer soirees. A selection of fromage and charcuterie boards round out Ooh La La’s offering, which will pair well with any of the restaurant’s top-shelf wines, but we reckon one of the new signature cocktails – like the Saint-Germain-des-Prés with gin, cucumber and elderflower – is tailor made to enjoy alongside a sunset or starry night sky.

Ooh La La will officially open to the public on Friday July 9 and will trade from 3:00 pm until late Friday to Sunday.