Longwang
After months of eager anticipation, the Tassis Group has officially revealed the opening date for its newest dining destination, Longwang. The restaurant will open its doors to the public next Friday April 26, with the Edward Street eatery lifting the cloche on its unique custom-built laneway home. Spanning 3-m wide and 30-m long, the Clui Design-envisioned Longwang is shaping up to be one of Brisbane City’s most-unique dining concepts. Though narrow, the venue will boast a formal dining room, a number of flexible function spaces, a rooftop bar and cocktail lounge, and a fully equipped kitchen, which will be helmed by executive chef and partner, Jason Margaritis (who has previously worked at the likes of sAme sAme, Donna Chang and Melbourne’s Spice Temple). Jason will be putting his considerable culinary talents towards Longwang’s menu, which will blend traces of Chinese and East Asian cuisines – think bug tail kung pao, whole fried baby barramundi with dry red curry snake beans, tea smoked and fried half duck, and charcoal-grilled half chicken coated in a sweet-and-sour tamarind-infused satay sauce. Tassis Group beverage director and sommelier Ron Almera is overseeing Longwang’s list of libations, curating a wine list that balances new and old world, as well as a cracking cocktail offering. Bookings are now open for Longwang’s debut period – stay tuned for an up-close look inside in the coming weeks.

Allonda
Since opening in Newstead in 2022, Allonda has settled into a groove. At night, the striking modern-European-inspired restaurant is abuzz with folks spiralling their forks through serves of pork-and-fennel ragu fettuccine and cracking into the likes of Mooloolaba king prawns lathered in salsa verde butter. With nighttime trade well in hand, the Allonda crew is now turning its attention to the daytime. Back in February the restaurant launched a brunch offering to rapturous reception, and now the team has debuted a newly curated lunch experience to match. Looking to meet the demands of Newstead locals with a more approachable and affordable laneway kitchen experience, Allonda is now serving a range of takeaway and dine-in options for breakfast, brunch and lunch between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. In addition to breakfast faves like Dutch baby eggs Benedict, charred B.L.A.T. and the breakfast bowl, the enhanced offering (available from 11:00 am) features the likes of Mediterranean-style wraps, serves of silky squid-ink spaghetti, premium sirloin with frites, and a number of salads crafted using local produce. As always, snacks, large plates and wine are still available from 5:00 pm.

Augusta
This Friday April 19, an acclaimed Gold Coast-born Brazilian-inspired brunch spot and bar will be officially opening to the public. Located at Park Regis North Quay, Augusta will look to inject a dose of the lively energy of São Paulo to The City’s northern end. Offering Brazilian-style brunch every day from 7:00 am to midday and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 pm to late, Augusta is shaping up to be a spot to nab some salivation-worthy South American staples. Swing through in the morning for Augusta’s crepe-like tapioca pancakes (filled with your choice of savoury or sweet fillings), mortadella sandwiches, and chicken, prawn, mushroom and Heart of Palm pies. At night, Augusta’s kitchen switches to street food, including its famous hot dogs stacked with toppings – think mashed potatoes, creamy cheese, tangy ketchup and mustard. The evenings are also when Augusta’s curated drinks menu comes into play, with a number of signature Brazilian-inspired cocktails like the caipirinha (available in flavours of lime, strawberry, kiwi and passionfruit) on offer. Augusta will be celebrating its official launch with a grand-opening party on Friday April 19, featuring a live samba performance by Samba Paradise DJ Victor Lopez spinning tunes all night long.

Two Yolks and Finn Poke
In case you missed the news last week, South Bank will celebrate a massive double-header opening in May with the arrival of Two Yolks and Finn Poke. The orange-hued burger joint (famed for its brekkie burgers, old-school cheeseburgers, fried-chicken burgs and Cali-style smash burgers) and the Hawaiian-inspired poke joint (beloved for its poke bowls and tacos topped with responsibly fished, restaurant-grade sashimi and other locally sourced seafood) will be taking over the space previously home to Cowch Dessert Bar on Grey Street, with the site being split to accommodate a chic, 90-seat retro diner and a grab-and-go kiosk with footpath seating for approximately 60. Once open, both venues will serve their full respective menus (filled to the brim with sustainably sourced ingredients), but we’ve been told to expect a few surprises devised by executive chef partner Charles Olalia. Stay tuned for more!

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