Bucket and Spade
Residents of Brisbane bayside suburb Wynnum will soon have a new watering hole to frequent with Bucket and Spade slated for development on Bay Terrace. The brainchild of Wynnum local Zoe Baxter, the idea for Bucket and Spade (named after the public artwork located in the heart of the suburb) was born out of Zoe’s frustration at Wynnum’s lack of quality hospitality options compared to the inner city. Shocked by how many locals leave the area on a weekend and looking to prove that the suburb has lots to offer, Zoe hopes to transform a corner tenancy into family-friendly hub that elevates other local businesses. In addition to a nautical aesthetic and a planned bar offering of cocktails, beers and wines, Bucket and Spade will also allow guests to BYO food from Wynnum’s diverse range of eateries. Zoe is currently in the early stages of council approvals, but rest assured we’ll have more information on this development as it is revealed.

The Massimiliano Mascia Series at Bacchus
If you cast your mind back to last year, you might recall that master Italian flavour-maker Valentino Marcattilii brought his insane culinary skills to Bacchus for a sold-out series of dining experiences (we’re still having dreams about his ravioli, to be honest). It seems that the Italian food gods have smiled upon us once again, this time gifting us with a visit from his nephew Massimiliano Mascia. Valentino handed over control of his Michellin-starred empire Ristorante San Domenico to Massimiliano back in 2013, keeping the flavour in the family while imbuing a new generation of technique into the mix. This visit marks Massimiliano’s Australian debut, which comes with an added level of excitement as he reunites with Bacchus Head Chef Massimo Speroni (who mentored under Valentino at Ristorante San Domenico back in the day). Massimiliano will be flexing his skills over a five-night residency exclusive to Bacchus, presenting a decadent four-course menu that showcases the finest local produce. Tickets are extremely limited – to secure your seat at the table, head to our Event Guide.

Urbane x MONA: Eat the Problem
The current trend of turning Australia’s invasive species into culinary cornerstones is gaining momentum thanks to the work of artist Kirsha Kaechele. Her advocacy for using invasive species in food and art is well documented in MONA’s brilliant multi-faceted exhibition and cookbook Eat the Problem, and on Thursday August 8 Brisbane City’s acclaimed restaurant Urbane will be hosting a special one-off dinner using the same principles. Urbane’s head chef Andrew Gunn will be basing a special five-course menu around the idea of re-contextualising invasive species as food, conjuring up dishes such as rabbit terrine, wild boar ragu, wild-shot venison tourte and dessert made with invasive blackberries (with paired wines to match). Spaces are limited, with bookings available for $195 per person or $440 per person including a signed copy of the Eat the Problem book. Head to the Urbane website or call 07 3229 2271 to book.

The Garden Bar at Baedeker
Constance Street’s old-world inspired wine and spirit bar Baedeker is undergoing a leafy sprucing. The sophisticated watering hole is revamping its outdoor area (formerly known as the Cuban Lounge), leaning further into its glamorous inspirations to open The Garden Bar. Echoing an old English garden-party aesthetic, The Garden Bar is described as an urban-styled oasis in the heart of the city. The space will be accessible from Constance Street via a set of industrial metal stairs, which will lead to a foliage-laden patio area. Once guests arrive, they’ll be able to sample Baedeker’s award-winning selection of hand-picked wines and cocktails, as well as the venue’s menu of share plates. The Garden Bar will be unveiled officially on Friday August 9.

City Winery x Terra Di Granito
More good news for the wine lovers amongst us – booming inner-city vino hub City Winery will be hosting Queensland outfit Terra Di Granito for its third cellar-door takeover. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 7 between 5:00–8:30 pm, winemaker Peter Wise will be spearheading free tastings of Terra Di Granito wines, all of which are made using fruit grown in the Granite Belt’s Ballandean region. If you like what you taste, the wines will be available to buy by the glass or the bottle.

The Locals Panel Series 
After hugely successful events focusing on Brisbane’s dining scene, independent design industry and sustainable fashion movement, The Locals Panel Series will return on Wednesday August 28 for the fourth and final event of 2019. This iteration of The Locals Panel Series will shine a light on the environmental impact of our food choices and how we can eat healthier, smarter and more sustainably. We’re excited to reveal the four panellists who will be joining us at The Bromley Room #2 at West Village to share their insight on sustainable food practices and eco eating – Jack Stone from Bee One Third, founder of Biome eco store Tracey Bailey and Alice Star and Phillip Garozzo, co-founders of Loop Growers. We’ll be revealing the final member of our panel in the coming weeks, but you can ensure your spot in the audience by purchasing a ticket now! Click here to nab yours (ticket cost includes a drink on arrival and complimentary nibbles), and get ready for a night of enlightening discussion on how we can change our consumption habits to better benefit the world.

If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].