Pavement Whispers: Volume 337 December 7
From news of two new plant-based eateries to a viral market stall’s Brisbane pop-up, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
Omu
Fans of Japanese cuisine might already be familiar with omurice, but if you’re a novice when it comes to Nippon nosh, then let us bring you up to speed. The dish is comprised of a portion of fried rice, usually incorporating chicken, that is delicately topped with a fried egg omelette and a light drizzle of sauce. Omurice has become a viral sensation on social media and YouTube, and now the dish is making waves in Australia thanks to Omu – a Sydney-born pop-up stall that launched in December 2020 and quickly gathered a cult following with its interpretation of the mouth-watering meal. To celebrate its first anniversary, Omu is coming to Brisbane, collaborating with Harajuku Gyoza to open a pop-up at Harajuku Gyoza’s Albert Lane locale from Tuesday January 4. Omu will be in town for three weeks and will open for lunch (12:00–2:00 pm) and dinner (4:00–8:00 pm) from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends. Be sure to check out Omu’s Instagram page to gawk at the omelette-coated goodness.
PANCHA
Brisbane’s complement of plant-based eateries is set to grow before the year is out, with PANCHA (opening tomorrow Wednesday December 8 on Racecourse Road) set to be a welcome addition to Hamilton’s cafe scene. The venue is the brainchild of Sam Berge, who has teamed up with chefs Vince Mettagarunakul and Sumalee Aei to create a cosy plant-filled nosh spot that focuses on vegan eats. Sam, who was previously behind Little Digs in Fortitude Valley, is instilling a paddock-to-plate approach to his 35-seater’s menu, sourcing produce from farms in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt region for PANCHA’s offering. All-day brekkie bites like vegan pancakes with grilled bananas and whipped vegan butter and croffles topped with peanut butter and berry coulis will be joined by creamy mushroom and miso pasta, tofu and potato massaman curry, soba salads, felafel croquettes, and an assortment of sandwiches and wraps. Organic coffee will be supplied by Sacred Grounds, which will be available alongside fresh juices, smoothies and herbal tea. We’ll have an up-close look at PANCHA later this week!
Cinnamon & Co.
The good news continues for Brisbane’s vegan community – a new cafe specialising in plant-based goodness is in the works in West End and is targeting an early-January opening. Cinnamon & Co. is the bricks-and-mortar sibling of Wild Spice Kitchen, a roaming food truck that has been operating for five years (including a recent stint serving food at Paper Moon in Annerley). Owner and hospitality veteran Tasia Amber has decided that the time is ripe to open up a permanent cafe of her own, securing a two-level space on Hardgrave Road in West End (next to Little Red Dumpling and Mama Taco) to establish her new eatery. Cinnamon & Co.’s comfortable street-facing level will boast a Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic featuring plenty of timber, white walls and terracotta and rust-red accents, while the downstairs space will resemble a cosy trattoria-style area furnished with couches and tables for more relaxed socialising. The cafe’s menu will boast some crossover with Wild Spice Kitchen’s menu, with seasonal inspirations channelled into plant-based fare (made entirely in house from fresh ingredients) that aims to foster connections through food. Some Wild Spice favourites will feature, including the vegan mac ‘n’ cheese, tofu scramble served on a vegan croissant with hash browns and vegan aioli, and avocado on toast with seasonal accompaniments. Coffee Supreme will be supplying its beloved beans, with alternative milks provided by Happy Happy Soy Boy and Minor Figures. Once open, Cinnamon & Co. will look to open for brunch most days of the week and for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Check in early in the new year for our in-depth feature.
Nodo’s Christmas collection
You know how we know when it’s almost Christmas time? When we see a sharp increase in the amount of tasty treats popping up across town! Nodo – a titan of tantalising temptations – is getting into the festive spirit with its new collection of Christmas-themed treats, which features a couple of dreamy doughnuts, decadent tarts and a limited-edition pudding. This year locals can gift or hoard a box of special Nodo items – we’re talking pumpkin donuts boasting spiced white chocolate and a topping of a hand-made stars and gingerbread, a vegan dark chocolate donut with raspberry jam, a gluten-free chocolate tart filled with spiced fruits and topped with a house-baked chocolate shortbread star, and a handcrafted pudding filled with golden raisins, princes, currants and diced dates soaked in chocolate liqueur. All of these products will be available from all Nodo locations (including pop-up kiosks), while Christmas puddings ordered online can be shipped to family interstate. Now that’s the spirit of Christmas!
Maeve’s wine pack subscription service
As anyone that has dined at South Brisbane wine bar and eatery Maeve will tell you, its wine list is one of the best in Brisbane. Oenophiles that can’t get enough of Maeve’s curated clutch of vino will be stoked to hear that the beloved venue has launched its own wine subscription service – just in time for Christmas cheer! Maeve’s expert sommelier Eleanor Cappa has curated two packages, each containing six wines – think rare finds from hard-to-source producers and intriguing grape varieties. Maeve’s standard package includes mixed reds and whites for regular enjoyment, while the premium package is the option for those seeking unique finds. Each pack comes with producer information, tasting notes and paired recipe suggestions, and make for the perfect gift for any discerning drinker in your family or friendship circle. Make a subscription order here.
One Fish Two Fish’s ready-to-cook seafood boxes
Seafood is synonymous with summer, so, with us being a week into December it’s time to start planning our seasonal seafood feasts. Kangaroo Point fish and chipper One Fish Two Fish has created a pescatarian’s dream gift with its new seafood boxes. These packages feature ready-to-eat morsels like shucked oysters, local prawns (peeled or whole) and salmon sashimi, while also containing an assortment of ready-to-cook eats like whole and filleted fish, Balmain bugs and lobsters. Feeding the family? One Fish Two Fish’s mixed packs (big enough to feed groups of two to six) are also available with salads and sauces. The BBQ Box boasts a feast fit for Poseidon, with prawns, Balmain bugs, baby octopus skewers, mixed seafood skewers, marinated Goldband snapper fillets, garden salad and sides included. One Fish Two Fish’s seafood boxes can be ordered online now for pick-up, but require 48 hours notice for preparation. Pick-up is available from One Fish Two Fish in Kangaroo Point or The Fish Shoppe pop-up in Bowen Hills during each venue’s opening hours.
Lloyd’s General Store’s Christmas hampers
Cosy corner bar and deli Lloyd’s General Store has assembled its own array of goodies to make your holiday feasting easier. The team has bolstered its deli selection to include hams, glazes and sous-vide turkey breast and lamb racks (the latter is also available on the dine-in menu) – and that’s on top of its established range of provisions. Want to stock up? Lloyd’s Christmas hampers are filled to the brim with primo providore goodies, including Quattro Stelle and Balzanelli smallgoods, City Larder pate, Saint Angel triple-creme cheese, Maffra cheddar, Meredith Dairy fetta, Charles Arnaud comte, Mount Zero smoked olive oil, Olasagasti anchovies, Billinudgel hot sauce and much more. Hamper orders can be placed via email.
Cav Road Community Markets
When we covered the official opening of Bellissimo’s multifaceted Coorparoo cafe and roaster, we hinted that there would be more exciting things to come from the award-winning coffee crew. The first of such exciting concepts is launching this Sunday December 12. CavRoad Community Markets, which will be running outside Bellissimo’s Cavendish Road HQ from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, will fill the cul-de-sac with farmers market stalls selling flowers, fresh produce, baked goods and hand-made treats as well as food trucks, live music from the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra and a jumping castle for kids. It’s also safe to assume that there will be plenty of great coffee available as well, so make the most of your morning and pop on down to check it out!
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].
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