Bao Down Now
Fortitude Valley revellers will soon be able to nibble on freshly made bao buns and rice bowls while sharing teapot cocktails in a buzzing new space on Wickham Street. Thanks to the impressive backgrounds of its two chef-owners, Bao Down Now will place a strong focus on the culinary component, from making everything on the menu in-house to incorporating layers of flavours into its cocktails. The venue plans to be more nightclub than sit-down restaurant, with guests invited to nosh from the comfort of cosy lounges out the front. The exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, but the owners promise the venue will certainly be in operation by Friday August 14. Keep an eye on Facebook for updates.

Cross Roads Espresso
The clever guys behind Moose & Gibson, Leaf Espresso Bar and Habitat Restaurant & Bar will today be adding a new venue to their suite – Cross Roads Espresso. The cafe has taken over the spot once occupied by Tailor Made Espresso on Petrie Terrace, and gains its name from the 1986 blues film, Crossroads, which is a favourite of owners Scott and Mal. As with its sibling venues, Cross Roads Espresso will pour Two Seasons single-origin coffee and grumbling tummies can be satisfied by panini, focaccia, muffins and cakes from the cabinet. Open from Monday to Friday, the hole-in-the-wall cafe’s focus will be on grab-and-go-style options, however you can pull up a stool or take a seat at a table to eat in.

Cafe Groovy Dessert Bar
Stones Corner welcomed a new dining destination to its bustling Logan Road precinct last week when Cafe Groovy Dessert Bar opened its doors to the public. Boasting a stacked menu of savoury and sweet goodies, the restaurant specialises in modern Australian fare and a decadent range of cakes and slices that will make your mouth water. Sink your teeth into some salt and pepper calamari, Cajun chicken burgers or a quinoa salad before indulging in some pyramid dumplings or macadamia double choc brownies. Cafe Groovy is currently open seven days for lunch and dinner, with breakfast trading hours to be added on the weekends in the near future.

Let Minnow Cafe
An old aquarium on Park Avenue in Clayfield is being converted into a quaint cafe serving seasonal meals. Let Minnow Cafe is a family venture that hopes to cater for some food intolerances with a variety of creative meals for breakfast and lunch. The menu will use seasonal produce in a creative, specials-based menu format, with meals such as slow-cooked beef brisket sandwiches and fish tacos available for lunch and breakfast sliders containing savoury mince, bacon and egg, pesto mushroom or smoked salmon up for grabs in the morning. Also of note – a special homemade ice-cream will be available using alternative ingredients for those with lactose intolerances. Let Minnow Cafe is planned to open to the public in August.

Felix Espresso and Winebar
Burnett Lane beauty Felix Espresso and Winebar has come a long way in a little over a year. From opening as a daytime cafe in early 2014, the inner-city venue introduced wine and tapas evenings in October last year and just last week revealed an expanded space and extended dinner offerings. The dining space is now twice as large, with additional seating, a new garden, a bigger bar and kitchen, and of course plenty of that trademark Felix charm. Swing by to sample the seasonal dinner menu made from scratch, featuring dishes like slow-roasted lamb on corn polenta, Thursday through to Saturday nights.

Gerard’s Bar x Gelato Messina 
As far as we are concerned at The Weekend Edition, it is never too cold for gelato or cocktails. And when the two combine, even better! Gerard’s Bar has recently collaborated with famed dessert bar Gelato Messina for its Aperitivo Sundays, which is Messina’s first food collaboration in the Brisbane market. This Sunday June 28 and Sunday July 5 will see the Gerard’s cocktail masters whip up a liquid delight based on and featuring a gelato flavour selected by Messina’s head chef Donato Toce, which changes each week. Last week saw the team create the Hazelnut Sailor, combining Gelato Messina Coffee and Hazelnut Praline with spiced run, espresso and salted vanilla. Don’t miss out – these cocktails are only on offer for a limited time.

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