Chockie Bakehouse
Brisbane is in the firm grasp of cookie mania, with an increasing number of cookie dispensaries popping up seemingly every month. Chockie Bakehouse, the latest spot dedicated to covetable confections, is looking to become a new go-to joint for those seeking quality baked goods. Opening soon in Woolloongabba, Chockie will sling an assortment of goodies, starting with its large, chewy, chunky and gooey New York-style cookies, which are baked daily. Beyond cookies, Chockie will also serve rich New York-style cheesecakes, deliciously decadent fudge brownies, fluffy and frosting-coated cupcakes and beautifully crafted bundt cakes. Chockie Bakehouse will also be selling a range of keto-friendly and low-carb options, as well as cups of artisanal, house-roasted coffee. Once open, Chockie Bakehouse will be offering online ordering and delivery, making it easy to get a cookie fix at home or at your workplace. Chockie is set to open very soon – stay tuned for more.

Mucho Mexicano
It seems that every week there’s word of another closure. While we have another to report today, it’s not all bad news. Alemré Hospitality Group has announced that Mucho Mexicano in South Bank will close after dinner service on Sunday July 7 to make way for a new Mexican concept opening in the same location towards the end of August. Before it shutters, the team will be going out with a bang, hosting a special goodbye celebration featuring the restaurant’s widely adored all-you-can-eat tacos offer. From Monday June 24 until Wednesday July 3, taco lovers can push the limits of their stomach lining with two hours of unlimited tacos on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00 pm (two evening sessions are available at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm). Guests can devour shredded beef-cheek tacos, chargrilled chicken, pulled-pork carnitas, pumpkin and haloumi tacos, available with a drink purchase. Mucho Mexicano Hawthorne is remaining open, continuing to trade seven days a week from 12:00 pm. Pop in for one last feast and be sure to check in soon for more info on Much Mexicano South Bank’s replacement.

Hiker Brewing Co.
The closure of Black Hops Brewing’s East Brisbane brewery and taproom was a blow to local beer lovers, but a pair of suds-savvy individuals are looking to quickly fill the gap. Daniel Venema and Phil Sharp of Salisbury’s Hiker Brewing Co. have taken over the site, with plans to reopen the venue as its own satellite microbrewery and taproom in early-to-mid July. With existing fixtures such as the cold room, tap system and furniture already in place, the crew are able to plug and play, installing a small pilot brewing system to concoct small batches of experimental beers while Hiker’s core range – including its Toohey Forest lager, Bushwalker pale ale, Wee Little! light Scottish ale and Hira Haze hazy IPA – will be brewed at the Salisbury. Read more about the news here.

Naldham House
Huge news emerged last week revealing tantalising details on one of The City’s most anticipated openings. DAP & Co. (the heavyweight hospo group behind Walter’s Steakhouse, Popolo and The Gresham) has shared information on two of the three concepts set to open inside Naldam House – a multi-level drinking and dining hub located inside a stunning heritage-listed building on Mary Street, previously home to the Brisbane Polo Club. In July, the DAP & Co. crew will open Naldham House Brasserie and Terrace on the building’s first floor – a glam restaurant and bar boasting kaleidoscopically colourful interiors by Anna Spiro and a European-inspired menu executed by executive chef Douglas Keyte. Upstairs on Naldham House’s middle floor will sit Club Felix, a chic late-night cocktail bar that will be serving cocktails, champagne and charcuterie until 2:00 am. Naldham House’s top-floor venue is still a secret, but we’ve heard it will be open in time for spring. Read more about the plans here and be sure to keep your eyes glued to The Weekend Edition for a look inside next month.

Dumbo
Portside Wharf’s evolution continues at a fast clip, with news breaking last week that the Happy Fat Group – the team behind Ruby, My Dear and COPPA – would be bringing an offshoot of its heralded burger concept Red Hook to the riverside precinct in September. Dumbo – named after the iconic Brooklyn neighbourhood, Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass – will channel the same New York-based inspirations as Red Hook, offering a menu of American-inspired street food alongside a drinks menu featuring natural wines, playful cocktails, and international and domestic craft beers. Dumbo’s food offering will feature many of Red Hook’s core favourites, but the range will also be bolstered by a selection of eats tailored to the eatery’s waterfront surroundings. Dumbo will join Sbagliata, The Ballpark and Portside Social as part of the next stage of Portside Wharf’s ongoing $20-million redevelopment program.

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