Za Za Ta
Since we gave your all an inside look at Ovolo The Valley’s stunning new digs at The Emporium back in November last year, we’ve been waiting with bated breath for news of the hotel’s signature bar and restaurant concept. Well, the cat’s out of the bag – spicy new Middle Eastern arrival Za Za Ta is set to open in August. The 200-seat venue will be helmed by Israeli-born executive chef Roy Ner (ex-Nour) and head chef Dario Manca (ex-Attica and Pilu at Freshwater), serving up a shared-style menu of Israeli-inspired eats across brunch, lunch and dinner. Night owls can rejoice, as the concept will also be introducing a late-night menu from 11:00 pm onwards, inspired by Tel Aviv’s after-dark street-food scene. Za Za Ta will span across multiple rooms, with each imbuing its own personality fused with quirky design and bold interiors from the award-winning Luchetti Krelle. This is just a small taste of what’s to come – we’ll have more details for you close to opening.

Paddington Social
No matter what field you work in, it pays to be versatile. Versatility is going to be one of the main draw-cards for Paddington Social, a multi-faceted eatery looking to open in mid-June. The brainchild of three friends and culinary wizards – Tyler, Gibb and Lek –Paddington Social is currently taking shape on Given Terrace in the spot formerly occupied by Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta. The pizza oven has been taken out and the team is hard at work implementing a charming shabby-chic aesthetic inside and out. Paddington Social’s offering is designed around the venue’s dual kitchens, which allows all three to flex their creative muscles across cafe-style dining, baked goods and nighttime eats. A typical day at Paddington Social will start at the cafe, which will see Tyler whipping up a menu of classic breakfast options bolstered by a range of baked goods made in house. Gibb will be overseeing the bakery portion, which will not only supply the cafe menu, but will also offer a stand-alone range of freshly made croissants, muffins, tarts and more. Come 5:00 pm, Lek’s pop-up kitchen will fire up the pans, serving a menu of popular Thai dishes done well. Stay tuned for a more in-depth look soon.

Superfly Funk Eye
A little over a year ago, Woolloongabba’s Eden Lane precinct welcomed an ultra-cool modern izakaya to its leafy laneway in the form of Superfly Funk Eye. With a menu of salivation-worthy Japanese-inspired eats and a drinks list of killer wines and spirits, those that have stumbled across the hangout have reported nothing but positive feedback. Despite its high standing amongst foodies, PopMega (the culinary crew behind the venue) has decided to implement a new concept in the space, revealing in a statement that the intention is to add more scope for interacting with locals and to grow the team. While the exact details on what the new concept will deliver are being kept secret for now, we’ve been told that it will be a complete departure from Superfly as is, and that those that haven’t had the pleasure of trying the fare have just over two weeks to do so before it evolves. Rest assured we’ll give you a peek at the new-look venue once it is revealed!

Queensland Parliament’s Sometimes Strangers’ lunch service
If you’ve ever wandered through the stunning heritage surrounds of Queensland Parliament and longed to take a seat in the coveted Strangers’ Dining Room, now is your chance – the heritage restaurant is about to open to the public for a regular Friday lunch service! The Sometimes Strangers’ lunch sitting will kick off weekly from Friday June 21, showcasing some of the venue’s most popular signature dishes for diners looking for a quality inner-city feast crafted from local produce – think oak-smoked Toowoomba ox cheek, Mooloolaba prawns, Stanthorpe spiced-apple shortcake and more. Walk-ins are available but bookings are strongly recommended – contact Queensland Parliament to secure a spot.

Botero House x Green Beacon Degustation Dinner
When it comes to degustation experiences, beer probably isn’t the first thing you think of – but two of Brisbane’s most beloved and creative institutions are turning this notion on its head. The team from award-winning Green Beacon Brewery have teamed up with inner-city flavour haven Botero House and its new head chef Dan Brown to create a seven-course degustation that highlights the complexity of beer. Dan has flexed his Michelin-starred skills to craft a menu that will delight your senses and make you taste beer differently, using hyper-seasonal produce to complement the flavours in Green Beacon’s stellar range of brews. Tickets to this one are strictly limited – for more information, head to our Event Guide.

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