Gastown
Ashgrove oenophiles will soon have a new reason to raise their glasses when specialty coffee joint and wine bar Gastown opens on the corner of Waterworks Road and Ashgrove Avenue later this month. Alderley coffee lovers will likely spy some familiar faces at the helm, as Gastown is the newest venture from the cheery crew behind beloved community-driven caffeine slinger Soul Revolver Co. When searching for a larger kitchen space to help expand their wholesale pie and sausage roll business, Soul Revolver Co’s owners, Brisbane-born Sloane and Canadian ex-pat Marn, inspected the cosy space once home to long-running caffeinery U&I Espresso (just around the corner from Junk Bar). Inspired by recent travels to Tasmania where the couple soaked up the state’s thriving small-bar scenes, the duo has decided to transform the cafe into a venue that bridges morning and evening trade. Gastown is named in honour of the storied Vancouver neighbourhood known for its Victorian buildings, cobblestone streets, famous steam clock and vibrant dining scene (the name Soul Revolver Co is an ode to Marn and Sloane’s favourite Gastown coffee spot, Revolver), with the aim of creating a dimly lit locale perfect for sipping single origins by day or a glass of vino at night. A fit-out process will result in an intimate venue (offering room for 20 guests) that boasts a colour scheme of dark green and walnut illuminated by globe lights. Gastown will launch with its cafe offering, headlined by coffee from The Black Lab Coffee Co., a range of single-origin filter brews from a rotating roster of small Australian roasters and a selection of Vancouver-inspired bites including bagels and soups with crusty bread. Gastown will transform into a wine bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, pouring drops from an ever-changing array of exclusively Australian labels, classic cocktails and a clutch of craft beers by the can. We’ve also been told to expect a frequently morphing small plates menu. Gastown is expected to open before the end of June – stay tuned for an up-close look!

Bocca Italian
Need an excuse to book in a weekend trip up to the Sunshine Coast? Here’s the perfect thing: the Tony Kelly Restaurant Group, that’s the team behind Maroochydore venues Market Bistro and Giddy Geisha, and Rice Boi in Mooloolaba, are weeks away from unveiling its newest concept – Bocca Italian in Bokarina. Pairing coastal Mediterranean vibes with the Sunny Coast’s beachy splendour, the group is positioning Bocca Italian as an approachable and generous eatery that aims to make diners feel more like family than guests. The restaurant’s interiors will showcase an array of textures, with timber, stone and rattan forming the crux of the material palette while brass fixtures and rustic tiling add tasteful accents. Tony Kelly Restaurant Group’s executive chef Harry Lilai will be working with Bocca Italian’s head chef Rob Bredhauer to create an array of share-style dishes, with classic options like osso bucco, lasagne and spaghetti carbonara featuring on the menu alongside LP’s smoked mortadella, cotoletta di pollo and a selection of pizzas. The restaurant’s beverage program will highlight wines from Australian and New Zealand makers specialising in Italian varietals as well as some Italian wines from the homeland. A cocktail menu will focus on fresh interpretations of classic Italian concoctions. Get excited – Bocca Italian is opening this month!

More vendors announced for the Night Noodle Markets
We don’t have to wait much longer for the highly anticipated return of the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets presented by Citi, which, in case you’ve forgotten, is taking over the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens from June 15–26. To get our tastebuds positively primed for the experience, the Night Noodle Market team has revealed the full list of vendors that will be hawking mouth-watering goodies at this year’s event. In addition to established faves Hoy Pinoy, May’s Malaysian Hawker and Flying Noodles, expect to see Sydney’s Demochi Donut slinging its made-for-Instagram treats, Indian-Nonya-inspired dishes from Brisbane’s own Stone & Copper, north-Vietnamese cuisine from Pho-Real Vietnamese, dumplings and dim sum from Steamed, vegetarian and vegan dishes from West Australia’s Latina Plant Power, roti rolls from Roll Up, calamari on a stick from Calabang, and flavoursome fare from Shallot Thai, Bangkok Street Food and Raijin. Gelato Messina will also be on hand, serving up decadent desserts like its deep-fried Milo gelato and dulce de leche with peanut butter French toast.

voco Brisbane City Centre
Brisbane’s hotel scene continues to expand with the recent unveiling of North Quay’s newest accommodation spot, IHG’s voco Brisbane City Centre. The inner-city hotel is the first of the voco brand to open in Brisbane and offers a bold and colourful experience across its 194 guestrooms, which boast a colour scheme comprised of dark-blue hues and vivid pops of yellow. In addition to 11 premium meeting and function spaces, 600-guest Grand Chelsea Ballroom (opening mid-June) and a rooftop pool, voco Brisbane City Centre also boasts its own eatery called Kraft & Co – a chameleonic venue that transforms from coffee and brunch spot by day into a beer, wine and cocktail-slinging lounge bar at night. Here, diners will also be able to savour modern Australian cuisine that’s been infused with a noticeable Japanese twist. Hotel bookings are now available – head to the voco Brisbane City Centre website to lock in your next staycay.

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