Mr Chester Wine Bar
We’ve all got that one friend who knows a lot about wine. They can be a great resource for recommendations when you’re overwhelmed at the bottle shop, but sometimes they can be a bit too know-it-all about it – you feel us? Mr Chester Wine Bar is putting its hand up to be your new best wine friend without the pretension. The new bar and eatery is set to open on Ann Street (underneath the Alpha Mosaic Hotel) in The Valley in June, promising to champion the best boutique names in new-world wine and viticulture. The bar will stock the likes of Mendoza reds, Tasmanian sparkling and whites from the Adelaide Hills, as well as one gin and one whisky, both from Australia, paired with a selection of shareable dishes. Keep your eyes on The Weekend Edition for more details as they come to light.

COPPA vs Martini
Few things are as satisfying as a perfect pairing – Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, peanut butter and chocolate, and now COPPA and Martini. On Saturday May 20, the inner-city eatery will be teaming up with one of the most iconic names in cocktails for an evening of heavenly food and drink. COPPA’s executive chef Peter Gatti has paired four specialty cocktails with a four-course food offering, which will include the likes of smoked king fish with charred baby leek, roasted porchetta stuffed with raisins, and a coffee and chocolate gelato pizza pie. Martini’s brand ambassador Loy Canada will host the night, with seats going for $95 per person. Call COPPA to secure your spot on 07 3221 3548.

Mongrel Takes Over Betty’s 
A little under a month ago we brought you news of an exciting new takeover series from the self-described flavour pimps Mongrel, which saw the team bring Peruvian flavours to Naïm. Now it’s time for Betty’s Espresso and Bar in West End to play host, with a second takeover set for Monday May 29. South American cuisine will be on the cards again, with a charcoal barbecue to be fired up for goodies such as charred picanha with chimichurri and anca chilli potatoes, paired with craft beer, wine and a good variety of cocktails.

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