Phat Elephant
It’s been only a short time since Nundah residents flocked to Toombul Shopping Centre for the launch of its new UPSTAIRS dining playground, and already the powers behind the foodie hub are announcing the next wave of eateries. Joining the likes of Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Dapple + Waver and Il Gancio will be Phat Elephant – the popular Thai concept from Alyssa Phadungkiat, who also operates Paddington’s Chapter IV, New Farm’s Chai Thai and Brisbane Quarter newcomer Phat Boy. Having already won over tastebuds at its debut location at Post Office Square in The City, Phat Elephant at Toombul will be delivering the same kind of tantalising Thai fare as its inner-city sibling, including signatures such as the pineapple fried rice, braised lamb-shank massaman curry, crispy king prawns with tamarind sauce and crispy whole barramundi with spring onion, ginger and soy. The new location will boast a smaller footprint than Phat Elephant Brisbane City, with space for 50 diners – but guests can expect the same lively atmosphere when Phat Elephant opens early next year. We’ll have a closer look once it arrives!

The Yiros Shop
In case the above didn’t sell you on the idea that Brisbane’s northside is the place to be for foodies, maybe this piece of news will solidify it. The Yiros Shop has announced it will be opening not one, but two, new locations north of the river! The first of the two will arrive in Albion early next year as part of the new Albion Central development on the corner of Crosby Road and Frodsham Street. The second location is being kept under wraps for now, but rest assured we’ll keep you posted. If you can’t wait to get a yiros fix, The Yiros Shop has recently unveiled some gargantuan new menu items that’ll obliterate even the most ferocious hunger. The Yiros Shop is now serving Da Phat Yiros, a XXXL version of its signature yiros, stuffed with your choice of meat, ripe tomato, red onion, parsley, tzatziki and chips on a fluffy fresh pita. If that’s not enough, the crew has also added a whopping two-kilo snack box to the menu, which serves four. Until Albion opens next year, you can tackle these titanic menu items at The Yiros Shop locations in Newmarket, Cannon Hill, South Brisbane, Capalaba and Fortitude Valley.

Botero House’s Cheese + Wine Degustation
We’d be lying if we said we’re weren’t partial to a chunky wedge of triple-cream brie – the reality is that cheese rules everything around us. On Friday December 6, Botero House in The City is hosting a must-attend dairy-centric culinary experience – the kind we often envision in our cheddar-fuelled cheese dreams. The restaurant is teaming up with The Cheese Pleaser for a cheese and wine degustation event, with two options available – an eight-course feast with matched wines, or an expertly curated local and international cheese board paired with vino. Botero House’s head chef Dan Brown has crafted a mouth-watering menu including the likes of Welsh rarebit with mature cheddar and Worcestershire gel, haloumi lollipops, and risotto cacio e pepe with parmigiano reggiano, cured yolk and black truffle. If you’re more eager for the cheese board, you’ll be able to sample Spanish manchego, Cropwell Bishop stilton from the UK, washed-rind cheese from Woombye and more. If you’d like to make a reservation, you can do so here.

Seoul Bistro
Typically when one celebrates a birthday, it’s expected that they receive gifts. Well, that’s not the case for Seoul Bistro, which is marking its six-year anniversary with a gigantic half-price wing buffet! On Wednesday December 4 between 5:00–10:00 pm, the kitchen at this Sunnybank institution will be working overtime to keep the buffet stocked with eight flavours of chicken wings, thin-cut fries, serves of garlic bread and lemon iced tea. If you’re eager to celebrate this milestone, scrounge up $10.95 and get in early – this event runs only as long as stocks last!

CJ’s Pasta launches brunch
One of Brisbane’s worst-kept secrets is CJ’s Pasta’s Secret Pasta Club. Of course, it’s hard to expect folks to keep food this good a secret, which is why we have no qualms sharing this bit of goss – CJ’s Pasta will be serving brunch as of tomorrow. From 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Wednesday to Sunday, the Hoogley Street hideaway will be serving fresh juices, coffee from Noosa roaster First Batch and a diverse menu featuring Italian classics and Australian favourites – all handmade in-house from super-fresh produce! CJ’s pasta club will be running as usual from 5:00 pm onwards each night, but fans can expect a few new elements in the mix, including a small expansion into the venue’s production room to add more bar seating for folks eager to get their pasta fix.

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