Lord of the Fries
Attention all plant-based eaters and lovers of delicious ethically made comfort food – Lord of the Fries has officially announced that it will be opening its first Brisbane location in Fortitude Valley before the end of the year. Over the weekend, Lord of the Fries teased the news via Instagram and Facebook, and folks promptly lost their minds. Now, we can confirm that Lord of the Fries will be setting up its debut Brisbane locale at 354 Brunswick Street – the spot once home to Brat Haus. Alongside Lord of the Fries staples – vegan burgers, hotdogs, mac’n’cheese balls, breakfast muffins and, of course, fries – we’ve also been told that the Brisbane store will be the exclusive stockist of the limited-edition Stinger Spicy Chick’n Burger. The exact opening date is still being kept under wraps, but you can expect Lord of the Fries to open to the public around mid December.

Meek Social House
As Pellicano’s South City Square development continues to rise above Woolloongabba, exciting new retailers are starting to appear at the base of the precinct’s apartment buildings. The latest hotspot to arrive at the thriving strip is Meek Social House, a casual-cool eatery from the crew behind nostalgia-driven pitstop (and fellow South City Square tenant) Tuckshop Time. Described as the big sister to Tuckshop Time, Meek Social House is a larger-format bar and restaurant that draws much of its inspiration from two iconic hubs of surf, sun and sand – California’s Newport Beach and our very own Byron Bay. Hewn out of the old Kivahan space, this coastal-inspired venue is positioning itself as a value-oriented meeting point for locals, with a broad food offering encompassing everything from seafood and steak to all-you-can-eat bao nights. In addition to the nosh, Meek will boast craft beer on tap and premium first pours in its bar selection. Meek Social House is officially opening to the public on Friday October 25, and precedes other South City Square arrivals Club Vitality and Salt Meats Cheese. We’ll be sure to give you a closer look as soon as it opens!

Shhh!
Hey you, come closer – we’ve got some hot foodie news to spill, but we can only share it on the down-low. There’s a new sophisticated cocktail, live music and tapas bar coming to The Valley this Friday October 25, and its name is as secretive as its vibe. Shhh! (yes, that’s the name) on Constance Street (in the old Fringe Bar space) is a swanky speakeasy that is looking to blend contemporary charm and sophistication with the atmosphere of an upbeat club. The venue takes aesthetic cues from London’s prohibition era, with BSPN Architecture basing its design around a palette of maroon, navy, burgundy and gold. Adding to the sense of grandeur, Shhh! also boasts plush booth seating, chesterfield armchairs and a piano bar, but it’s the venue’s offering that cements its luxe status. Nibbles include small share plates (think pork-belly baos with sticky plum dressing), charcuterie boards and cheese platters, while Shhh!’s bar is amply stocked with gin (we’re talking 70 labels from Australia, France, Germany, UK, USA and Iceland) and a sizeable cocktail menu. Shhh! even boasts a VIP bottle service for the high rollers, with all drinks served by your own butler. With an offering this good, it’s unlikely this venue remains a secret for long. Look out for our in-depth look at Shhh! later this week.

Holey Moley Golf Club Wintergarden
Fortitude Valley revellers went absolutely berserk for putt-putt when Holey Moley Golf Club first arrived on Warner Street in 2016, and now the leisure-tainment institution (from Funlab – the crew behind Strike Bowling, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and B. Lucky & Sons) is doubling its Brisbane presence with a second location in the Wintergarden. Come late November, partiers will be able to try their hand at nine new golf holes, some paying tribute to significant cultural figures including Harry Potter, Forrest Gump, Steve Irwin and Vincent van Gogh. Much like its Fortitude Valley sibling, Holey Moley at the Wintergarden will serve its famed selection of eats – including stone-baked pizzas, hotdogs, burgers, waffle fries, tater tots and chicken wings – and full complement of quirky cocktails, wines, beers, spirits and mocktails. Start practicing your putting form – you have until Friday November 29 before it’s game on.

TWE’s Halloween Game
Something wicked this way comes, dear readers – our massive Halloween giveaway game is returning for another year! From October 28–30, our site will be littered with little black pumpkins that are concealing tricks (boo!) or treats (yass!) – it’s your job to hunt them down and claim some seriously slick prizes. This year marks our biggest giveaway ever – baller staycations, restaurant experiences, festival passes and show tickets are all up for grabs. Keep your eyes on The Weekend Edition for some ghoulish clues and get ready to dig deep into our archives – happy hunting!

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