California Lane
Crack open the champagne – Winn and Bakery Lanes are about to welcome a new member to their family. California Lane is the next exciting venture for the Apostolos family in Fortitude Valley, with construction due to commence on November 6. The lane takes its name from the Apostolos family’s iconic California Cafe, which opened in 1951 on the corner of McLachlan and Brunswick Streets. Running parallel to Brunswick Street connecting Ann and McLachlan, California Lane will have a distinct 1960s West Coast feel, complete with palm trees and retro details. Once complete, the lane will be home to six new retail tenancies on the ground floor, offices above and new alfresco dining areas for the Brunswick Street restaurants that back onto the lane, including Fat Dumpling, Ltd Espresso and Giardinetto. Much like its sibling lanes, California will include a diverse mix of independent operators, embracing the culture and creativity of Brisbane. Completion is due for June 2018 – look out for more updates in the coming months.

Drum
Nick Pinn is certainly not one to rest on his laurels. As if the restaurateur didn’t have enough happening – he’s the man responsible for Malt Dining, Malt Pier, Malt Traders, Vaquero and On The Side – he’s now partnering with long-time friend Paul Hoffmann (ex-executive chef at Cru Bar and At Sixes and Sevens) to open Drum in Newstead. Positioned under Mirvac’s Unison development, the restaurant and bar aims to be a local meeting house, with Paul working on a menu of modern no-fuss dishes with European influences. With the idea that locals can pop in for anything from a cheeky cheese and wine to a long lunch or dinner, the kitchen and bar will be open all day from 11:00 am Tuesday to Sunday, and brunch will be served from 10:00 am on weekends. Drum is set to open in the second week of November – we’ll have full details soon.

e’cco bistro Newstead
After 22 incredible years, Brisbane institution e’cco bistro is closing its doors on Boundary Street following its last service on December 23. Wipe those tears, dear friends, it’s not the end for Philip Johnson’s renowned restaurant – e’cco will reemerge in February 2018 with its familiar sophisticated bistro-style menu, but in a more relaxed and casual setting. The new e’cco bistro Newstead will reopen beneath the Haven apartments, which will also soon be home to Betty’s Burgers, Salt Meats Cheese and Jocelyn’s Newstead Provisions. Head chef Simon Palmer, who joined the team in June 2015, will remain and you can expect to see a number of new dishes added to the menu when Newstead opens. To celebrate his amazing 22 years, Philip Johnson will be back in the e’cco kitchen for one last time at Boundary Street for a special lunch on Sunday November 26, which will pay homage to some of his classic and most-requested dishes over the last two decades. The four-course lunch will feature signature dishes such as field mushrooms on toast, duck confit and Philip’s famed banana tarte tatin, with a glass of Louis Roederer on arrival. Head to our Event Guide for ticketing details.

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