Pavement Whispers: Volume 477 September 24
Pavement Whispers: Volume 477 September 24
Pavement Whispers: Volume 477 September 24
Pavement Whispers: Volume 477 September 24

Pavement Whispers: Volume 477 September 24

From news of a Fortitude Valley expansion for a Gold Coast Cantonese restaurant to a new cafe and wine bar in West End, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …

Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar
Have you met Mr Hizola? The Burleigh-based Cantonese-inspired eatery has been a fixture of the Gold Coast dining scene since 2018, and now the crew behind the lively eatery is bringing its flavour-packed fare to Fortitude Valley. Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar is set to open in early-to-mid October just around the corner from James Street on McLachlan Street, with work underway converting the restaurant space formerly home to Casa Nostra Ristorante (opposite Viscosity) into a dining destination specialising in an upgraded version of Mr Hizola’s menu of eats. Where Mr Hizola’s in Burleigh boasts a garden-themed fit-out with a tinge of grunge, Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar will boast more high-end finishes, with a moody aesthetic retaining some of the venue’s Cantonese inspirations, including its signature hanging lanterns. The decor isn’t the only thing the Hizola’s team is upgrading – while much of the Burleigh venue’s menu will be brought north, we’ve heard that many established favourites (including signature dishes like the sizzling steak and roasted duck pancakes with orange and plum sauce) will be punched up with some tantalising twists. Likewise the drinks menu, which will include cocktails and a newly reconfigured wine list. We’ll be taking a look inside Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar when it opens next month.

Birdees
A long-time fixture of Fortitude Valley’s nightlife scene is set to be reborn. Ann Street institution Birdees is currently undergoing a substantial $7-million overhaul, which will see the party palace enter a new era. The transformation will look to attract a broader mix of patrons, with refurbishment works revitalising both levels and instilling a sense of mystery and inclusivity. On level one, guests will be greeted by a sophisticated setting geared towards hosting large-scale events, exhibitions and functions of all kinds – think plush, curved booths, red curtains and slick two-tone flooring. Up on level two will be Birdees’ new-look beer garden – an open-air space with seating for 300, a new pool and a retooled kitchen serving gastro pub-style fare for lunch and dinner. Looking to reclaim its spot amongst the upper echelon of The Valley’s nightspots, Birdees will evolve at night into a hub of light, sound and entertainment – a roster of resident DJs, live music and roving performers will be keeping punters enthralled on a nightly basis, while trivia, bingo and garden games will also be added to the experiential offering. Stay tuned for more!

Cafe Disco
Hardgrave Road in West End will soon welcome a new resident in the form of Cafe Disco – an eatery and wine bar built with a DIY ethos. The brainchild of Tasfeen Hassan (former co-owner of clothing boutique Contra and its coffee-slinging offshoot Cafe Contra), Cafe Disco will be tapping into Tasfeen’s Bangladeshi background, offering a menu of fare inspired by family recipes and Tasfeen’s own experiences of eating and travelling around the world. The seasonally evolving offering will be concise, but made with care and intent – think fresh breads (a homemade pita, cooked in a flame oven, will be a specialty), pickles, preserves and jams, with a take on a lamb murtabak described as Tasfeen’s ultimate version of a sausage roll. Coffee will be supplied by Northgate-based Passport Specialty Coffee, while booze will include fruit-forward cocktails and a wine list comprised of vino sourced from small producers. Tasfeen will be playing an assortment of disco records accumulated on his travels, including music by artists from Pakistan, Indonesia, India and Malaysia, which will form the bulk of the venue’s playlist. Cafe Disco is set to open in October – get more info here.

Thomas’
The crew behind Frank’s Social Club in Paddington is bringing its brand of warm hospitality to Teneriffe, with new neighbourhood bar Thomas’ opening on Vernon Terrace later this week. The joint will be situated at the base of the London Woolstore, joining the likes of Rita’s Tequila and TaqueriaZero Fox and Streetcorner Jimmy as part of a buzzing drinking and dining hub. The food offering will include cheese and charcuterie boards, small plates, and sandwiches, with a take on the classic sloppy Joe expected to be Thomas’ signature item. On the drinks front, Thomas’ will pour cocktails (including spritzes and mojitos by the carafe), three beers on tap (one from Bulimba’s Revel Brewing Co., a lager from Frenchie’s Bistro & Brewery in Sydney, and a ginger beer from Brewdog) and a tight selection of wines. Click here to read all about Thomas’ and keep your eyes peeled for an up-close look at the venue very soon.

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

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.

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