Pavement Whispers: Volume 327 September 28
From news of a laneway eatery specialising in flavoursome Southeast Asian nosh to the return of a champagne-fuelled riverside pop-up, 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 …
Mai Gai
The restaurant and bar precinct that is Everton Plaza has evolved into a buzzing nexus of hospitality since launching in 2019, with a host of eateries and drinking spots luring in locals every weekend. Soon the suburban hub will welcome a new venue into its midst – one specialising in flavoursome Southeast Asian cuisine. Mai Gai is set to open at Everton Plaza on Friday October 15, slotting into an alleyway space formerly occupied by Sichuan Papa. Helmed by lauded chef Suchada Nakbunchuay (formerly of Byron Bay institution Bang Bang), Mai Gai will showcase a sizzling mix of Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Laotian and Cambodian cuisines – with a border-hopping approach inspired by Suchada’s own travels through Southeast Asia. Bright, fresh and bold flavours will anchor the menu, with dishes like wok-tossed cashew chicken, brisket massaman curry, whole fried baby snapper, chicken laab and Moreton Bay bug rolls traversing sweet, salty, sour, spicy, smoky and creamy flavour profiles. Former Emporium bar manager Ariana Pieterse is curating Mai Gai’s beverage list, which is headlined by an assortment of bespoke tropical-inspired cocktails. The restaurant’s interior will boast weathered timber, green brushed concrete, hanging greenery and an open kitchen – expect a transportive experience that’ll have you thinking you’re dining in Bangkok, not Brisbane. Stay tuned for more!
Fix Espresso Bar
Newstead isn’t short on coffee spots, but if there’s anything that can sway us to play favourites, it’s a caffeinery that boasts a team with a formidable pedigree. Fix Espresso Bar – a forthcoming pick-me-up pit stop opening behind the Bank Of Queensland building at Gasworks Plaza – comes from the crew behind beloved Red Hill cafe One Eighty Six Espresso Bar and TwentyNine Espresso Bar in Kelvin Grove. The team is currently in the process of converting a 20-ft container into a simple-yet-quirky espresso bar, which will be slinging coffee from The Black Lab, Italian pastries, loaded toasties and fresh fruit smoothies. Fix Espresso will open in early October – we suggest keeping your eyes on The Weekend Edition for an up-close look next month.
5 Boroughs Morayfield
Burgers, wings, ribs, steaks and sandwiches – 5 Boroughs does it all. The New York-inspired eatery chain, which boasts locations in Springwood, Everton Park, Stones Corner, Ascot and Rosalie, has built a fanbase on the strength of its sizeable American-style bar and grill menu. Owners Todd and Marisa Clayton will soon expand their portfolio by one with the November opening of a new 5 Boroughs eatery at Morayfield Village, bringing a slice of New York City to the Moreton Bay region. Guests can expect the same phenomenal menu shared across all 5 Boroughs locations, including its artisanal burgers (made using hand-rolled Angus beef patties, freshly baked buns and American cheddar cheese – as well as specialty beef brisket and pork belly burgers), fish and chicken tacos, New York-style sandwiches, waffle-cut chips, and Frank’s famous hot wings. The venue will be equipped with television screens for live sports, while the bar will be amply stocked with cold beers, spirits, cocktails and wines.
Moët & Chandon Rosé Garden at Customs House
With crisp skies and warmer temperatures on the horizon, everyone in The Weekend Edition office is starting to swap hoodies and jeans for breezy linens in anticipation of spring and summer sipping sessions. When warm weather returns, so too does Customs House’s hugely popular pop-up party spot the Moët & Chandon Rosé Garden. From Friday October 8, the riverside terrace at Customs House will be home to a collection of open-air floral domes (adorned with seasonal blooms) big enough to fit ten guests each. Much like previous iterations, the Moët & Chandon activation will include a menu of mouth-watering delights and a beverage list of crisp wines. This year, expect snacks like crispy pumpkin flowers filled with goats cheese, Hervey Bay scallops with vanilla cauliflower and a chorizo crumb, and Moreton Bay bug croissants – a salivation-worthy staple that is available individually, or with truffle fries, aioli and a glass of Moët & Chandon rosé for $43. While you and your crew are soaking up the summer vibes, be sure to have a drink close at hand – think glasses of iconic Moët Impérial, the newly launched Chandon Garden Spritz or the Moët Rose Mint 75 cocktail boasting Moët Ice rosé, Belvedere vodka, raspberry, mint and lemon. The Moët & Chandon Rosé Garden will open Fridays from 4:00–9:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00–9:00 pm. You can find all of the important details in our Event Guide.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].
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