After five months of refurbishment, The Fox Hotel has reopened its doors, unveiling the ground-level Long Bar and its accompanying restaurant, The Meatball Company. The hotel’s various venues will open in stages, with the New York-style meatball joint being one of the first to be given a spin.

No longer is the meatball relegated to the back row of the barbecue or the kids’ menu – here it’s been promoted to a starring role, with a clever menu of carnivorous delights. Classic ingredients are packed into the moreish morsels, with options like lamb, garlic and rosemary in a tomato and olive sauce, and beef in a smoky tomato sauce. Vegetarians and seafood lovers are also well catered for, with delicious orbs made from green peas, arborio rice, mint and Manchego cheese, and cod, prawns, scallops and saffron in a tomato broth. Freshen up with a salad from the Rabbit Food section and top it all off with a hedonistic ice-cream sandwich.

Taking inspiration from the artisan meatball restaurants of The Big Apple, local architect Angus Munro has combined ceiling art by Adam Lester with an exposed brick interior, and opened up the space with skylights and a yawning front facade.

The Meatball Company
The Fox Hotel, 71–73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Ph: 07 3844 2883
Open: Monday to Sunday 12:00 pm to late