Tasca
The magic shop on Coolangatta’s Griffith Street (next door to Rockleigh Cafe) is about to morph into a quaint new wine bar and dining space called Tasca. We’ve been told to expect a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood wine bar, with a passionate focus on biodynamic, organic and low-intervention wines, plus top-notch cocktails. While we’ll reveal much more about the food closer to the opening, the Tasca kitchen team is working on an understated yet refined menu, with a shine toward southern Italian cuisine. Works are currently underway at the new venue, which is expected to open around the end of May. We’ll have all the details for you then!

Espresso 151
Construction is underway for a cool new health cafe in West Burleigh called Espresso 151. The new venue is located at the entrance of a soon-to-open fitness centre called Elevation Fitness (formerly Project Sparta). The rustic-style venue is said to feature all of our health-food favourites including smoothies, acai and green bowls, healthy on-the-go snacks, raw desserts and superfood delights. Campos Coffee is on board for this one, and we can expect Espresso 151’s doors to open by late May. Healthy vibes all ’round.

Southport’s yet-to-be-named new delicatessen and rooftop bar
Southport (#sopo) is on the up – there’s a new rooftop bar and deli coming, but we’re going to give you a quick history lesson to paint the picture. Okay, if were strolling around 45 Nerang Street, you would come across the restored and repurposed original ambulance station known as The Station – that’s occupied by co-working establishment Co Spaces and street-front coffee hub Percy’s Corner. Two doors down from The Station is The Exchange (the old Telstra exchange building), which is also occupied by Co Spaces. In between the two buildings lies a site where the original post office and post master’s residence was built in 1901 – and that is the location and inspiration behind the new rooftop bar and deli, which is the brainchild of Co Spaces owner Ben Howe and hospitality guru and designer Arran Woollams. Got all that? The deli will feature a street-front window with small goods, local cheeses, custom deli-style sandwiches piled high with all the trimmings, plus made-to-order share boards. The deli will adjoin a small bar area, which will then link upstairs to a separate rooftop bar. We’re told to expect top-quality wine, beers and food, with a mid-century vibe. It’s due to open in the latter half of the year – we’ll keep you posted.

Roosevelt Lounge
Restaurateur Patrick Gennari, owner of The Loose Moose, Koi Dining & Lounge Bar and Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, has taken over Hatch & Co in Broadbeach, which neighbours The Loose Moose. The space is currently being used as a pop-up expansion of The Loose Moose, until works commence to create a new upmarket lounge bar called Roosevelt Lounge. The details are being kept under wraps for now, and the opening is still a few months off, but if its sibling venues are anything to go by, Roosevelt Lounge will be pretty darn fun. Watch this space – we’ll keep you posted.