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.