Pasta Mama at Flying Colours
If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying a meal hosted by Jenna Holmes aka b P Mami aka Plant Mama aka Pasta Mama, we can confirm that it is a culinary experience for the senses. Pasta Mama’s lively long lunches – affairs filled with delicious eats, dreamy decor and disco tunes – are must-attend events for fans of carb-centric parties. Pasta Mama is hosting one of her famed soirees at Flying Colours in West End on Saturday April 20, offering guests a loaded menu featuring Mediterranean-inspired snacks, seasonal pasta dishes (including a ragu with beans and smoked butter, plus an asparagus and gorgonzola pasta with salt-and-vinegar cucumbers), desserts and more. The event, which kicks off at 1:00 pm sharp, will feature eight dishes (three entrees, two pastas, two sides and a dessert), margaritas galore and a killer soundtrack. Best of all, there are still seats available – click here to snag yours.
Shuckin’ Sundays at Victory Lane
There’s no better way to spend a Sunday arvo than by slurping up copious amounts of oysters. The crew behind Victory Lane in Ascot clearly agrees. The Racecourse Road bar and eatery has launched its new Sunday sesh, fittingly called Shuckin’ Sundays. Every Sunday from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, guests will be able to order freshly shucked oysters from the venue’s own streetside oyster cart for $2 a pop, all while knocking back glasses of effervescent Laurenti Grand Cuvee champagne. Victory Lane will also be hosting live-music performances – everything from laid-back acoustic tunes to upbeat anthems – all afternoon long. See you there?
South City Wine gears up for autumn
We’re in the midst of a much-welcome seasonal change, and the crew over at South City Wine in Woolloongabba is just the place to celebrate. The Euro-style wine bar has given its menu a shake up, with executive group chef Gabriele Di Landri assembling a new range of bistro-inspired dishes to try. Highlights like duck breast a l’orange with fondant potatoes, caramelised eschalot and nasturtium, burrata with ‘nduja pesto and sherry vinegar, and fish du jour with beurre blanc, herbs, tarragon oil and lemon are available alongside a clutch of remaining crowd favourites. As always, South City Wine’s deep and comprehensive list of vino is at your fingertips – the team is guaranteed to recommend something nice.
Lune’s April specials
Even though Easter is in the rear-view mirror, our sweet-treat cravings aren’t stopping. Good thing Lune Croissanterie’s April specials have been released to the public. This month, the famed croissant maker is giving pastry cravers the chance to savour some top-notch limited-edition specials. We’re talking The Shaker Lemon Pie (a traditional twice-baked croissant filled with macerated lemon frangipane and lemon curd, topped with more frangipane, slivered almonds, and torched Italian meringue), the Toasted Marshmallow Cruffin (a biscuit sugar-dusted cruffin filled with chocolate fudge sauce and toasted marshmallow whip), and a caramelised Anzac biscuit-infused kouign-amann. Have a hankering for something savoury? No problem – the Everything Croissant (twist pastry shaped with a herb paste that is baked, filled with chive cream cheese and finished with everything bagel seasoning) should be just the ticket.
Octomore x Agnes
Peaty whisky and smoky flame-licked fare – is there a better pairing? If you can’t think of one, then this event is for you. The Bruichladdich Distilling Company is celebrating the recent launch of its Octomore 14 series of whiskies with a dinner at one of the country’s best dining destinations, Brisbane’s own Agnes Restaurant. The Octomore 14 series – a range of super-heavily peated Islay single-malt whiskies – sees the distillery explore the influence of terroir, cask management and varying peat levels on flavour. Each bottle of the latest range – Bruichladdich Distilling Company’s 14th annual release – boasts its own distinct and unique character, which guests will be able to savour at Agnes on Wednesday April 17. The evening will see Agnes’ crack kitchen team serving a tailored four-course menu, which will be paired with a a Port Charlotte 10 cocktail on arrival, plus drams of the Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2014 and Octomore 14.1 (matured in ex-American oak), 14.2 (European oak) and 14.3 (distilled from locally grown Islay barley). The ticket price includes a $100 voucher to use on the night, which means whisky lovers will be able to add some Bruichladdich Distilling Company products to their home liquor selection. Tickets can be purchased now via Eventbrite.
Chaffey Bros Wine Co. x Ping Pong
If you’re a fan of fantastic food-and-wine pairings, then April has a few events worth locking into your calendar. On Thursday April 18, Newstead’s beloved pink-hued Thai restaurant Ping Pong will host Daniel Chaffey Hartwig of Barossa-based Chaffey Bros Wine Co. for a phenomenal five-course wine dinner. The evening will see the Ping Pong kitchen turn out a procession of flavour-packed dishes, each paired with a different Chaffey Bros drop. The menu will include the likes of betel leaf topped with sticky pork, pomelo and coconut matched with a glass of Chaffey’s Tripelpunkt 2023 riesling, a spicy pork kuo kling yellow curry with Chaffey’s 2023 aromatic field blend Dufte Punkt, and pork and prawn char kway teow serve alongside a pour of the Lux Venit old-vine rosé. In addition to devouring the feast, guest oenophiles will also be able to meet with Daniel to chat all things vino. Tickets are $125 per person – head to Ping Pong’s website to see the night’s full menu and to make a booking.
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