Fat Noodle at The Star Brisbane
Looming large in our calendars (and also looming large, quite literally, in our city’s skyline) is the arrival of Queen’s Wharf. While completion of the $3.6-billion development is still a way away (it’s on track for a staged opening commencing in April 2024), we’re already getting word on some of the eateries set to open within the precinct. The team behind Queen’s Wharf centrepiece, casino and luxury hotel The Star Brisbane, has revealed that Luke Nguyen’s long-running Asian-fusion dining hall, Fat Noodle, will be joining The Star Brisbane’s culinary line-up. The restaurant, celebrated for its championing of Southeast Asian street-food cuisine, will relocate from its home at Treasury Brisbane and reopen at The Star Brisbane in April next year, leading a collection of more than 50 food-and-beverage concepts expected to open at Queen’s Wharf. Fat Noodle at The Star Brisbane will be designed by heralded international architecture and interiors studio Hassell, with a hawker market-style aesthetic – complete with banquet tables and a high-energy open kitchen – expected to boast an immersive and transportive quality. As for the offering, diners will be able to enjoy Luke Nguyen’s signature melange of flavours, from established favourites like the 20-hour Fat Pho noodles, 12-hour slow-cooked beef rib pho and fiery laksa, to new dishes including crumbed pork Bo La Lot with betel leaf and lemongrass served on an Asian slaw. That’s not all The Star Brisbane brains trust is announcing today – joining Fat Noodle at the luxury development will be a lavish bar with a cheeky personality and an inviting diner open from morning to late …
Cherry and Food Quarter
Vibrant and bold, Cherry – The Star Brisbane’s lively cocktail bar – is set to attract sippers of all tastes when it opens at the resort in 2024. Sitting at the heart of The Star Brisbane, this 360-degree bar will pair opulent touches (draped in gold, red velvet and shimmering chandeliers) with come-at-able approachability. The concept, which can also be found at The Star Gold Coast and The Star Sydney, will be dispensing a range of cocktails, from classics to ‘designer drinks’. Cherry will feature a seasonal signature cocktail menu, which has been curated by The Star’s expert team of mixologists, so guests will surely find plenty on the menu to suit. Lingering late won’t be an issue either, because Food Quarter will be there to fill bellies with late-night bites. Described as a warm and inviting diner concept, Food Quarter is a one-stop, open-plan eatery boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out over the river. If you can tear your eyes away from the view, you’ll be able to peruse a menu that spans lunch items to evening delicacies. Both Cherry and Food Quarter will open at The Star Brisbane next year.
La Macelleria Gelateria
Last week, one of Brisbane’s best gelato makers, La Macelleria Gelateria, announced the forthcoming opening of another dispensary. Owner Matteo Zini revealed on Instagram that La Macelleria would be opening in mid-to-late September at Wooolloongabba’s South City Square, taking on an exceptionally cosy 9-sqm space near open-air bar Purple Palm. Matteo is working with By Proxy Retail to equip the space with everything needed to sling scoops, with 12-to-15 flavours of gelato, gelato pops, cannoli, rochers and cookies produced and delivered daily from La Macelleria’s West End location. The team is also making room for a single-handle coffee machine, which will be used to made affogato (shakes will also be available). The opening comes with the announcement that La Macelleria’s Coorparoo location will close, but thankfully locals will only have to travel one suburb over to get their fix. The new South City Square store isn’t the only thing Matteo has in the works – a new Gold Coast location is on the way, with La Macelleria expected to open in Mermaid Waters by the September school holidays.
Ardo’s Hawthorne
Ardo’s is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in Brisbane wine. City Winery’s neighbourhood-oriented wine bar and bottle-shop offshoot launched its debut location in Newstead in March, following up in June with the opening of its second location in Graceville. On Friday August 11, Ardo’s will lift the cloche on its third Brisbane location, which can be found on Lindsay Street in Hawthorne – just a cork toss from Downtown Istanbul. As always, you can expect Ardo’s to champion local wine producers that prioritise minimal-intervention practices, with esteemed Australian wine-makers showcased alongside City Winery’s own core collection. Platter provisions (cheese, charcuterie and assorted goodies) and a selection of pintxos-style snacks ordered by the piece will also be on offer for snacking.
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