Baker D. Chirico
Next year is set to be a big one for Brisbane’s baked-goods scene, with some notable interstate names making their first forays into our local market. One of Melbourne’s most highly regarded bakeries, Baker D. Chirico, has announced plans to open a production bakery, shopfront and cafe in Newstead next year. Securing a space at the base of Cavcorp’s Long Island development on Longland Street, the bakery (which also boasts locations in Carlton and St Kilda) will feature as part of a forthcoming piazza-style micro precinct. Head honcho Daniel Chirico has earned a reputation as one of Melbourne’s best bakers, specialising in loaves and pastries crafted using traditional bread-making techniques, natural fermentations and biodynamic stone-milled wholegrain flour. His Brisbane expansion will feature a full-scale baking kitchen, which will be utilised to make a range of artisanal products inspired by French, German and Italian baking cultures as well as a concise bakery-style breakfast menu (no bacon and eggs, sorry pals!). The Baker D. Chirico team will be linking up with local dairy, small-goods and fruit-and-vegetable suppliers to imbue its products with prime Queensland produce, and will also offer wholesale for restaurants operating in the inner-north catchment. Melbourne-based practice March Studio is conceptualising the interior aesthetic, crafting a next-level design reminiscent of an inverted bread basket. Baker D. Chirico is aiming to open in April or May next year. As always, we’ll share more details as we get them!
Lune Croissanterie
Another noteworthy Melbourne pastry player is aiming for a winter 2021 launch, with Lune Croissanterie last week announcing that it has secured a sizeable space on Fish Lane for a full-scale production outlet. The opportunity to launch in Brisbane comes after Lune’s anticipated Sydney expansion was forced back due to pandemic-induced delays, with Lune co-owners Kate Reid, Cameron Reid and Nathan Toleman electing to put their already completed prep work towards the South Brisbane site instead. The Fish Lane footprint is reportedly comparable to that of its hugely popular Fitzroy headquarters, with Hogg & Lamb tabbed to oversee the design. We’ve been told to expect a jaw-dropping experience that will be unique to Brisbane, but Lune’s fabled menu will feature in its entirety. That means locals will be able to get their hands on some of Lune’s famed traditional French croissants (which are created over a three-day process), pain au chocolat, kouign-amann, lemon-curd-filled cruffins and twice-baked almond croissants, as well as a special menu of goodies rotating monthly. Click here to read all about the exciting announcement!
Slipstream Brewing
Slipstream Brewing Co., one of Brisbane’s most popular creators of craft beer, is commencing a sizeable undertaking with plans for an extension and upgrade of its popular Yeerongpilly brewery and taproom. Founders Deale and Elisa Stanley-Hunt have acquired a neighbouring building – formerly home to an industrial mechanic workshop – to transform it into a welcoming brewpub that will be large enough to accommodate 250 patrons across indoor and outdoor dining spaces, as well as a full industrial kitchen equipped with a pizza oven and smoker. When the space opens at the end of February, locals will be able to saunter in for a taste of Slipstream’s brand-new food menu comprised of woodfired pizzas, smoked meats and fresh seafood. To coincide with the additions, the Slipstream crew has also added a new beer to its core range. The Regatta Lager is a refreshing drop inspired by the helles-style lagers of Germany, with a malt-forward flavour and balanced bitterness accentuated by the light notes of herbal hops and fresh bread aromas. Slipstream’s extra room will also allow the team to host beer masterclasses, meet-the-brewer sessions, beer dinners and froth-soaked festivals. Keep an eye out for the launch of Slipstream’s new addition in early 2021.
FRESH BLOOD
Vino lovers, take note – London-born (and Australia/UK-based) collective The Fruitful Pursuit is launching its next wave of experiential wine-centric celebrations in January with FRESH BLOOD, a two-day showcase of emerging and breakthrough winemakers. The team has locked in neighbouring Teneriffe venues Siffredi’s Spaghetti Bar and Zero Fox as the hosts for the event, which will see winemakers from South Australia and Victoria showing off some of the best drops each state has to offer. On Saturday January 16, FRESH BLOOD will bring together eight small-batch winemakers from South Australia (Ada Wine Co, Geyer Wine Co, Riley Harrison Wines, Hills Collide, Moorak Wine, Slow Lane Wines, Sven Joschke Wine and VHS Wines) as well as Fabien Jouves from France for an afternoon of grape chat and tastings. Sunday January 17 will place Victoria under the microscope, with Alkimi Wines, Analog Wine, Company Wine, CRÉ Wines, Little Brunswick Wine Co, Little Reddie Wines, Pyren Vineyard and Live Wire Wines showcasing some top drops alongside a guest appearance by Chilean-wine importer Alice L’Estrange. A one-day pass will include a take-home glass, tastings of more than 30 wines and a snack and a sweet from Siffredi’s or Zero Fox (your choice). Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
Reading Cinemas
Although it’s been a bit of a curly year for cinephiles, the moviegoing experience is far from dead. In news that will hearten any movie lover, Reading Cinemas has announced that it will open its most advanced cinema complex in Australia at recently redeveloped DFO Jindalee on Boxing Day. The premium complex will feature fully reclining seats in every one of its six auditoriums, as well as a new TITAN LUXE auditorium that will come equipped with Dolby Atmos and top-of-the-line 4K digital-projection equipment for a real blow-your-hair-back experience. Those that like a theatre-going adventure with all of the trimmings will also be able to enjoy an enhanced food and beverage offering, so make sure you don’t overdo it on popcorn!
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].
