Mei Wei Dumplings
Our dumpling-loving friends down south frequently rave to us about the artfully crafted goodies at Mei Wei Dumplings at The Star Gold Coast and soon we’ll be able to savour the delights ourselves when Mei Wei Dumplings expands to Treasury Brisbane next month. Taking over the subterranean space that once housed casual-dining venue Bite (accessed directly from George Street), Mei Wei Dumplings will fuse far-Eastern aesthetics with the heritage aspects of its Treasury home. Mei Wei’s executive chef Song Yao Su will be transporting the concept’s back-to-basics philosophy of hawker-style Cantonese fare to the new location, crafting a menu of Mei Wei favourites and some new signature dishes to boot. Expect to sample the likes of char siu pork, crispy duck and scores of dumplings when Mei Wei Dumplings officially opens to the general public on Thursday March 12.
The Wolfe’s Artist Degustation Series
Eucalyptus jelly balanced on a tipping plate, octopus and wagyu served in a laser-etched glass petri dish, and kangaroo, emu and beetroot devoured using scented cutlery – it’s not some bizarre science experiment, this is the adventurous culinary concept on offer at East Brisbane fine-dining restaurant The Wolfe. Restaurateur Josue Lopez has teamed up with Brisbane-based artist Elizabeth Willing for a year-long series of art-infused degustations, serving intricate morsels with custom handmade cutlery, plate ware, glasses and napkins – each designed to re-choreograph the diner’s body and inspire them to interact with their food in new ways. Elizabeth has made a name for herself in the art scene by using food as a medium, transforming the dining table into a stage for experiential works. This culinary collaboration will run throughout 2020 and is officially kicking off tonight, Tuesday February 18. Highlights from the menu include bowls made from bees wax, which come lit to the table and filled with a dessert of honey and flowers, as well as Fraser Island spanner crab consomme served in a ‘bubble cup’ with seaweed. Bookings are essential, and can be made through The Wolfe’s website.
Chefs’ Dinner Series at City Winery
What was your favourite food growing up? Cheerios? Froot Loops? Fairy Bread? That is the question being asked at the first iteration of City Winery’s newest foodie event, the Chef’s Dinner Series. On Sunday February 23, City Winery’s kitchen will be taking diners on a stroll down memory lane, putting together a creative one-off menu of childhood favourites. While details on the menu are being kept close to the chest, one can expect outside-the-box ideas and nostalgia-inducing flavours. The series will alter its theme each month based on the whims of head chef Travis Crane and his team – the only guarantee is that it will be creative. The event will cost $75 for dinner, or $110 with paired wines. Make a booking here.
Beers on the Lawn
Are you a beer lover? If so, we suggest you make your way down to Howard Smith Wharves this weekend for the return of its Beers on the Lawn event. After a strong showing in 2019, the 2020 iteration of the event will once again bring together several of Queensland’s best craft-beer brewers for a two-day celebration taking place on February 22 and 23 from 4:00–10:00 pm on the East, Main and Rivershed lawns. Popping up across the weekend will be the likes of Moffat Beach Brewing Co., Aether Brewing, Slipstream Brewing Co., Range Brewing, Soapbox Beer, Sealegs Brewing Co., Revel Brewing Co., Helios Brewing Co., Land & Sea Brewing Co., Ballistic Beer Co., Semi-Pro Brewing Co., Your Mates Brewing Co., and Noosa Beer Co., while home-ground hero Felons Brewing Co. will be hosting home-brew demonstrations across the weekend. Not a beer drinker? Not a problem – Art of Booze Gin, Happy Kombucha, Jilly Wines, Unico Zelo, Harvest, Billy Button, Latta Vino and Cork & Co. will also be on hand. As for the food, drinkers can line their stomachs with morsels from a barbecue-centric menu – think pork ribs, chicken wings and burgers, as well as smoked platters piled high with ribs, smoked brisket, pickled cucumber, corn bread, fries and slaw. Beers on the Lawn is a family and pet-friendly event, with artwork sessions, live music, lawn games, table tennis and a jumping castle offering plenty of fun for everyone.
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