Three Blue Ducks at W Brisbane
We’ve been eagerly awaiting the announcement of W Brisbane’s signature restaurant and the moment has finally arrived – Three Blue Ducks has confirmed it will be heading north to Queensland for the first time. The much-loved New South Wales restaurant group (with locations in Bronte, Byron Bay and Rosebery) is set to launch at W Brisbane in April this year, bringing its renowned paddock-to-plate ethos and honest cuisine. As with its other venues, sustainable, ethical, seasonal and locally sourced produce will dictate the menu, which will feature the best of Queensland and Northern New South Wales produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The relaxed setting will overlook the Brisbane River and reflect Three Blue Ducks’ grassroots dining experience, with nods to traditional Queensland architecture. A number of Three Blue Ducks’ signature dishes will be included on the menu – think spanner crab scramble with green mango, coal-roasted lamb, and corn fritters with guacamole and fermented cabbage – and the kitchen will feature a woodfired oven, rotisserie, charcoal pit and a cold seafood section showcasing oysters, Moreton Bay bugs and spanner crab.

Persone
The news keeps coming thick and fast for the eagerly anticipated dining precinct at Brisbane Quarter (which will neighbour W Brisbane), with the Gambaro Group getting in on the action with a massive announcement of its own. The venerable restaurateurs have announced the early July arrival of Persone, a contemporary Italian restaurant inspired by iconic film La Dolce Vita. The setting will boast an authentic Italian laneway aesthetic, with breezy alfresco dining, waterfront views and a private dining space. The menu will offer up light Mediterranean fare, incorporating traditional recipes from several of Italy’s diverse culinary regions but with a modern Australian approach.

The Lord Alfred
The establishment formerly known as Hotel LA is mid-way through a substantial overhaul, starting first and foremost with its name. The Lord Alfred is going back to its roots, restoring and highlighting the building’s rich history across a substantial makeover. After taking over the three-level establishment in October 2017, the new owners immediately got to work steering the vibe towards a food-oriented, community and family-friendly venue, getting started on installing eight (yes, eight) new bars, a venue-wide breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar-snack menu and several new nooks to get cosy in. Alfred’s Bar has already been unveiled, with two new additions – The Brasserie and The Verandah Bar – slated to open to the public on Wednesday February 21. The coming months will see more areas debut, including a 4-m walk-in wine fridge (and 1200 bottles to fill it), as well as the Cuban-inspired Quarterdeck, lush dining space Duke’s, street-level outdoor bar Alfie’s, exclusive boardroom Lord’s, and The Watch-house – a private entertainment space in the basement level where the building’s original gaol cells have been restored and converted. Keep your eyes peeled on The Weekend Edition for a detailed look closer to the overhaul’s completion in late April.

Daily Planet Cafe
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a brand-new cafe! Fortitude Valley wanderers may have seen some changes taking place at the former site of Foundry Records on Wickham Street, with signage going up heralding a March arrival of Daily Planet Cafe. The ground-floor venue, which is now owned and operated by media outlet scenestr, is bringing a pop culture-inspired take on hospitality, offering a short-order menu, coffee, space for meetings and a stage for live entertainment. The space will be decorated with an original roll of Superman wallpaper and images of iconic bands sourced from past editions of scenestr.

If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].

Image credit: Three Blue Ducks by Nikki To