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Pavement Whispers: Volume 298 March 9 Pavement Whispers: Volume 298 March 9 Pavement Whispers: Volume 298 March 9 Pavement Whispers: Volume 298 March 9

Pavement Whispers: Volume 298 March 9

From news of a Bali-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant for Bulimba and a brand-new cafe-meets-wine bar in Coorparoo, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …


Melrose
The Venzin Group has barely had a chance to catch its breath after the January opening of Darvella Patisserie and the team is already jumping into its next venture. Melrose is a forthcoming Indonesian-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar, which is currently being constructed by Tonic Projects directly above Darvella on Oxford Street in Bulimba. Inspired and informed by Melrose owners Giorgina Venzin and Chris Hollingsworth’s frequent food-centric holidays to Bali and Thailand, the restaurant will be drawing upon some rich culinary history for its menu offering. Helming the Melrose kitchen will be Arté Assavakavinvong, who recently worked as the head chef at lauded Melbourne restaurant Longrain. Arté’s menu will utilise local ingredients to deliver a culinary experience shaped by modern-Asian twists – think grilled banana-wrapped coral trout and turmeric curries with green melon, jackfruit, eggplant and betel leaf. The venue will also look to rejuvenate Oxford Street’s nightlife with a colourful atmosphere courtesy of some chic Balinese-inspired decor and a beverage menu featuring spritzes and other lively libations. Melrose is scheduled to open in May – stay tuned for more details.

Balance & Blend Cafe
The bustling intersection connecting Cavendish and Old Cleveland Roads will be the lucky recipient of a brand-new cafe and wine bar come April when Balance & Blend Cafe opens its doors to the public. This multifaceted venture, which is taking over the site formerly home to Cafeine Cafe, is looking to add a convenient go-to for early morning coffee seekers and evening vino lovers alike. Established in part as a satellite cellar door for Granite Belt winery Balancing Heart Vineyard, Balance & Blend will not only showcase the vineyard’s best small-batch varieties and blends, but will also look to spotlight the best produce from the Southern Downs region. During the day the cafe will serve breakfast, lunch and coffee to the local community before pivoting in the evening to serve a bistro-style menu of modern-Australian bites complemented by an array of drops from Balancing Heart and other wineries. Work is currently underway overhauling the space, which will result in a design featuring concrete rendered elements, rattan pendant lighting, pale-green VJ boards and a repositioned kitchen.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
The gnocchi train keeps on chugging! The crew behind Brisbane’s preeminent gnoccheria concept Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers will be opening another outlet this Thursday March 11 at Westfield Carindale, marking the brand’s first foray into food court-style service in Brisbane. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers will be located at Westfield Carindale’s upper foodcourt (just below Event Cinemas), opening seven days a week for lunch and also for dinner service from Thursday to Sunday. The concept’s full menu of pillowy soft gnocchi will be available alongside its famed sides, which means you’ll be able to quickly indulge in the full Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers experience while shopping up a storm!

Ballistic Beer Co expands
Make a note of this tidbit of news if you’ve got some travels to north Queensland planned for 2021 – local legend Ballistic Beer Co. is adding two breweries to its thriving portfolio (which includes its Salisbury headquarters, West End ale house and Springfield Central brewpub), expanding its reach northward to some popular tourist destinations. Ballistic Beer Co. has acquired The Whitsunday Island Brewing Company in Airlie Beach and Bargara Brewing in Bundaberg, bringing its total number of bars to five. Whitsunday Island Brewery will be rebranded to Ballistic Whitsundays after some minor refitting and brewery upgrades, while Bargara Brewing will become Ballistic Bagara, with the brewery’s existing drops like the Thirsty Turtle Lager and Rusty Roo Red Ale remaining on tap alongside Ballistic’s range of core brews.

One Fish Two Fish’s Great Friday feast
If you adhere to the age-old tradition that one eats fish rather than meat on Good Friday, take note – one of Brisbane’s best seafood spots is putting on a spread that’ll elevate Good to Great. One Fish Two Fish will be hosting a seven-course Great Friday dining experience on Friday April 2, with executive chef Daniel Miletic serving up a bounty of eats including Moreton Bay bug toast with Japanese citrus pepper aioli, crispy fast-fried calamari with black salt and pepper, and Fraser Isle spanner crab omelette topped with green papaya and herb salad. What’s Easter without Easter eggs? Diners will finish their feast with a decadent egg filled with white chocolate cheesecake and mango gel. There will be two Great Friday sittings on the day (12:00–2:00 pm and 2:30–4:30 pm) – you can secure your space here or find out more details in our Event Guide.

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

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



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