The Ballpark
Portside Wharf’s ongoing evolution is building up steam with the precinct’s latest announcement. Joining the waterfront hub later this year will be The Ballpark – an Australian-first sports and entertainment concept merging American-themed sports bar with immersive game facilities. Taking shape inside a 450-sqm space along the riverfront, The Ballpark will boast three baseball cages (two with their own concrete grandstands and one VIP cage with private lounges), with guests able to knock real baseballs (with real baseball bats) into a virtual field, complete with tracking, fielders and home runs to simulate a full game. Competitive guests will be able to go head-to-head with their mates across a number of pool tables and dart boards, before cooling off with a cold one at the bar or with a brew at the on-site coffee shop. Sports fans will also be able to catch the latest big-league fixtures at The Ballpark, with a number of screens broadcasting a host of major sporting events. With room for 200 guests and several break-out spaces for functions and events, The Ballpark is shaping up to be a great spot for parties and casual neighbourhood hangs. Bookings are now open for events from September 5 – stay tuned for a look inside once The Ballpark officially opens.
YOMG
A super-popular Melbourne-born burger and self-serve frozen-yoghurt brand is coming to Brisbane. Yo My Goodness or YOMG (pronounced ‘yo-em-gee’) is embarking on its first interstate expansion, with its debut Brisbane site set to open at Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre’s outdoor dining precinct on Saturday June 8. The YOMG team will be bringing its full menu to Brisbane, which includes house-made hand-pressed burgers, shakes (made with hand-scooped vanilla ice-cream) and artisanal frozen yoghurt and acai, which can be upgraded at the self-serve toppings bar. Whether you’re a fan of loaded burgs or creamy spirals of confection-coated fro-yo, YOMG will have something to tantalise your taste buds. Keep your eyes peeled for more.
Mini
If you’re yet to dine at Mini, the Happy Boy team’s French-inspired pop-up bistro, consider this your final reminder to do so. Mini will be closing at the end of this week in anticipation of the long-awaited arrival of East Street Dining’s wine bar and small plates specialist, Petite. Before it calls time, Mini will continue to serve its menu of knockout fare, including beef tartare with egg yolk and croutons, potted confit duck with whipped potato and comte cream, onion tarte tatin with creme fraiche, and baked scallops with chorizo and celeriac cream. This Friday the team will also be offering its popular lunch special menu, which features the likes of cordon bleu chicken with truffle jus, pan-fried fish with beurre blanc and steak frites with cafe de Paris butter. As there’s no official word on Petite’s opening date just yet, we suggest getting in to get a fix of Mini’s French fare one last time. Head to the pop-up’s website to make a booking.
And, in case you missed the news …
Bar Miette
Some massive news dropped last week from Trader House, the Melbourne-based hospitality group that’s bringing famed Asian-inspired restaurant Supernormal to Brisbane. The group’s head honchos, Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, revealed that Supernormal wouldn’t be the only concept the group will be opening in The City – joining Supernormal will be Bar Miette, a European-inspired terrace bar positioned on the street level above Supernormal at 443 Queen Street. The venue will feature an intimate curved bar (with only 12–15 interior seats) and a verdant outdoor terrace offering views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Bar Miette will serve a European-style breakfast menu in the early hours, which will flow seamlessly into a lunchtime offering featuring the likes of perfectly composed salads, seafood on ice and charcuterie. As the sun dips below the horizon, expect to find share-style small bites, classic cocktails and an extensive wine list. That’s not all – Andrew and Jo have also announced the appointment of Jason Barratt (formerly of Halcyon House’s Paper Daisy) as executive chef of both venues, with Alex Tuckett (former venue manager at Frida’s Field) overseeing the front of house as venue manager. Supernormal and Bar Miette are due to open in late June/early July. Keep an eye on The Weekend Edition for updates.
Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro
The Star Brisbane also joined the announcement train last week, revealing that the Gambaro Group would be bringing its lauded steakhouse to Queens Wharf this August. Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro will open on the riverfront forecourt, with the new iteration expected to boast a 240-seat capacity and a swish new interior-design scheme boasting light timbers, natural materials, sage-green banquettes and an impressive tree centrepiece. In addition to its renowned steak offering, Black Hide’s refreshed menu will include a slew of seafood dishes (made using fresh catches sourced from across Queensland), while the venue’s cocktail-oriented lounge bar will be dispensing a tight selection of small plates. Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro will join the likes of Sokyo, Cucina Regina, Fat Noodle and Sky Deck’s three high-rise concepts.
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