Ithaka
Greek cuisine will take centre stage at Ithaka, a new pop-up restaurant and bar opening in South Bank at 5:00 pm tomorrow, Wednesday November 22. While most details are being kept hush-hush for now, we can reveal that the concept’s menu will be inspired by the food and flavours of the Ionian Islands, which sit off Greece’s western coastline. Guests can expect everything from chargrilled seafood and meats to vibrant vegetable dishes, all of which pairs perfectly with Ithaka’s picturesque riverfront location. There’ll also be a focus on Greek wines, beer and spirits alongside a clutch of Aussie wines. Keep your eyes on The Weekend Edition for more info on Ithaka later this week.
Little Red Bakery
A Red Hill favourite is set to receive a new lease on life this week under the stewardship of some new owners. This Wednesday, popular brunch spot Little Red Providore on Windsor Road will relaunch as Little Red Bakery, the newest concept in the portfolio of Eddy Tice and Ania Kutek – the brains behind carby concepts NYC Bagel Deli, Superthing and Cordelia Sourdough Bakehouse. The duo, who have been the baked-goods supplier of choice for Little Red Providore since its inception, jumped at the opportunity to take over the business when its previous owners announced it was for sale earlier this year. The team has been running Little Red Providore since September, slowly putting plans in motion for a swift reno and rebrand, which is taking place this week. Once reopen on Wednesday, locals will be able to enjoy extra seating, a retooled brunch menu and a whole new offering of baked goods. A refreshed service counter – now equipped with a new Victoria Arduino Black Eagle coffee machine pouring brew from Allpress Espresso – will boast a pastry cabinet showcasing some of Superthing’s finest flaky creations, while a bread display will be laden with Cordelia’s signature loaves and NYC’s bagels. On the brunch front, much of the offering remains unchanged – you’ll still spy crowd-favourite options like Little Red Providore’s breakfast baos – but Eddy and Ania are adding new options into the mix, including acai bowls and Superthing’s croissant eggs Benedict. Keen for more? Stay tuned for a peek inside Little Red Bakery soon!
Baked by M&G
Calling all Coorparoo residents! A new bakehouse specialising in Greek goodies is opening in your neighbourhood this Saturday November 25, and its giving 100 lucky locals the chance to win some tasty freebies to celebrate. The familiar faces behind beloved market fixture Baked by M&G will be cutting the ribbon on its very first bricks-and-mortar location on Old Cleveland Road, debuting a broadened selection of baked goods and sweets, plus delicious brew from Melbourne’s Rosso Coffee. For the uninitiated, Baked by M&G started three years ago as a dark kitchen concept, which saw owners Mel and Georgia weaving traces of their Greek heritage into a concise range of covetable goodies – first cupcakes, cookies and brownies, followed by Greek sweets, baklava and biscuits. Mel and Georgia’s new Coorparoo shopfront will see the sisters build upon their roster even further, adding pastries, savouries and more Greek desserts to the offering, which will be unveiled this weekend. Speaking of this weekend, the first 100 guests to get through the doors will score one free item up to the value of $10. How about a flaky slab of spanakopita, or a slice of gooey custard-filled galaktoboureko? Baked by M&G’s Coorparoo shop will be opening this Saturday at 7:00 am – will we see you there?
Sky Deck at The Star Brisbane
As we get closer to the official opening date of Queen’s Wharf, expect announcements regarding the precinct’s food and beverage options to come thick and fast. Announcements just like the one The Star Brisbane dropped this morning, which revealed names and renders of the venues set to take up residence at the hub’s rooftop playground Sky Deck. Leading the culinary offering will be The Star Brisbane’s signature restaurant Aloria, an elegant Euro-inspired dining destination using time-honoured woodfire techniques to bring the best out of dry-aged beef and sensational Queensland seafood. Aloria will also boast a cellar filled to the brim with premium vino, while a dedicated martini menu will offer everything from simple, well-executed classics to inventive riffs. Also occupying prime position at Sky Deck will be Babblers, a family-friendly all-day diner serving share-style feeds (think hand-crafted flatbreads crowned with seasonal produce) alongside Australian craft beer and wines. At the centre of Sky Deck will sit Cicada Blu, an open-air bar serving pre-dinner aperitifs and botanical-infused post-dinner cocktails. To get a glimpse at the renders for Aloria, Babblers and Cicada Blu, be sure to check out our more in-depth rundown of the exciting news.
Fishbowl
It’s been a big year for Fishbowl, which built upon its early expansion efforts in 2022 by opening new sites in Newmarket, Chermside and Brisbane City. The crew is ending the year on a high with one more opening, this time at Woolloongabba’s South City Square precinct. Fishbowl will also be indulging in some name alignment in next year, opening a Fishbowl location at Fish Lane in South Brisbane in early 2024. While exact opening dates for these locations are still to be decided, rest assured we’ll let you know when you can get your Fishbowl fix.
Good Lookin’ Rooster
Last Friday, the team behind beloved cooked-chook dispensary Good Lookin’ Rooster opened the doors to a brand-new location at the Rode Road Shopping Centre in Stafford. Known for serving some of the most succulent free-range rotisserie-roasted chickens in town (plus crispy schnitzel burgers, chook and chip butties and vibrantly fresh salads), more Good Lookin’ Rooster locations is something we can get behind. To celebrate the opening of the Stafford outpost, the Good Lookin’ Rooster team will be giving away serves of its popular gluten-free chips with every purchase all day and night on Saturday December 2. Don’t live near Stafford? No problem – the promo is also running at Good Lookin’ Rooster’s Albion and Milton locations.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].
