Stavros the Greek
Renata Roberts, the brains behind Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta, is about to conquer another cuisine. Stavros the Greek is set to open in the first week of December on Kenmore’s Wongabel Street, a few doors down from the original Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta. Much like its ultra-manly name, the Stavros space will be very masculine, with high ceilings, louvred walls and lots of polished concrete, offset by its feminine adjoining bar Sunset, splashed with apricot and pink tones. Simple modern Greek food will be on offer – expect charred seafood, blistering fried sheep’s milk cheeses, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, succulent souvlaki, house-made Greek ice-cream and desserts served to the soundtrack of traditional Greek beats pumping from the 70s sound system.
Casa Cibo
Another piece of the Westfield Chermside dining precinct is about to be revealed. Casa Cibo is due to open in early December, a massive two-level Italian eatery set to seat approximately 350 patrons. Rendered surfaces, marble counters and custom tiling will give the space a rustic Italian feel, in addition to two impressive custom Stefano Ferrara woodfired pizza ovens imported from Naples. Ex-Jamie’s Italian executive chef Joey Goldman has come on board as executive chef at Casa Cibo, creating a wholesome menu that centres around the Stefano Ferrara ovens, including woodfired roasted porchetta, Napolitano-style woodfired pizzas and 24-hour slow-cooked lamb ragu.
Chalk Hotel
Whenever you cruise down Stanley Street, do you find yourself wondering what they are going to do with the Chalk Hotel? The answer is that they are bringing it back to life. According to a report from The Courier-Mail, the dormant pub, which has been closed for almost two years after receivers moved in and locked the doors, is set to reopen. The hotel will be part of a multimillion-dollar 10,000-sqm mixed-use development that will take over several properties on Chalk’s perimeter, driven by the Barakat Group and Dyldam Group. Approximately $3 million will be dedicated to upgrading and improving the Chalk Hotel, which will include a refurb of the building and new beer garden. Don’t get too excited for post-summer cricket sessions though – construction is due to commence in the coming 12 months and the venue will most likely open upon completion of the site, which will take an estimated three years.
Scrumptious Reads
James Street’s Scrumptious Reads is on the move! The purveyor of foodie literature has moved into new digs in Red Hill as of Monday November 20, which will operate as a pop-up until Christmas from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm seven days. Next year the team will give the space an overhaul to recreate that quirky Scrumptious Reads charm, but you’ll still be able to find an abundance of gifts for the food lovers in your life (or yourself) in the meantime. Don’t fret if you can’t make it to Red Hill before Christmas – Scrumptious Reads will be back on James Street on December 23 and 24 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, popping up in Bucci’s private dining room for all of those last-minute Christmas gifts.
Sabo Skirt
In the past few years, local label Sabo Skirt has taken the online-shopping world by storm. Founders Thessy and Yiota Kouzoukas are now turning their virtual store into reality, with their first bricks-and-mortar boutique due to open at Westfield Chermside in late November. The Sabo Skirt store will showcase the label’s much-loved items, as well as the girls’ Sabo Luxe, Sabo Swim and Sabo Mini collections.
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