Rockpool Group
You may have heard it over the weekend – Neil Perry’s Rockpool Group has been acquired by Urban Purveyor Group, which we in Brisbane can thank for Bavarian Bier Café and Saké. And soon, dear readers, we’ll be able to thank it for much more. The acquisition means a number of new venues are on the cards, many of which are headed for Brisbane. Are you ready for this? First up, the end of 2016 will see the opening of Fratelli Famous Pizzeria at Eagle Street Pier, the fast casual spin-off of Sydney’s popular Italian diner Fratelli Fresh. As we announced a few months ago, Neil Perry’s Burger Project will open its first Queensland location at Southpoint in February 2017, with another on Edward Street planned for May 2017. Munich Brauhaus’ opening has been delayed slightly to April 2017, bringing Bavarian goodness to South Bank’s heritage-listed Allgas Building. And finally, we’re set to be graced with Neil Perry’s famous Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple, hopefully opening late 2017/early 2018.
Allium
The former site of The Foraging Quail in New Farm is being brought back to life, with Allium set to open its doors this Friday November 11. The restaurant is the brainchild of husband and wife James and Kylie Gallagher, who promise high-end cuisine without the hefty price tag. Chef James, who has worked in a number of acclaimed London restaurants and was previously sous chef at Sofitel’s Privé249, will be plating up familiar-yet-inventive dishes, aiming to make fine dining more approachable. Diners will be treated to dishes such as marbled wagyu skirt with caramelised onion petals, miso eggplant puree and black garlic, or lightly cured kingfish paired with compressed cucumber and buttermilk, and finished with a green-apple sorbet. We’ll have more details for you in the coming days!
Gelato Messina
We were a little teary when October came and went, and Gelato Messina didn’t open its doors in South Brisbane as originally planned. Our tears have turned to those of joy, as Gelato Messina will be popping up for two nights at the Milton Markets! As part of the markets’ two-night Christmas celebration Christmas on Cribb on December 15–16, the gelateria will be scooping some exclusive Christmas flavours of its famous gelato. Messina will appear alongside Milton Markets’ many artisan stalls, as well as pop-up bars, gourmet food stalls and more. Oh, and Gelato Messina is still coming to South Brisbane – you just have to wait a little longer.
Jamie’s Italian
In June this year we heard news that Keystone Hospitality Group had collapsed, questioning the future of a number of Australian eateries, including all six of Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian restaurants. Late last week the man himself announced he had bought all six of his namesake Australian restaurants, with locations in Sydney CBD, Canberra, Parramatta, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. Jamie promises to invest even more time and money in the restaurants, placing a strong focus on the creative use of great Australian produce.
Istanbul Eats
If you’re a fan of Halal Snack Packs (HSPs), then we’ve got great news for you! Arguably one of the best HSP purveyors in town, Istanbul Eats, is on the move. The food van will continue to operate from its main location in Salisbury, but is currently on the look out for other places to park around Brisbane due to popular demand. Istanbul Eats is hoping to bring its fine kebab goodness to a number of locations, so if you have a request be sure to comment on its Facebook page. And if you’re yet to experience the Halal Snack Pack joy, here’s the low-down – chicken-salted chips loaded with delicious kebab meat, melted cheese and the perfect combination of garlic, barbecue and chilli sauces. Oof.
Image courtesy of Burger Project.
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