Ehden Bar & Kitchen
Those wondering what is to become of the London Fields site on Montague Road now have some clarity, with news that restaurateur Simon Barakat (The Defiant Duck, Il Verde, Gino’s) has taken over the space, transforming it into Ehden Bar & Kitchen. For Simon, the concept marks a return to his roots – drawing upon his extensive hospitality experience and paying homage to his father and his Lebanese heritage (Ehden is the name of a village in the northern mountains of Lebanon) for the offering. Ehden will specialise in flavours of the Mediterranean and the Middle East across a bar snack and a la carte menu, segueing between rustically fresh and char-grilled eats including pumpkin kibbeh, charred chermoula-spiced prawns, house-made Lebanese sausages, za’atar grilled eggplant and more. Guests will be able to sprawl out across a bar and restaurant space, alfresco area and downstairs portion. Ehden Bar & Kitchen is expected to open in early November.
The Garner
West End and South Brisbane locals will soon have a new coffee and brunch spot to frequent when The Garner officially opens next week. Co-owned by Ethan Dou and Jerry Huang (the former also operates Brisbane City caffeine spot Street Lab Specialty Coffee), The Garner is situated on Browning Street in the space formerly occupied by Duo Bar & Restaurant. The duo have given the venue a full aesthetic overhaul, with a cosy vibe running throughout. Jerry is heading up the kitchen, and will be putting together a menu of Asian-fusion eats focusing on rice and grains (the word garner is an old-school term for a granary), with dishes such as chicken katsu sando (with rice patties instead of bread), congee and quinoa salads expected to feature. Much like Ethan’s other project Street Lab, you can expect phenomenal coffee, with a rotating roster of roasters providing an exceptional array of brews. We’ll have a closer look at The Garner once it is officially up and running!
Ninebar + Kitchen
Beloved family-owned Coorparoo institution Belesis Cafe Restaurant on Old Cleveland Road is undergoing some changes. Since the establishment’s original owner Daniel Bellas retired in April after 19 years of operating the cafe, his son Mark has gamely stepped up to helm the venue’s next phase, continuing the cafe’s wholesome community-focused spirit in its new guise as Ninebar + Kitchen. Having grown up in and around the restaurant (and working as a fruit and vegetable supplier to some of Brisbane’s best cafes), Mark boasts his fair share of hospitality experience, and is relishing the opportunity to return to his roots with a classic offering forged from seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Ninebar + Kitchen will serve recognisable breakfast and lunch dishes with some flavoursome tweaks thrown into the mix (as well as coffee from Fonzie Abbott), while also bringing back old Belesis favourites – including the famed chicken pesto linguine! The venue will boast space for more than 80 patrons, with Mark and his team currently giving the space an earthy and greenery-laden overhaul ahead of Ninebar + Kitchen’s opening in mid-November.
Yes Sir Cafe & Bar
Lutwyche is also on the receiving end of some exciting newness, with coffee and toastie outlet Yes Sir Cafe & Bar aiming for a mid-November opening. This 70-seater hub will boast a chic Los Angeles laneway vibe, with a sunny deck and lawn area open for folks to sprawl and soak up some rays. Yes Sir’s offering will be concise – gourmet toasted sandwiches, fresh doughnuts and coffee are the specialties – but the venue will come alive on weekends, pouring craft beer and wine while some of Brisbane’s best food trucks roll up to hawk all sorts of tasty street food. Stay tuned for more on this one!
20 20 Distillery
Queensland’s boutique gin scene is growing, with several home-grown operations producing spirits of a quality to rival even the biggest names. A new entrant into the scene is currently underway in Cooroy in the Noosa Hinterland, with its name taking inspiration from the year to be – 2020. 20 20 Distillery is the brainchild of Brian Bedding, who has been gradually putting the pieces together for his dream distillery over the past two years. Brian plans to use the Sunshine Coast’s bountiful fruit bowl to help concoct a selection of gins, single-malt whisky and liqueurs, with recipes inspired by traditional methods. 20 20 Distillery will land in May next year, with Founders’ Club subscriptions available to purchase on the distillery’s website soon.
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