Ready for a new dining experience against a backdrop of city views? This rooftop venue is ready to set foot at the new Jubilee Place in Fortitude Valley later in the year.
The team behind Evita Restaurant & Bar and Mina Italian is showing no signs of stopping. Fresh from the opening of Lina Rooftop, they are yet again opening another dining venue. This time, atop Fortitude Valley’s luxurious Jubilee Place on St Paul’s Terrace.
Soko will be set on a lush, greenery-filled rooftop venue and will serve a mouth-watering combination of Peruvian and Japanese-inspired dishes guaranteed to satisfy the palate of 500 diners.
Photo Credit: Jubilee Place / jubileeplace.com.au
Whilst the full menu is yet to be revealed, expect ceviche, traditional lomito al jugo, yakitori and sashimi, plus grade nine wagyu with yuzu kosho to be part of what’s on offer. These delectable dishes will be prepared by Soko Rooftop’s specialist chefs.
Drinks that will be on offer include specially curated wine and sake with 40 flavours of pisco sours filling up the cocktail menu.
Photo Credit: Jubilee Place / jubileeplace.com.au
And as if the amazing views from the top are not enough, the venue will also be treating its patrons with some Latin music, dancers and bongo players to complement the food and drinks.
Soko Rooftop will be taking residence on the 14th floor of Jubilee Place at 470 St Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley beginning early November 2022. Hours of operation will be from 11 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday (Lunch); 5 pm to late, Wednesday to Friday (Dinner) and from noon to late on weekends.
Jubilee Place at 470 St Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley
A QUT scientist will lead a team of researchers that will investigate a new method to prevent the spread of emerging viruses such as COVID-19 and Monkeypox.
QUT’s Dr Nathan Boase, a polymer chemist who researches nanomedicines, is the chief investigator of the two-year project whose specific aim is to develop a “stop-gap” therapeutic that will buy scientists some time to develop a vaccine.
The team will attempt to target the membrane that envelopes the virus and disrupt it so that the virus won’t be able to merge with the human cells.
“This project is the first step towards the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics that can be stockpiled, at low cost, and rapidly deployed to fill the gap between the emergence of a new viral disease and the development of an effective vaccine,” Dr Boase said.
“These new therapies are needed to protect civilian populations and to maintain operational preparedness of military forces.”
Discovery Award Grant
The project will initially focus on providing proof of concept. It will be funded by a $US200,000 Discovery Award grant from the U.S. Department of Defense under its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
Dr Boase will be working with QUT’s Centre for Materials Science and School of Chemistry and Physics, Professor Kathryn Fairfull-Smith, Professor Leonie Barner, and Dr Kirsty Short from the University of Queensland.
Dr Boase said he learned about the U.S. Department of Defense funding program – which is granted each year to research projects such as those in areas of combating emerging viral diseases – during the 2020 lockdown. It was then that he thought of pivoting his efforts and helping in the fight against these diseases.
“The current emergence of Monkeypox highlights the need for these rapid therapeutics.” | Photo Credit: Fusion Medical Animation / Unsplash
“When a new virus emerges like COVID did, we are woefully underprepared to protect ourselves from it. Even with rapid development it still took 11 months to develop a vaccine for COVID,” furthers Dr Boase..
“With thousands of mammalian viruses not yet discovered and a continued push to globalisation, the unfortunate reality is that future viral pandemics are inevitable. The current emergence of Monkeypox, as we are only just recovering from the COVID pandemic, highlights the need for these rapid therapeutics.
“We need to have broad-spectrum therapeutics on hand that can reduce disease severity, irrelevant of viral strain, in the interim until a vaccine can be produced.
He explained that whilst the vaccine targets the virus, its aim is to target the casing that surrounds all these types of viruses. They hope to achieve this by synthesising new polymers to bind to virus casings and then investigating which of these polymers are the “most effective at weakening those casings.”
With the two-year research, the team hopes to produce preliminary findings that will attract more funding from medical grants.
“We want this initial project to produce the fundamental new scientific knowledge that will allow for the eventual development of a clinical therapeutic that can aid in the defence against emerging viral diseases,” Professor Leonie Barner explained.
Two leading organisations in Brisbane have teamed up to fund new trauma research that aims to curb e-scooter related injuries, benefiting riders in the Safe Nights Precincts that include Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane, where there have been several incidents of e-scooter mishaps.
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Foundation and RACQ will donate a combined $200,000 to support the two-year study, led by researchers from Jamieson Trauma Institute (JTI) in collaboration with major Hospital Emergency Departments, including RBWH.
RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said this valuable and timely research offers significant potential to improve the safety of e-mobility both in Queensland and around the world, as the number of e-mobility injuries increases.
Photo credit: Dominika Roseclay/Pexels
Jamieson Trauma Institute is one of the top institutes in injury surveillance research and they have already been advising government-level strategies on electronic personal mobility devices or e-PMD injuries.
JTI found in their latest analysis that males accounted for 63 percent of all e-scooter injuries with those aged 25-34 years the most common age group followed by 18–24-year-olds at 28 percent.
Dr Gary Mitchell, Emergency Department Staff Specialist at RBWH, added that the majority of ED presentations occur on weekends, with Friday the most common weekday.
David Carter, CEO at RACQ said the findings would be used to shape policy and regulatory responses and better educate Queenslanders on how to be safe on e-mobility devices.
Photo credit: Norma Mortenson/Pexels
“This research will give us a thorough understanding on how many people are ending up in hospital emergency departments with e-mobility related injuries and will allow us to better understand injury patterns, severity, circumstances, and treatment outcomes,” Mr Carter said.
Earlier this year, police launched a blitz on e-scooter riders in the CBD and Fortitude Valley, targeting those who ride in a dangerous manner, such as those who are overspeeding, using a mobile phone, carrying passengers or not wearing a helmet.
The State Government has also rolled out an education campaign which focuses on the safety of riders, such as the proper use of helmets, how to overtake pedestrians, and how to park e-scooters.
Almost everybody loves a good murder-mystery game. Put your detective hat on and try Fever’s murder-mystery experience at the heritage-listed High Church in Fortitude Valley.
Murder Mystery: Wedding Murder is an interactive murder mystery game, where players solve clues and use their detective skills to get to the bottom of the case and unmask the true murderer.
For this Fever original, the story revolves around Jasmine Portia, the sole heir of the Lancasters, Brisbane’s most influential family. After postponements, her wedding is about to take place. Aside from the most intimate family members and friends, Brisbane’s elite and the Lancaster’s business partners are in attendance.
Photo credit: Mystic Art Design/Pixabay
Whilst the guests are waiting for Jasmine Portia to walk down the aisle, a corpse has been found. This is when your job as the detective starts–inspect the venue, interrogate suspects, and find clues to crack the murder mystery.
It can be experienced individually, but also with friends and family, with group admission good for a minimum of 10 people.
If you wouldn’t want to miss this event, get your tickets before the event ends on 27 October 2022. It takes place every Thursday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with each session lasting an hour and a half.
Please note that guests must be 10 years old or older and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Go to Feverup’s website to get your ticket or to learn more about Murder Mystery: Wedding Murder in Brisbane.
Did you know that the Queens Wharf development will include Velo Cafe, a hub for cyclists to change or grab some food and drinks before they head to their next destinations?
The two-storey venue found close to the Bicentennial Bikeway will also be a pitstop area for runners, as well as pedestrians and tourists visiting Queens Wharf who may want to grab a quick bite.
However, Velo Cafe will be specifically designed with cyclists in mind as it will include changing rooms and showers that will entice more people to get around Brisbane’s inner cities on bicycles. The area by the foreshore will be featured with “transformational landscaping works” that will activate an often underused riverside area.
Photo Credit: Queens Wharf Brisbane
“The establishment of the new Velo Café on one of Queensland’s busiest bike ways is warmly welcomed by bike riders,” Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said.
“We can’t overlook the obvious synergy of the café facilities. For many Brisbane bike riders, coffee and riding go together like Disney and happily ever after.”
Velo Cafe, as well as the transformational public space, is expected to be completed in 2023.
Meanwhile, work on the Riverside Expressway that connects to the Bicentennial Bikeway has been ongoing since May 2022. As such, a temporary bikeway diversion has been opened on the Bicentennial Bikeway for pedestrians and active transport users. Cyclists and electric scooters are expected to observe reduced speed limits.
Temporary bridge structures in three sections along the route were also installed along with lighting, directional signage, mirrors and hoarding along the bikeway.
The 12-month project is expected to deliver The Landing, a beautiful and safe public space, where future recreational events like outdoor food, art and lighting festivals will soon take place.
Here’s an idea. An elevated open space and active transport link within Fortitude Valley, which will provide a broader connection loop from Victoria Park through to New Farm, to be built in time for the Brisbane 2032 Games? Find out how you can support this idea or share your own.
Luke Micali, a senior landscape architect at Vee Design in collaboration with Mike Jones put forward this concept at the ‘Inner Spark,’ a Council initiative where locals are invited to share their big ideas and help shape the future of the inner city in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Dubbed as “LeBron Link,” the elevated open space will provide a broader connection loop from Victoria Park through to New Farm, ultimately connecting major destinations and green space and providing much-needed equitable green space.
A lot the good projects in the city, such as Howard Smith Wharves, the Green Bridge program, and Queen’s Wharf once came from big ideas from locals.
Other Futuristic Ideas
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
Tessa Leggo of Fred St suggested ‘The Block Park,’ where all streets bounded by Stanley, Wellington, Ipswich and Balaclava, will feature parkland style streetscape and car travel is local only.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
Architects at FORM suggested ‘Frog’s Hollow Civic Space,’ a new civic space on the corner of Albert and Mary streets that provides a green focus opposite the new Cross River Rail Station and further reinforces the green spine between the City Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parklands.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
Business South Bank put forward a ‘City-wide Bougainvillea Path,’ a wayfinding device that helps links all of the significant places in Brisbane.
“Extend the South Bank Bougainvillea arbour to not only create a welcoming, safe, subtropical trail that promotes and encourages walking throughout the inner city but provides a beautiful and iconic backdrop for the city,” Business South Bank wrote.
Share Your Ideas!
What would you like Brisbane to look like, and beyond? Get your creativity flowing and share your big ideas with the community or vote from among the ones submitted by other residents.
You can share your big ideas for Brisbane under seven themes:
Welcoming – Create more to see and do, promote access and inclusion
Connected – Improve the cycle network, enhance river connections, upgrade public transport, improve connections to inner city green space
July has seen Brisbane bid farewell to some of the most popular restaurants and bars in its dining scene, as a handful of restaurants and bars at the Eagle St Pier serve their last customers and contemplate what’s next.
Coppa, City Winery, Sake, Fatcow Steak & Lobster, and Naga Thai served their final orders Saturday, 16 July, whilst The Coffee Club, Mr and Mrs G, Rico Bar & Dining, and The Bavarian’s last call for orders was on Sunday, 17 July.
Guzman y Gomez, The Kookaburra Queen, George’s Paragon, and Grill’d have already shut their doors a few weeks ahead.
Jade Buddha and Shadow Lounge, which have been on the pier for 18 years, will continue to operate for now, with their closure dates still being finalised. Jade Buddha’s Phil Hogan said they have yet to receive a proper closure order from Dexus.
Though devastated about the mass closure of such a piece of prime real estate, many of the owners and operators on Eagle St Pier are moving on to other plans, whilst also anticipating the revitalisation of the precinct.
Photo Credit: EagleStreetPier.com.au
Tom Sanceau of Coppa is weighing on either opening a new restaurant at a nearby location or finding opportunities in London.
Naga Thai’s Andrew Baturo is also checking out new spaces to open by 2023 but he is hopeful to come back to Eagle St Pier, which will be part of a new $2.1-billion redevelopment. Baturo believes that the upcoming world-class entertainment precinct is just what Brisbane needs.
Mr and Mrs G’s Chris Higgins, Liam McMahon and chef Adrian Richardson are moving onto BOS, their new restaurant in the CBD. BOS is tentatively set to open in October.
From Eagle St Pier to Waterfront Brisbane
For over 30 years, restaurants have come and gone at Eagle St Pier, which boasts of a fantastic view of the river from the Story Bridge. In 2015, Dexus the precinct with a plan to redevelop the site into Waterfront Brisbane with more spaces for dining spots.
The project will also include two office towers and generous public space, as well as a new Riverwalk for pedestrians and cyclists, which will open in 2024. One of the office towers is projected for completion in 2026.
Nonetheless, these restaurateurs are grateful to have been given the opportunity to establish their businesses or build their hospitality careers on the pier.
Located on the ground floor of The Calile Hotel, Sushi Room focuses on traditional ways of preparing Japanese dishes, using simple ingredients yet sophisticated ideas.
Simon Gloftis and co-owners Theo Kampolis and Kelvin Andrews, who’s also behind Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster, enlisted Head Chef Shimpei Raikuni to execute their idea of presenting dishes using ‘fresh and high-quality ingredients.’
Photo credit: Jeffery Du/Google Maps
Sushi Room, which positioned itself as ‘nuanced, harmonious, considered’ serves sushi and sashimi sets, tempura, sushi roll, and wanmono/sainomono (soup-based dishes).
Fans of nigiri can find a lot of options here, with selections like caviar (France), sake king salmon (New Zealand), and Japan’s very own uni sea urchin and Kagoshima wagyu sirloin.
Photo credit: Ricardo Russon/Google Maps
The 60-seater minimalist dining room, featuring retro-inspired decor was designed by Richards & Spence, who is known for their works at The Calile on Ada Lane and Fish Lane.
Guests who come for the booze can find some Japanese-inspired cocktails, carefully curated selection of Sake, wines, and whiskies to go with their sashimi and sushi.
Learn more about Sushi Room’s offering by visit them at The Calilie Hotel along James St. Guests are encouraged to book through their website.
After expanding in Queensland in late 2021, Releaf, the first dedicated facility of its kind in Australia, has opened a new outlet in Fortitude Valley.
Releaf Group Founder and CEO Gary Mackenzie said that thousands of Queenslanders are looking for a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare and they are glad to be in the position to provide a new clinic and dispensary as an option.
Releaf also provides a telehealth or video chat system for patients who prefer not to go to the Fortitude Valley clinic.
Photo Credit: Releaf/Facebook
Meanwhile, Mackenzie wants to establish Releaf as a one-stop shop, providing end-to-end service to the patients from consultations and health assessments, prescribing the treatment, and offering the treatment at their store.
The company first launched in Victoria in 2017 and has opened clinics in the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Heads, and Caloundra via franchisees. Soon, Releaf will open a medical cannabis compounding pharmacy in Fortitude Valley.
In Queensland, medicinal cannabis is classified as either Schedule 3, Schedule 4, or Schedule 8 controlled substances. Its use must be prescribed by licensed doctors, particularly for Schedule 4 – cannabidiol (CBD) and Schedule 8 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol (THC:CBD) products. However, it is illegal to drive with any amount of THC in one’s system even if this has been prescribed.
See if plant-based medicine might work for you. Visit Releaf at 2/394 Brunswick Street or phone (07) 3177 2070.
