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Mass Closure at Eagle St Pier As Waterfront Brisbane Redevelopment Looms

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.

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.

Sushi Room Opens At The Calile Hotel On James St

Did you know that Sushi Room, a Japanese fine-dining restaurant, is now part of the thriving dining scene at James Street in Fortitude Valley?

Read: Rodd & Gunn Opens New Flagship Restaurant in Fortitude Valley

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.’

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.

Releaf Opens New Facility in Fortitude Valley

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.

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.

Police Launches Crackdown On E-scooter Riders In CBD, Fortitude Valley

Brisbane Night Noodle Markets Return for 12 Drool-Worthy Nights in a New Venue

Did you know that a bigger and better Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will feature 12 drool-worthy nights at its new home in Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens?

After a two-year hiatus, Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will open on Wednesday, 15 June, until Sunday, 26 June, in a beautiful riverside venue filled with hawker-style stalls and pop-ups.

From slurpable noodles and steaming hot dumplings to melt-in-your-mouth bao and Insta-worthy desserts, locals and visitors will have the chance to feast on an array of sizzling, sweet and spicy meals and morsels from an exciting mix of popular local, national and interstate eateries at these days and times:

DAY	TIME
Monday – Wednesday	5:00pm – 9:00pm
Thursday – Friday	5:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday	4:00pm – 10:00pm
Sunday	5:00pm – 9:00pm

If you have dietary requirements, heaps of shops with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and Halal options will be on offer along with tasty, filling and healthy dishes.

Expect crowd favorites like Hoy Pinoy, Flying Noodles, May’s Malaysian Hawker, Wonderbao, Gelato Messina, and Twistto to make a comeback as well, alongside new stallholders and popular partner brands such as Dan Murphy’s Zero% Bar, Gage Roads Beer Garden, and Aperol Spritz Kombi Bar.

The Night Noodle Markets will be serving Australia’s popular non-alcoholic beer Heaps Normal, a range of beverages from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and Rekorderlig Cider.

Celebrity Cruises, on the other hand, will be giving people the chance to win a luxurious Japan cruise for two.

This year, the markets have partnered with Mr Yum and Citi for a truly unforgettable experience.

“The Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are one of Queensland’s most popular food events and Mr Yum will make the experience in 2022 even better by offering mobile ordering for drinks and food. Ordering through Mr Yum will help people skip multiple queues at once and we can’t wait to also welcome Brisbanites into the Mr Yum Garden on site in the City’s Botanic Gardens, where they can come to hang out and enjoy their meal,” Mr Yum CEO and Co-founder Kim Teo said.

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Artforce Brisbane Awards Honour Spring Hill TSB Artwork

Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane / Facebook

Two amateur artists from Brisbane, Natasha Chee and Calum Presser, won the 2021 Best Overall Traffic Signal Box at the annual Artforce Brisbane Awards for their artwork, ‘Spring Hill in Spring Time’.

Natasha Chee who is a Design Assurance Manager at Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Development and Calum Prasser, a built environment professional, were named as the Overall Winner at the Annual Artforce Brisbane Awards.

The traffic signal box (B8114) located at Gregory Tce & Victoria Park entry road in Spring Hill sprung to life thanks to the lovely artwork masterfully executed by the pair. The design, they said, “celebrates the distinct local architecture and streetscapes of Spring Hill, Brisbane.”

Furthermore, the artwork seeks to “reflect the colours, fine-grain details and interest of the neighbourhood.” The pair said that they hope the artwork brings joy to the viewers as well as an appreciation for the suburb’s unique character and architecture so it can be preserved for future generations.

Lord Mayor Schrinner, Natasha Chee and Calum Prasser — Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane / Facebook

Overall winner — Photo Credit: Artforce Brisbane / artforcebrisbane.com.au

Location of TSB 8114

The 2021 Artforce Brisbane Awards were held last 26 April with Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner presenting the awards. The Awards honour the outstanding Artforce Brisbane artworks completed in the preceding 12 months.

The list of winners is as follows:

Lord Mayor’s Award

Name: Lisa-Marie Vecchio; Title: High hopes and green slopes; Location: TSB 0475, Juliette St & Earl St, Greenslopes

Overall winner

Name: Natasha Chee & Calum Prasser; Title: Spring Hill in Springtime; Location: TSB 8114, Gregory Tce & Victoria Park entry road, Spring Hill

Best Energex box

Name: Siobhan Browne; Title: Welcome to the Big Top; Location: SC22658, 1290 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt

12 and under – winner

Name: Mary Nisbet-Smith; Title: Peggy the five leggy; Location: TSB 0639, Annerley Rd & Tamar St & Rusk St, Annerley

18 and under

Name: D.K. Perkins; Title: There’s always a Silver Lining; Location: TSB 8116, Sylvan Rd near Kate St, Toowong

Best Primary School & Early Childhood Centre

Name: Little Scholars School of Early Learning with artist Dylan Sarra; Title: Child’s Mind; Location: TSB 0072, Turbot St & George St, Brisbane City

Best Senior School

Name: Iona College; Title: Graham’s Crossing; Location: TSB 0967, North Rd pedestrian crossing at Iona College, Wynnum West

Best Organisation

Name: Hope for Life Mentors; Title: A Small Gift; Location: TSB 0681, Old Cleveland Rd & Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo

People’s Choice

Name: Jennifer Garcia Rodriguez; Title: Thinking of green (view artwork) ; Location: TSB 0176, South Pine Rd & Railway Place, Alderley

Except for the Energex Pad-mount Transformers (EPT), which has its own category, all participants who painted a traffic signal box are eligible to enter into the Lord Mayor’s award and Overall Winner categories. Whilst all participants are eligible for the People’s Choice Award.

Nominations for the 2022 Awards will be open in June.

Here’s The Full Music Lineup For The 2022 Teneriffe Festival

The Steele Syndicate

The band, which just released their new seven-track EP, will join this year’s event. The Steele Syndicate has been known for their participation in various festivals, including the Updraft Music Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival.

Ben Lee

Multiple ARIA award winner Ben Lee will be leading the roster for this year’s event, which will be filled with music curated by the supreme tastemakers at The Triffid.

Resin Dogs

Kickin’ it old school, Resin Dogs are out of the kennel with their revolutionary hip hop style and funky beats that will have the whole laneway jumpin’.

Wil Wagner

Watch singer-songwriter Wil Wagner perform whilst you enjoy the festival, complete with refreshing drinks from pop-up bars speckling the laneways.

Other bands and music artists set to take the stage are The Predators, Great Sage, Melaleuca, Yb, Danny Widdicombe & Dana Gehrman, Pandamic, Mojo Webb, Jo Davie, Hollie Joy, Miranda vs Arizona, House of Harlen, Lucy Korts, The Verandahs, and The Dandys.

The Jazz Music Institute will bring the sounds of New Orleans to the streets of Teneriffe with their incredible performance, along with some of Australia’s finest jazz performers at the popular Riverside unWINEd Garden.

riverside unwined garden — Photo supplied

Alongside the jammed packed programme, there will also be a sizzling selection of food from The Taste of Teneriffe and gourmet food trucks, art on display from local creatives, fun activities for the little ones and much more.

www.teneriffefestival.org or follow them on Facebook for updates.

Rodd & Gunn Opens New Flagship Restaurant in Fortitude Valley

Photo Credit: Rodd & Gunn / www.roddandgunn.com

Count the days until the 19th of May 2022, when New Zealand clothing brand Rodd & Gunn opens The Lodge Bar & Dining. The flagship restaurant will be occupying a heritage-listed Queenslander at the corner of James and Robertson Sts in Fortitude Valley.

The new dining destination combines retail and hospitality and will be Rodd & Gunn’s fourth venture after Queenstown (2016), Auckland (2020) and Melbourne (2021). The Lodge Bar & Dining sits on a 749sqm space and can host up to 150 guests offering food, wine and men’s fashion.

The Brisbane location will contain a 120-seat restaurant on the ground floor with a corner bar with banquette seating that will be connected to the Rodd & Gunn retail space. Upstairs is another bar with a private dining area that will also take advantage of its wrap-around balcony where guests can enjoy panoramic views of James Street. The fit-out will feature American oakwood flooring, wool rugs, brass highlight and flagstone walls.

Matt Lambert and head chef James Angelenos will be in charge of the eatery’s a la carte menu which will feature locally sourced ingredients with a strong focus on fresh seafood finds.

Photo Credit: Rodd & Gunn / www.roddandgunn.com

Cameron Douglas, The Lodge Bar Group’s Master Sommelier, on the other hand, will curate the expansive wine list that will highlight the best of New Zealand wines along with some selections from Australia and Europe.

More projects will be coming soon for the New Zealand clothing brand with several negotiations for future locations in Canada, the USA and the UK already underway.

The Rodd & Gunn and Lodge Bar & Dining is located at 49 James Street, Fortitude Valley.

Click here for booking

49 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

Experience a Unique Musical Event at the Masonic Memorial Centre

A unique musical event is taking place at the Masonic Memorial Centre in Brisbane City in aid of Headspace for Youth at Risk, a mental health charity.

Hosted by Queensland Freemasons, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” will run on Sunday, 8th of May 2022, from 3:00 pm. to 6:00 p.m. It will feature soloist Robert Smith, who will be accompanied by the Sinfonia of Saint Andrew’s orchestra with twelve strings and a harpsichord for an auditory delight.

Photo Credit: VivaldiFourSeasons/EventBrite

Vivaldi composed “Le Quattro Stagioni” around 1718 to 1720 when Vivaldi was the court chapel master in Mantua and was regarded as his best work. In modern times, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” was cited as a Classic FM Hall of Famer.

Queensland Freemasons chose the Masonic Memorial Centre for this special event as an ode to the lodges that meet and share their endeavour to “promote the happiness of the Human race.” The iconic building is also where the signs, secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry are held and communicated.

This charity event will benefit Headspace, which was started in 2006 to provide early intervention among 12 to 25-year-old individuals. In this stressful period, young people need support and reassurance that they can make life a fantastic adventure.

A reception will follow after the musical event at the masonic meeting rooms. Champagne, drinks and canapés will be served as guests mingle with Lodge members.

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End Draws Near: Eagle Street Pier to Give Way to New Waterfront Brisbane Development

Photo Credit: Dexus / waterfrontbrisbane.com.au

It is going to be curtains down for Eagle Street Pier in July 2022 as this vibrant riverside precinct gets torn down to make way for the new $2.3-billion Waterfront Brisbane development.

For three decades, Eagle Street Pier has been Brisbane CBD’s prime dining destination, owing to its more than a dozen world-class restaurants and bars, and a breathtaking view of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge.

All good things must come to an end, however, and in a few months, a multi-billion dollar transformation will begin as Brisbanites say goodbye to their favourite venues.

In late January, Dexus handed the notice to vacate to its tenants, giving them six months from that time to close their doors before construction officially starts. The renovated heritage-listed Naldham House will open in late 2022 to provide a fine-dining option at the site whilst construction gets underway.

The venue will be run by DAP and Co. – operator of Popolo, Walter’s Steakhouse and The Gresham.

Dexus, who acquired the complex in 2015, said that the Waterfront Brisbane project will “position Brisbane as a world-class business and tourist destination.”

There will be two new office towers of 49 and 43 storeys, a new and improved 280-metre Riverwalk, active retail and public spaces, and 9,000sqm of public open space at the river’s edge.

“This is an exciting milestone on the pathway to rejuvenating the precinct as Brisbane’s premier riverfront destination that will position Brisbane as a world-class business and tourist destination,” Matthew Beasley, Dexus’s Project Director, Waterfront Brisbane, said.

“We hope the people of Brisbane take the opportunity to support these venues in the coming months.”

The development will be delivered in stages with the first of the two towers expected to be completed by 2025. Once construction commences, the Riverwalk will be closed and will be reopened in 2024.