From discovering fresh produce, unique gift items, and artisan goods to meeting the providers that bring these in the middle of Brisbane’s iconic CBD, there are many reasons to check out Brisbane City Markets as it reopens every Thursday at the Cathedral Square!
The popular Thursday market has returned with a bigger focus on street eats, perfect for a leisurely lunch for those who work in the city! Get your hot little hands on some steaming dumplings, zesty tacos, spicy paella, super tender calamari, or whatever you’re hankering for as the options are endless from dozens of stallholders.
Photo Credit: Supplied
While there, visitors may also enjoy shopping for fresh produce, homemade goods or decors, and fresh flowers for their significant other from heaps of sustainability and lifestyle vendors who participate every week. Support small-business owners, connect, and discover an amazing array of items that you will likely not find anywhere else but at this market.
Then, plonk down on the lawn and listen to sweet, live entertainment! Enjoy a taste of small-town life in the midst of a wonderful city!
Photo Credit: SuppliedPhoto Credit: Supplied
Brisbane City Markets runs at the Cathedral Square at the Corner of Ann and Wharf Street from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Thursday. The Cathedral Square Markets are a pet-friendly market but pet owners are expected to put their furry pals on a leash.
An outdated industrial building on Wandoo St in Fortitude Valley could be transformed into a three-storey mixed use facility for offices, a new cooking school, and an art gallery with a rooftop terrace.
The family of Angelo Cazzolato, the name behind the successful Angelo’s Pasta & Deli supermarket products, has filed the development application (DA A005887542) for the transformation of the Wandoo St building. Aside from the cooking school and art gallery, the site will also include food and drink outlets and some retail spaces.
Wandoo St is a commercial strip dominated by clothing stores and trendy homewares. The proposal, lodged by DC8 Studio for the owners, seeks to alter the existing building with an integrated contemporary facade.
Photo Credit: DA A005887542/BCC
The old two-storey site will house the offices, food and drink outlets, shops, and the educational or community areas. The third level will consist of the rooftop terrace.
The design of the updated building will include a unique architectural design that will also serve as the window and boundary.
“The proposal seeks to reconfigure and extend the existing building footprint to accommodate for additional land uses to support changing business needs and requirement from the immediate locality,” the development application stated. “The subject site is identified to be suitable to reflect Centre activity uses.
Photo Credit: DA A005887542/BCC
“The proposed works have been designed to reflect the intent and overall outcomes identified within the zone and neighbourhood plan. In particular, the proposal reflects a suitable non-residential development that provides retail, business and associated services situated over a well-located site near the entertainment precincts.”
The DA, lodged in November 2021, is still under assessment.
Meanwhile, the Cazzolato pasta products supplied many restaurants and households in Brisbane for over five decades with Angelo’s children now taking charge of the business.
Photo Credit: Angelo Fresh Pasta Products/Facebook
Angelo came from northern Italy and moved to Australia in the 1950s as a 19-year-old young adult. He used to run his pasta factory on Wandoo St in the 1970s before moving to its current site on Doggett St in Fortitude Valley.
The Fair Work Commission has recently ordered the termination of a “zombie agreement” that allowed the owners of a famous nightclub in Fortitude Valley to legally avoid paying penalty rates since 2008.
The Empire and Family Employee Collective Agreement 2006-2011 was made in 2008 and has passed its expiry date, which was on 1 June 2011. This allowed Empire Holdings – owners of Cloudland, The Empire Hotel, Press Club and the Warehouse – to not compensate their employees for penalty rates under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020.
This prompted employees to file three applications to have the zombie agreement terminated with one application having been discontinued. The company through its General Manager Paul Janssen filed its own application requesting that the termination be set on 22 May 2022, citing that venues are already booked and cost-for.
However, one employee argued that it would be unjust to keep the EBA agreement until May 2022. The employee reasoned that given that the company had opened a new venue, Valley Hopes Brewing, “during a time when many other businesses couldn’t afford to stay open,” the company should then be able to pay employees “an industry-standard wage.”
Valley Hopes Brewing | Photo Credit: Cloudland / Facebook
“Empire holdings has a large team in the office and is 100% capable of costing new budgets for 2022 after taking into account new employees wages,” the employee said.
Another employee said that “previously budgeted weddings do not affect the majority of the staff. My team and I do not work in functions and deem this unfair as we work regular shifts in their main venues and should be paid accordingly.”
All employees were offered a flat rate of $50 per hour during the Christmas 2021 and New Year period 2022 but the company did not commit to a similar “undertaking” for Easter 2022.
According to Commissioner Jennifer Hunt, “a large contingent of employees are working for around $27 to $28 per hour for all casual hours worked by them, whether they are assisting with a function or not, or even when there are no functions in the locations.”
Photo Credit: Cloudland / Facebook
She added that employees who work on a Saturday are being deprived of approximately $5 per hour “when compared with the Award.”
Similarly, when employees work on a Sunday, they are also being deprived of approximately $10 per hour, and approximately more than $24 per hour when compared with the Award when they work on a public holiday.
Moreover, staff who worked Monday to Friday between 7:00 p.m. to midnight and midnight to 7:00 a.m. were denied with appropriate rates under the award which would have meant an additional $2.37 per hour or part thereof and an additional $3.55 per hour or part thereof.
The Commissioner said that a “zombie agreement” denies employees some benefits that they should enjoy under the modern awards, including penalty rates. She said that it should not surprise employers, therefore, that employees who are becoming more aware of the effects of these pre-2009 agreements are now applying for termination of their old agreements.
“If employers are enjoying a comparative benefit in reduced wages by application of very old agreements, which do not provide for penalty rates near-equivalent to the modern award that would otherwise apply, the clock is essentially ticking for those agreements.”
And whilst the Commissioner recognises that the employer will incur increased wages bill particularly with “functions pre-paid and the Employer’s stated preparedness to not increase charges to customers of those functions,” she ruled the Agreement be terminated effective 31 January 2022. She reasoned that the burden of increased wages should rest with the Employer.
“I am not satisfied that the bookings in place within its function rooms militate against the loss in wages experienced by its 200 large workforce when they work beyond 7:00 pm Monday to Friday, on the weekend or on public holidays. This is especially so when on some dates there are no events booked at all,” Commissioner Hunt explained.
Concerns have been raised that an approved eight-storey building in Fortitude Valley, situated right next to St Patrick’s Catholic Church, would ‘overshadow’ the 140-year-old church.
The proposal, which was given the green light in August 2021, seeks the establishment of an 8-storey commercial office building adjacent to St Patrick’s Church to the north-east.
It will feature a rooftop garden and a space for the parish community to meet. The eight-storey building will also have two levels of basement car parking for 132 cars.
It includes the restoration of the church which will not have a huge impact on its external elements and its iconic Gothic design.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online
Residents believe the $120 million development will be far higher than the stated eight storeys. At a height of 42.8m, it would overshadow the 16m high apex of the church which would make it equivalent to 12 storeys.
Surrounding buildings only range from two to four storeys, except for the Eminence building which is seven storeys tall. The subject site, located along Morgan St, is presently used for carparking and by dog walkers.
Artist’s impression of proposed eight-storey building (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online
Aside from soaring above the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, some locals worried it may have an impact on privacy and residential amenities.
Among those who sent their submission were residents of The East Village, who were concerned that the eight-storey building would overlook its apartments.
One local who wrote a submission to Council noted that the entire northern side of the building is clad with glass windows that will look directly into The East Village residences affording the occupants little privacy and constant responsibility to adjust their lives to suit the proposed building occupancy modes.
East Village (Photo credit: Ray White)
“Paired with the small separation distance and no landscaping, I believe that users will be able to look directly into my apartment and this impact on the privacy of my home and my lifestyle,” stated one resident.
The Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese explained that the parish has been undertaking structural and other investigations to establish a final scope of works, which will come at significant cost. They have already consulted experts including specialist geotechnical engineers, structural engineers and heritage consultants for the works.
“These works will assist in ensuring St Patricks continues to remain as a long-standing form of Gothic Architecture and within suburban Brisbane. Additionally, the limited street presence beyond the immediate view from Morgan Street is to be retained and enhanced as part of the development,” Urbis wrote in an assessment report for the applicant.
To see the full details regarding the proposed tower, see A005698653.
The art display, which will be a combination of animated imagery, 3D imagery, and visual media, bears a resemblance to the huge public art installation on Times Square and the illuminated signs at the Piccadilly Circus in London.
The 3D art wall will make use of creative lighting through illuminating soffits along the city room on the key corner of the site.
“The art media wall will likely provide opportunities for third party advertising, with advertising only provided to third parties who’s marketing campaigns and brand align with the identity of the proposal,” the document for the proposal reads.
Aside from promoting the building’s unique identity, the media wall will help to establish the site as a recognisable landmark. The media wall is expected to become a defining feature along that key corner and thoroughfare in the Fortitude Valley.
The applicant is seeking approval for a 14-storey mixed-use commercial tower for office and retail uses. The tower will be sited over two basement levels and a two-storey podium.
The ground floor and mezzanine level, as well as a portion of the basement level, will have retail activations, a showroom, and cafe tenancies.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online
The subject site is located at 388 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, on the corner of Brunswick and McLachlan Streets.
The proposed site consists of 1,198 sqm of a larger, 2,871-sqm site which includes an existing basement car park arrangement, and low rise residential development beside. The applicant has proposed a total of 125 parking spaces, with 83 bicycle parking slots.
Elevation from Brunswick Street Facing Berwick Street (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council PD Online)
The site as a whole is currently improved by two buildings. The building on the left portion of the site was formerly known as the licensed venue, ‘The Flying Cock’. The right portion is currently improved by a four-storey building presently known as FV4006 Apartments with two tenancies on the ground floor.
“The proposal represents more than just an example of high-quality contemporary architecture. It is considered in its design, seeking to blend international architectural elements from Japan and New York City with Brisbane’s sub-tropical vernacular,” Urbis has written in an assessment report for the applicant.
For further details about the proposed development, see DA-A005898651.
Discover 1st Edition, the latest bar and restaurant to find a home on California Lane in Fortitude Valley that will definitely delight every avid comic book fan.
1st Edition is an intimate bar and restaurant that serves up signature cocktails named after popular comic book superheroes, perfectly paired with delectable dishes that fuse Asian-inspired dishes with American, Mexican, and French influences. All these, from the creative imaginings of Marc Grey and chef Steve Maiden, the ‘dynamic duo’ to thank for this one-of-a-kind venue.
True to its comic book theme, finding this watering hole is a bit of an adventure. It lies hidden down California Lane, much like the Batcave, with a fit-out that features Batman and Spiderman murals, and a bar top lined with comic book covers-filled panels that seamlessly blend with the neon-lit atmosphere of the bar.
Once settled, guests can go ahead and sample their signature cocktails, which are as excitingly named as they are fun to try — Mysterio (Butter Vodka, Peach syrup, apple, passionfruit, whites & passion smoke bubble); Harley Quinn (Dry gin, lemon, Persian fairy floss, gold flakes, and rose Cuvee); and Doctor Strange(Violette Rubard & Bramble gin, lemon, lavender, and simple syrup).
After a refreshing cocktail (or two!), check out their mouth-watering bites that come in sharing sizes. Try the Cheeseburger Gyoza with Kimchi Mac; MB7 Wagyu with onion soubise and greens; Kingfish sashimiwith watermelon yuzu, orange and coconut; Red Duck CurrywithPineapple, Lychee, Slaw; and Spanner Crab with burnt butter, cucumber, artichoke.
1st Edition can accommodate only 22 guests and offers three 90-minute seatings, so bookings are a must. And if you happen to visit on a Friday or Saturday late evening, expect the DJ to come spinning some club hits from the loft.
1st Edition is located at 22 McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley. They are open from 5.30 pm till late evening, Wednesday to Saturday.
1st_Edition | California Lane, 22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
First off, be on the lookout for the ‘Plan_ B special.’ Every fortnight, their brilliant chef cooks up something extraordinary that will surely delight frequenters and first-time customers alike.
In case you’re wondering, the current special is Playing with Fire – lemon and pepper chicken with Fireball BBQ dip, Chipotle Mayo, and bread & butter pickles all stacked in a Plan B bun.
Playing with Fire | Photo credit: Plan_B / Facebook
If that still doesn’t pan out for you, then you can’t go wrong with these blockbusters, all served in Plan B buns.
Plan_B Beef consists of Angus beef with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion and Plan B sauce.
Plan_B Chicken is a delicious serving of Southern fried chicken breast with shredded lettuce, spicy BBQ sauce and sweet mayo.
Bucking Buffalo consists of Southern fried chicken breast with buffalo sauce, blue cheese sauce, hash brown, American cheese and shredded lettuce.
For vegans, it’s a toss-up between Vego (crumbed mushroom patty, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato, onion, and Plan B sauce) and Tofu (deep-fried tofu, bread & butter pickles, Red Eye mayo, and oak lettuce).
Let’s not forget their kids menu. For little people with big appetites, Plan_B favourites include Cheeseburger (Angus beef with American cheese, ketchup, and bed of fries), Hot Dog (American Frankfurter with ketchup, bed of fires and Plan B roll), and Kids Popcorn (popcorn chicken served with fries).
Plans are already in the works to establish more stores here in Brisbane. For now though, head on out to 540 Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley for the ultimate Plan B burger experience.
Plan_B | 540 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
Here are five new and upcoming Fortitude Valley restaurants that are bravely navigating the pandemic challenges to bring you delicious, must-try cuisine.
Delivering the vibe of a classic trattoria, Bianca features simple but flavourful pasta dishes and mains like steaks and the crowd favourite, porchetta alla Romana, with slight variation fitted for the Aussie dining scene. Everything is prepared in-house at this restaurant and despite the challenging times, Bianca’s booking has been constantly filled up as customers long for the comfort of Italian food. For 2022, Bianca has ramped up its menu with new pasta dishes to try. They also provide takeaway options.
French restaurant Bisou Bisou has captured the vibrant ambience of the Parisian dining scene from its interiors to its cosy courtyard, its waitstaff, and all the way to the kitchen where the head chef whips up dishes that will have you exclaiming, “Trés Bien!” If you’re craving for escargot on toast and gnocchi, authentically prepared French-style, you now know where to go.
Those looking to wine and dine can’t go wrong with Essa with its choiced selection of delectable dishes and drinks. Don’t be intimated by its dark, broody fit-out — this goes with the appeal and atmosphere that its owners want the customers to enjoy. Perfect for intimate dinners or for small groups who want to lounge and unwind, Essa prides in sourcing ingredients from local producers to deliver high-end meals worth the splurge.
Joining the rows of Italian restaurants in the Valley is Gemelli, a 120-seater dining space that encourages family dining. What sets this one apart from the other Italian restaurants in the precinct is its luxurious vibe. Gemelli is for big, classy celebrations, where groups can share generous servings of Naples-style pizza, pasta and mains with a Milan-inspired bar scene. The restaurant has over 200 on its wine list.
Rosmarino has given life to a deserted corner in the refurbished Stewart & Hemmant building with its vintage ambiance and cosy vibe. If you want to catch up with a dear friend over a bowl of homestyle pasta, a plate of all’anatra, and a glass of wine, you’ve got to experience the food and drinks at this restaurant. Rosmarino’s dishes are prepared using traditional techniques from Northern Eastern Italy. Delivery and takeaway options available.
The team behind Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster are opening two new restaurants on James St: Sunshine (January 2022) and Sushi Room (March 2022).
While details and social media presence are still hush-hush, the word on the street is that Sunshine will feature all-vegetarian Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant will open directly in front of The Calile Hotel, taking over the former spot of Chow House. It will boast of a unique service where customers will not have to wait for their food and a major part of its offering will be the takeaway options.
Sushi Room, on the other hand, will be an 80-seater Japanese restaurant and bar moving into the former home of Scotch & Soda and Museum of Small Things. Its menu will be focused on mostly sushi and sashimi, with a few choices of wagyu steak, tempura or fish. Sushi Room will also offer an 18-course meal for a two-hour dining experience.
Mövenpick Hotel is set to make its Spring Hill debut in 2024 with an art deco-inspired hotel that’s set to become their first location in Queensland.
Accor recently announced the opening of the Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane Spring Hill in 2024, in partnership with Keylin. This latest project located at 447 Gregory Terrace also marks the third Mövenpick Hotel to be established in Australia, after their Hobart and Melbourne locations.
Designed by MAS Architecture Studio, the 15-storey, 96-room hotel will feature a 25-metre pool, bars, restaurants, and fitness centre. It will have conference facilities designed to accommodate more than 100 guests.
Guests can expect Mövenpick signature offerings and daily Chocolate Hour, where guests will have the opportunity to sample Mövenpick chocolate and other sweet treats.
Photo credit: Keylin / keylin.com.au
Inside, deco-inspired interiors courtesy of Hirsch Bedner Associates will greet hotel guests, including a two-storey lobby with 8-metre high ceilings, marble columns, and terrazzo flooring. The exterior will feature an elevated garden that creates a cascading touch of greenery along the hotel’s facade. Each room is positioned to offer outstanding city views.
Mövenpick Hotel Brisbane Spring Hill has been designed to blend with Spring Hill’s heritage architecture. It is also expected to complement the nearby Victoria Parklands, an area that’s set to undergo a major $83 million transformation that will put it among Australia’s largest urban parks.
About Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Mövenpick was the brainchild of Ueli Prager in the 1940s, a maverick who introduced a new concept of hotel hospitality. Today, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has more than 100 hotels and resorts scattered across the globe and still growing with 50 more hotels already planned by 2025.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with 5,200 hotels, resorts and residences in 110 countries.
West End’s popular gin bar and restaurant Covent Garden is bringing its annual Ginuary Festival to Fortitude Valley for its biggest event yet, where the Top 100 Aussie gins will take the spotlight to celebrate the accomplishments of the craft gin distilling industry in Australia.
Covent Garden has teamed up with Long Rays and other Australian distillers to bring the event to X-Cargo in Fortitude Valley, a venue ten times larger than its existing location in West End.
Photo credit: Covent Garden West End/Facebook
Where
X-Cargo, Fortitude Valley
When
30 January 2022 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m)
From over 400 nominees, Covent Garden will only name the top 100 gins this year. Voting is still up for your favourite gins, so better hurry up and vote for your picks!
Photo credit: XCARGO/Facebook
Last year’s top choice was Ink Gin, a premium gin by Tumbulgum-based boutique distillery Husk Distillers. Other top contenders were Bundaberg’s Kalki Moon and Grandad Jack’s 65 Miles.
Aside from featuring the most popular gins of the year, Ginuary Festival 2022 will feature a gin alley lined with eight degustation stations where you can taste gin for free or buy limited edition ones.
A special Brookie’s cocktail bar will also be featured, whilst those who want to take the experience to the next level can buy VIP tickets which include masterclasses, cocktail classes, and more.
Photo credit: Covent Garden
You can head to Covent Garden’s website to find out more about the upcoming festival, including ticket prices.
