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New Foodie and Plant Lover Paradise The Green to Open on James Street

In mid-2020, Green Space opened a pop-up shop on James St which quickly became a hit with both plant lovers and foodies. Now opening at a permanent location on the same street, The Green will include a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant conceptualised by an internationally acclaimed designer, with two-time Chef Hat winner Warren Turnbull in the kitchen, plus elements such as an event space and a flower bar!

“Our new location, simply called The Green, will include an even bigger selection of pots, plants and homewares as well as a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant, event space and flower bar,” the owners, Angela Sclavos and Christina Habchi, announced in January 2021.

The fitout for The Green, found on 27 James St, has been coming together thanks to the vision of internationally acclaimed designer Borhan Ghofrani, who wants the new space to be more than just a restaurant.

Mr Ghofrani based his designs on the owners’ Lebanese roots and envisions that when visitors step into the new store, they will feel like they are in another world.

“This space will be a surprise to the senses,” the designer said. “Imagine the stunning red hues of the emblematic Cedar wood of Lebanon intertwined with the alluring plant life that locals have come to love about Green Space, but on a much larger scale.”

The Green will feel right at home on James Street’s lifestyle precinct next to establishments like Endota Spa, Alexa Nice, Pottery Barn and Gerard’s Bistro. It will take over the shop formerly occupied by Akira, the fashion label.

“Crafting a space like The Green from the ground up involves a level of reverse engineering. It is a laborious process to deliver design elements engrossed in heritage and history, but it matters, and we are thrilled to unveil the end result to patrons very soon,” Mr Ghofrani said.

Meanwhile, two-time Chef Hat winner Warren Turnbull will serve as the Head Chef at The Green’s kitchen, who will create authentic Lebanese dishes, such as bubbly flatbreads, sweet honey-soaked cheese and crispy homemade falafels, to complement and work cohesively with the restaurant’s design. Mr Ghofrani said that he can’t wait for their guests to have an unforgettable dining experience.

“Without design unity across all components including sights, smells, sounds and tastes, a venue is soulless and lacks the fundamental pillars of a sustainable business due to a lacklustre patron experience,” he said.

Follow The Green’s Instagram account for updates on the opening date this July 2021, the menu, and their store hours.

Stage 2 Story Bridge Adventure Climb Approved Despite Privacy Concerns

Photo credit: Story Bridge Adventure Climb/Facebook

Plans for a new climb at the city end of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb have been given the go-ahead despite concerns about privacy.

Read: Artificial Intelligence Hub to be Built in Fortitude Valley

XBrisbane Pty Ltd successfully lodged an application (A005619901) for the project in December 2020 and was granted approval in April 2021.

The proposed development is for a new north peak bridge climb route, viewing platform, and swing out on the Story Bridge. Planning documents also indicate that the climb will consist of 550 steps and will be approximately 60 minutes in duration. Climbs will be undertaken in groups of a maximum of 14 climbers and will be suitable for both daytime and nighttime adventure.

Aerial Photograph Showing General Location of Proposed Activity (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Whilst this is good news for adventure seekers and tourists, residents are worried about losing their privacy once it’s operating. In addition to privacy concerns, other issues raised include road safety and noise.

Ami, a resident of Petrie Point Apartments said the proximity to their building which is located at 100 Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley, would mean severe privacy implications especially with the hours proposed and additional noise impacts which are extremely concerning.

“The Howard Smith Wharves precinct has already create issues for our complex with additional noise, people doing inappropriate things around our building and take up all available street parks. If the north end of the bridge is available to the public, our homes will also be invaded by people being able to look at us in our homes directly,” Ami wrote in her submission.

Read: Bianca: A Delicious, New Taste of Italy in Fortitude Valley

In another submission sent to Council, one resident pointed out that application is incorrectly made and should be rejected as an “outdoor sport and recreation” of code assessment as it falls into the activity of “tourism” which requires a thorough impact assessment process.

Proposed North Peak Climb route (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

A town planning report states that the “development is sited and designed to enable existing and future buildings to be well separated from each other to allow for light penetration, air circulation, views, vistas and privacy, particularly for residential towers.”

Once complete, The Northern Peak Climb will operate year-round in all weather conditions other than extreme winds, electrical storms or severe rainstorms. It will open from early-morning to 10:00 pm seven days a week.

Bianca: A Delicious, New Taste of Italy in Fortitude Valley

If you’re looking for a place in Fortitude Valley where you can have great pasta and risotto, wood-fired pizza, and delicious, grilled trout or prawns then look no more! Bianca, the latest Italian restaurant to hit town has it all.

Bianca was opened in late March 2021 by hospitality gurus Frank Li, Bianca Marachi, Tyron Simon and Ben Williamson at the former site of the restaurant Beaux Rumble. This Italian restaurant offers its customers a warm and accommodating space outfitted with friendly and chatty staff who serve delicious meals cooked in wood-fired ovens atop furniture fashioned from timber, red bricks, and terracotta tiles.

Bianca’s designs were created by the local architects Richards and Spence, who strived to give the venue an authentic and warm Italian aesthetic.

Photo credit: Instagram/bianca.restaurant

Bianca’s menu lets customers order classic Italian dishes such as Risotto ai Funghi, a delicious Italian rice-based dish which features mushrooms, however risotto isn’t the only type of cuisine available at the restaurant. People are free to treat themselves to pasta such as Lasagna, or even grilled food from their Griglia section like Rainbow Trout with Salsa Verde, or Gamberi (prawn) with Burnt Butter, Capers and Parsley.

Risotto ai Funghi
Photo credit: Instagram/bianca.restaurant

Ricotta Agnolotti, Fermented Pumpkin, Burnt Butter
Photo credit: Facebook/Biànca Restaurant

Pollo allla Milanese
Photo credit: Facebook/Biànca Restaurant

Customers can also indulge themselves with one of two different set menus, which consist of a series of starters, main courses, and desserts. Among the set menus included starters are Mortadella, Calamari Fritti, Pane di Casa, and Funghi Marinati. Examples of available main dishes, on the other hand, include items such as Lasagna, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra, Prawns Aglio e Olio, and Rucola, Lemon and Parmesan.

Reviewers raved over the restaurant’s delicious food, amazing service, and excellent dining atmosphere.

Had a lovely night for our anniversary. Our waitress took great care of us and we were welcomed with a glass of champagne each upon arrival. The food was amazing, traditional and so, flavoursome. Ben Williamson knows how to tease your tastebuds, say no more, he is a genius. Congratulations Bianca, Ben and the team we can’t wait to come back for more and thank you.🥂
Michael H.

Bianca can be found at 46 James St, Fortitude Valley. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on meals, deals, dates, and other special announcements concerning the restaurant.

Witness a Unique Theatrical Performance at the Judith Wrights Art Centre

Following the announcement of a three-day lockdown in Southeast Queensland, “Seen But Not Her” at the Judith Wrights Art Centre from 1 to 3 July will not proceed. The production is awaiting further advice and updates.

“Our aim is to present current ticketholders with the option to transfer to another date, to obtain a refund, or to support us through a donation of the fee,” the group said. “With the situation as it currently is, we are hoping to still present at least the Saturday performance, but clearly must wait for updates from Queensland Health before we can confirm.”

“Seen But Not Her” pulls together a group of talented Brisbane women for a unique theatrical performance and a celebration of female creativity, where a violinist, cellist, pianist “converse” with a dancer, acrobat and a movement artist through music.

Musicians Cara Tran (piano), Flora Wong (violin) and Francesca Masel (cello) will be playing stirring renditions of songs composed by women, such as like “Piano Trio 11 – 2 Andante” espressivo by Fanny Mendelssohn, “The Mirror with Three Faces” suite by Lera Auerbach, and “Surface II” by Queensland’s very own Nicole Murphy.

Joining them on the stage are Abbey Church (Casus,Polytoxic), Mayu Muto (Casus Circus, Polytoxic, GUSH) and Sandi Woo (Phluxus2, QL2 Dance), who will let the music flow with their graceful movements.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to work with these young women musicians and the beautiful music of these varied women composers,” director Celia White said. “This is a perfect time to be celebrating women’s creativity, hearing their voices, and seeing them take up space.”

Photo Credit: Chloe Callistemon/Vulcana Circus

The show is an original concept developed and conceived by Muses Trio and Bianca Mackail with the support of Arts Queensland and Women of the World (WOW) Australia.

Tickets to this fantastic night of classical music and exquisite movements may be booked online. Please take note that the Judith Wrights Arts Centre will be observing safety protocols to protect the health of the guests, performers and theatre staff.

Mark Your Calendars! Exciting Events in Fortitude Valley Coming Up Soon

Looking for a little excitement in the coming months? Fortitude Valley is about to become a hotspot for a raft of exciting new events all lined up for 2021.

Night Noodle Markets – July 21 to August 1

Brisbane Night Noodle markets at the City Botanic Gardens — Photo credit: Good Food Month

To celebrate Good Food Month, the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are back at an all-new and exciting venue: the City Botanic Gardens. Entry will be completely free, however registration is encouraged in order to comply with COVID-19 safety and prevention measures.

Attendants will be able to indulge themselves with delicious street food from all across Asia from countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Among the many stalls present throughout the event, people can expect to bump into familiar names such as Hoy Pinoy, Bao Brothers Eatery, Flying Noodles, and Bangkok Street Food.

Read more about the event at the Good Food Month website here.

Alanna Sapwell’s Esmay – July 25

Alanna Sapwell, formerly the head chef at Arc Dining, is set to open up Esmay, her pop-up restaurant, at the site of the kitchen at the old Alliance Hotel in Spring Hill for one day only as part of Good Food Month. Though she’s toured and set up shop all over Australia, the opening of Esmay marks her first time bringing the pop-up restaurant to Brisbane.

Esmay is a restaurant that offers comfort-style cooking that makes use of seasonal and regional ingredients with Sapwell’s innovative twists. On the 25th of July, two sittings will be available for lunch and another two sittings will be available for dinner.

Those interested in booking tickets for lunch and dinner can do so by clicking these links.

The Circus of Light – July 31 and August 21

The Circus of Light at Fortitude Valley — Photo credit: Facebook/Psycho Circus

The Fortitude Music Hall is scheduled to host a series of upcoming light shows hosted by Psycho Circus on the 31st of July 2021 and the 21st of August, dazzling the audience with a gorgeous circus performance complete with an immersive set of visual and sound dynamics.

Those interested can expect to see glitter face paint stalls, confetti cannons, daring acrobatic feats, lasers and light displays, a barrage of balloons, and plenty more — all while the beats of house, bass, and d&b music play in the background to bring the circus to life.

Entrance to the circus will be limited to attendees over the age of 18, and people are encouraged to put on their snazziest and boldest outfits for a spectacular evening to brighten up a dull and dreary winter.

Tickets can be purchased via this website, and for the latest updates and announcements concerning the circus, follow their Facebook event page.

Hey Chica! – August

Hey Chica! at Fortitude Valley — Photo credit: Facebook/Hey Chica

Fortitude Valley is about to receive a taste of Cuban life with Hey Chica, an upcoming social club, bar and restaurant along Brunswick St that boasts that it’s “the closest you’ll get to Cuba without a passport”.

Hey Chica comes fresh from the minds of the team behind Retro’s, however with this bar, customers can expect to lose themselves to a venue with the vibes of a local street party, complete with Latin American street food and cool cocktails.

The bar has been scheduled to open sometime in August at 315 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. For the latest updates and announcements concerning the bar and restaurant, visit their website or follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Video Editing Platform Clipchamp in Fortitude Valley Rakes 14 Million Users

At the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Clipchamp had a 160 percent growth in new users. This Brisbane startup, headquartered in Fortitude Valley, continues to impress as it welcomes 2021 with a solid 14 million registered users from around the world.

The video editing platform, which launched in 2014, has made such an impact during the pandemic as companies and individual content creators shifted to video to stay in contact and facilitate a work-from-home environment or to consolidate their presence in their industries and niches when face-to-face meet-ups became too risky.

Co-founder and chief executive Alex Dreiling believes that Clipchamp being “in the right place at the right time” during COVID-19 has sealed the company’s position as a permanent platform of choice for the users. Because of their service, many users are now learning to do video editing themselves, instead of hiring professionals or agencies to make their videos.

The start-up’s platform provides video creators with the crucial tools needed to produce content without using expensive equipment, complicated software, or a substantial production experience. Its service empowers businesses to boost their profile and capacity to disseminate fresh content across many other channels, such as YouTube or TikTok.

In this day and age, when video content creation has ballooned into a $135 billion industry, Clipchamp is becoming essential for marketing. Thus, in 2020, the platform also launched additional features like webcam or screen camera recording, green screen options and audio/video separation.

The company’s staff also increased from 30 to 80, with workers coming from Red Hat, Facebook, Google and Amazon. It has offices in the U.S. and the Philippines as well and has a significant presence in Europe.

However, Mr Dreiling said Brisbane will remain its homebase and it’s where they will continue to develop their product even as they are heading for expansion.

Dine-in Igloos are Coming to Fortitude Valley

All throughout July, Brisbane will be able to cosy up and dine in with friends in their own private igloos at the Cielo Rooftop in Fortitude Valley.

From the 1st of July all the way until the 1st of August, pop up igloos will open up in Fortitude Valley — each coming complete with their own set of furniture, fairy lights, and fleece blankets to help bookers cosy themselves in. The best part? Each booking comes with food packages that come with their choice of drinks.

Those interested in reserving an igloo for themselves as well as their friends and loved ones can do so via this link. Igloo can be booked for up to 1.5 hours at a time. Each igloo can house 2 to 6 people; however, food options must be selected. Igloos cannot be reserved without ordering food packages.

Four different food packages will be available for bookings: the Standard Package, the Premium Package, the VIP Package, and the Vegan Package. Each package come with grazing boards with an array of snacks and finger foods, a main course, and either alcoholic beverages or soda.

The Standard Package entails a grazing board which contains prosciutto, mortadella, pecorino cheese, asiago cheese, hummus, olives, focaccia bread, and pickles as well as a main course in the form of a calamari and arancini plate. Drink options include sparkling, red or white wine, or beer per person.

The Premium Package, on the other hand, offers everything the Standard Package does with the addition of dessert in the form of Tiramisu Bomboloni: Italian doughnuts filled with Tiramisu cream and chocolate sauce. Additional drink options also include espresso martinis and aperol spritz.

However, the VIP Package offers everything the Premium Package does in addition beetroot cured salmon bruschetta and an oyster platter. Margaritas will also be available in the drinks list of this exciting package.

Lastly, the Vegetarian Package offers a completely different set of food options entirely in order to accommodate people’s dietary restrictions. The grazing board contains roasted capsicum, Evoo preserved eggplant, fried artichokes, stuffed olives, hummus, focaccia bread and pickles. Instead of a main course, dessert will be offered in the form of a raspberry tortino topped with chocolate mousse and berry coulis. Drink options are the same as those offered by the Standard Package.

Those interested in booking an igloo can do so by visiting this website.

The Winter Pop Up Igloo Dining event will be held at Cielo Rooftop, 209 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable but may be resold. Those unable to make it to their booked times and dates will lose their space unless they resell their tickets.

New Louis Vuitton Flagship Store Moving into NAB Heritage Site

Good news for Brisbane shopaholics and fashionistas! Did you know that high-end fashion brand Louis Vuitton will soon open a new flagship store at the former National Australia Bank building on Queen Street?

According to the development application (DA A005719018), Place Design Group will do minor changes to the heritage-listed building but much of its facade and appearance will not be altered. There will be some markings on the front side in the form of branding or advertising the new tenancy.

Some walls on the basement level will be taken down to expand the floor area and create a spacious open plan. The mezzanine level, on the other hand, will be fitted with a glass balustrade to deliver a sophisticated shopping experience that many Louis Vuitton fans are so used to. Larry Weston Architect will help Place Design Group in the transformation.

Photo Credit: Developmenti/Brisbane City Council

“The proposal represents a great outcome for the City of Brisbane and the Queen Street Mall with a highly regarded global fashion house showing confidence in Brisbane’s retail sector which was has been significantly impacted by the COVID 19 virus,” the developers said.

Country Road was the tenant of the said building for many years. Constructed in the late 1920s, this structure has a neo-classical design which was common to bank buildings during this period.

With this new occupancy, Louis Vuitton will give up its prominent site on the corner of Edward and Queen Streets but there’s no news on what establishment will take over the soon-to-be-vacant property.

It comes as Louis Vuitton invested $11 million to refurbish its flagship store on George Street in 2018.

Fortitude Valley to Welcome Cindy Chow Bar with Burlesque Shows

Fortitude Valley, prepare to be in awe! A revival of the liberating nightlife of underground parlours in the 1920s will heat up Brunswick Street as Cindy Chow, a bar and theatre with burlesque shows, will mark its opening soon.

Conceptualised by nightlife hospitality bigwigs Patrick Donohue and Justin Kong, Cindy Chow has been inspired by Shanghai’s clandestine venues or speakeasy bars during the Prohibition Era. She is a fictional character, imagined as the star of an entertainment venue that served booze and held an illegal gambling operation patronised by Americans and Europeans.

“From these times, one lady ruled the darkest of secrets including drinking, gambling and eroticism. This is her story. A tale of black market dealing and gunshot blasts, high powered boats and plenty of late night street fights. The story of an exceptional life of a lady they called CINDY CHOW,” the operators teased on the official website.

To go with the theme, the fit-out of Cindy Chow will feature Chinese awnings, Chinese pottery, golden Buddhas, jade and red upholstery, tables with a lazy Susan, and a stage for the burlesque shows planned for the weekends.

The appeal and the presentations, however, will be as tasty as the food and drinks to be offered at the bar. There will be an initial 10 types of cocktail drinks that will taste better with choices of Asian bar food like san choy bao, canapes, and duck pancakes.

Cindy Chow is projected to open in late May or early June 2021. More details, including the exact location, will be revealed until then.

True Spirit Double-Decker Gin Bus Now Touring Brisbane

The West End-based Brisbane Distillery’s latest double-decker gin bus, aptly named “The True Spirit”, is finally operational, setting up at the Riverside Markets every Sunday and touring the city every other day.

After making its first appearance on Sunday the 9th of May 2021 at the Riverside Markets, The True Spirit has been making rounds across Brisbane.

Here, customers will be able to book a booth in the buses’ top level and be served three cocktails for $24.99, however those who simply wish to visit can enjoy free samples of the mobile bar’s selection: Brisbane Distillery’s Game of Eucalyptus Gin, Queensland Dry Gin, and Brown Snake Rhum.

The minds behind this double-decker bus are none other than Brisbane Distillery, the creators of the gin school, distillery and bar in West End. The True Spirit has been in development for a long time. Now, it’s finally complete and serves as a mobile bar, with a counter and bartender on the bottom level and a roofed lounge area up top.

Photo credit: Instagram/Brisbane Distillery

Brisbane residents might be able to see The True Spirit driving from street to street as it makes its way towards its next stop. Customers will be able to purchase drinks and grab a seat whenever the vehicle is parked. Stocking its shelves is a collection of gin, tonic, and other essentials needed to create a slew of gin-based cocktails.

Since the Brisbane Distillery has obtained the license necessary to operate all throughout Brisbane, people can expect to see it just about everywhere, whether it be parked outside markets or even close to private residences for parties and celebrations.

Though The True Spirit’s location is never fixed as people can make bookings for the site of its next appearance, Brisbane Distillery can be found at 99 Jane St, West End, open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. onwards with the exception of Saturdays, in which case the distillery opens at 12:00 p.m.

Those interested in reserving The True Spirit can make bookings via this link. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on their double-decker gin buses’ location, as well as any other special announcements.