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Popular Fortitude Valley Record Store To Close After Six-Year Run

After an almost-six-year run on Ann St in Fortitude Valley, the beloved record store Phase 4 Records & Cassettes will be closing down on the 28th of March.

In business since 2015, Phase 4 has supplied its customers with vintage vinyl records and other wares related to various genres of music such as band shirts and merchandise. Phase 4 has also supported some of Brisbane’s local bands by hosting weekly in-store gigs every Sunday.

Some of the other services provided by the record store include vinyl and cassette transfers, record cleaning, and record collection appraisal and valuations. Phase 4 also allows music lovers to sell old and unwanted records and cassettes for fair prices.

Photo credit: Facebook/Phase 4 Records & Cassettes

Based on the reactions to the record store’s Facebook announcement of closure, Phase 4 has been a much-loved community hub. One commenter claimed that the store was “…more than just a record shop…” and that the staff and those who frequented the venue were “…my rock in good times and in bad.”

After almost six years in Bakery Lane and on Ann Street, we have decided to close our bricks and mortar establishment in…
Posted by Phase 4 Records & Cassettes on Saturday, February 27, 2021

Even punk rock musician Ed Kuepper of The Aints celebrated Phase 4’s contribution to the community, lauding it as “…one of the last of the great old style Valley shops…” before claiming that “…an era ends with you…”

Veteran punk rock musician Ed Kuepper
Photo credit: Facebook/Ed Kuepper/The Aints

Phase 4 Records & Cassettes can be found in 680F Ann St. For more information on pre-closing activities, visit their website or check their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Bisou Bisou Is The Newest Parisian-inspired Restaurant In Fortitude Valley

Photo credit: Bisou Bisou/Facebook

Renowned hotel and restaurant group Ghanem, the team behind Donna Chang, Blackbird Bar and Grill and Byblos, has firmly established itself as a leader in luxury hospitality. Now, the group is making its first foray into Fortitude Valley with a French brasserie eatery called Bisou Bisou.

Housed inside the luxurious Hotel X, Bisou Bisou is a gorgeous spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are open as early as 6:30 am – so you can go ahead and have some toast or pastries – and until late, for an intimate date night.

Read: An Inside Look at Altitude, Fortitude Valley’s Newest Rooftop Bar

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Menu items for lunch and dinner include French classics like seafood bouillabaisse, steak frites and whole roasted free-range chicken, plus desserts all prepared by Ghanem Group’s current executive chef Jake Nicolson and Chef Anthony Donaldson, former head chef at Blackbird. For drinks, Bisou Bisou features an aperitivo bar which boasts spritzes and negronis, as well as vintage French wines.

Awashed in warm hues and adorned with antique mirrors, floral couches, and wood tones, it’s the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Bisou, in French, actually translates to “kiss” so their name just perfectly suits the place. And like most restaurants you’ll find in Paris, they have an open kitchen for an even more entertaining dining experience.

Bisou Bisou can be found on the ground floor of Hotel X at 458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information or to make a reservation, visit bisou-bisou.com.au.

Honouring Graham Pampling, Beloved Busker of the Queen Street Mall

A petition has been called by the Brisbane public to erect a statue of the late-yet-legendary busker Graham Pampling at Queen Street Mall, where he played the saxophone six days a week from 1998 to 2018.

Graham Pampling, who passed in 2019, was a beloved busker who had become something of a community staple in Queen Street. It was hard to ignore the blind busker whose music had become an integral part of everyone’s everyday life, regaling the city with his saxophone.

His labradors, who served as his guide dogs and loyal friends, often accompanied him during these sessions. Pampling became something of a local celebrity given his inspiring story.

Pampling was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic condition that slowly causes cells in the retina to die which then leads to blindness.

Throughout his life, he experienced a great many hardships — including the death of his 19-year-old son, who tragically perished in a forklifting accident in 1985.

The marriage between Pampling and his wife of 28 years also broke down, which then led to the busker-to-be to travel to Brisbane with his saxophone, where he stayed for the next three decades. He’d set up in Queen Street Mall and begin busking for every passerby, serenading the public with his beautiful music.

His music wasn’t the only thing that cemented his status as a local icon and inspiration in the city, for Pampling had also volunteered at local schools to teach visually impaired students how to type without using their sight.

Brisbane residents from all around the city have signed a petition, titled Remember Graham Pampling, to immortalise him and celebrate his memory by creating a statue in his honour. As of the 28th of February, 2021, over 6,900 people have signed in hopes of having the statue raised. Those interested in contributing to Graham Pampling’s memory can find and sign the petition here.

Nucleus Network in Herston Conducting New At-Home Vaccine Trials

Nucleus Network, a clinical research center in Herston, is conducting early trials of a new at-home vaccine against COVID-19. The initiative is a partnership with Symvivo, a biotechnology company in Canada, which developed the needleless vaccine that may be stored at room temperature.

Around 24 Brisbane locals, between the ages of 18 and 55, are part of the first trial in Queensland. Nucleus Network will move on to a bigger trial if the results are promising.

The at-home vaccine is still awaiting approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. However, it is expected to be a game-changer as the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the first available vaccine, has a strict storage requirement for a freezer with a temperature of -70C.

If the Symvivo at-home vaccine receives approval, it will allow for more people to receive protection against the virus directly from the comforts of their homes. The Symvivo could be self-administered as it is an oral vaccine. It is infused with probiotic bacteria, which has been genetically modified with synthetic DNA to induce an immune response against the virus, SARS-CoV-2 to prevent COVID-19.

“Our unique technology harnesses a genetically modified bacterial vector encoding a plasmid to safely and selectively deliver oral DNA vaccines and therapies directly to targeted tissues,” Symvivo said on its official site.

Nucleus Network’s Herston director, Professor Paul Griffin, said that Symvivo’s pre-clinical trials and tests in laboratories showed that it’s safe and effective against the virus. The company is hopeful that the human trials will deliver promising outcomes as well, but Mr Griffin held off commenting on the progress of the clinical trials before data proves its efficacy.

Coppa Reopens For Waterfront Dining On Eagle Street Pier

Photo credit: COPPA/Facebook

After almost a year of closing its CBD location due to the pandemic, Italian restaurant COPPA Spuntino is finally open for both indoor and outdoor dining, this time in a much larger space on Eagle Street Pier.

COPPA Spuntino, or simply COPPA is now occupying the former Il Centro site. Designed to make guests feel like they’re dining on Amalfi Coast in Italy, it has a stunning riverfront location and a menu that focuses on fresh seafood. At COPPA, diners can expect antipasti-style small plates, pastas and mains like roast porchetta with rocket and apple or Pesce del giorno (fresh fish of the day).

COPPA’s meatballs courtesy of Saison Salumi (Photo credit: COPPA/Facebook)

The kitchen is overseen by Chef Vincent Clist, who was the head chef at Abinger Cookery School which specialises in chalet cooking. Like what every chalet chef does, Chef Clist’s job involves serving superior quality meals with an emphasis on fresh produce and at COPPA, he’s going to do that by using the best local catches.

Then for charcuterie, the restaurant commissioned Saison Salumi to serve what they call “Brisbane’s best meatballs.” Saison Salumi is known for its seasonal cured meats, done through traditional slow curing. For drinks, the restaurant boasts an extensive list of wines made in Italy as well as Italian varietal wines made in Australia.

While the place was completely stripped back, The Happy Fat Group, the owners of COPPA, kept the original dining chairs and the parquetry flooring of Il Centro. They removed the old private dining room to come up with an extended bar and new booths. They also got the help of architect Adam Laming to design their new contemporary space.

If you’ve missed dining at COPPA or want to know why they’re such a great hit among CBD diners, visit their new location on Eagle Street Pier, 45 Eagle St, Wednesdays to Sundays. They are now taking bookings for lunch and dinner through their website. You can also check them out on Facebook for the latest updates and special promotions.

Fortitude Valley’s Popular Hellenika Zucchini Chips to be Patented

For nearly 10 years and counting, Hellenika, the Greek restaurant inside The Calile in Fortitude Valley, has been known for its addicting, crunchy and tasty zucchini chips. It’s been on the restaurant’s menu from the beginning and now restaurateur Simon Gloftis plans to patent how it’s made.

Mr Gloftis said that patenting the popular entrée or poolside snack, otherwise also called the Kolokithia, would prevent copycats from developing their version of the Hellenika zucchini chips. He wants to ensure that this product is solely identified with his restaurant because it will never be taken off the menu.

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Every week, Hellenika serves thousands of orders of this thinly-sliced batter-fried goodness and the demand hasn’t slowed after the pandemic lockdown.

“You can never have a bad day when Hellenika zucchini chips are involved, it’s a fact,” the restaurant’s Instagram page stated. “Sprinkled with kefalograviera, because cheese makes everything even better.⁠”

Mr Gloftis hasn’t detailed how he’ll acquire the food patent but he’s not the only one planning to patent a signature dish. Detour in Woolloongabba will also patent its recipe and cooking process for its famous Kentucky Fried Duck (KFD).

Meanwhile, Hellenika is the loveliest place for Sunday dining and lounging by The Calile Hotel’s poolside if you want to indulge in a fancy vibe, impressive and authentic Mediterranean food, as well as fantastic Greek pale ale or cocktails.

Book a spot in advance at this sophisticated venue.

The Mason Baker Brings Australia’s First Cupcake ATM to Fortitude Valley

Ever heard of an ATM dispensing cupcakes instead of cash? See Australia’s very first Cupcake ATM in action as it launches in Fortitude Valley courtesy of The Mason Baker.

In 2012, Sprinkles, an innovative foodie company from Beverly Hills changed how sweet-tooth and dessert lovers got an instant and sweet gratification with the Cupcake ATM. Now with an annual revenue of US$16 million, the idea has exploded around the world and it is finally coming to Brisbane on Friday, 5 Feb 2021.

The Mason Baker, a Tennyson-based company best known for its decadent jar cakes, will be setting up its very own Cupcake ATM at 6 Warner Street, right outside the new Kickons bar, for every weekend of February (Thursday, Friday and Saturday).

It will be easy to spot the vending machine. Just keep your eyes peeled for a bright pink coloured ATM, which will likely have a long line of cupcake lovers by 5:00 p.m. — cos that’s when the vending machine has a fresh batch of spongy delights.

Owner James Willis said that they have been working with Worldwide Vending to bring this innovative idea amidst the surge of a new contactless economy in the food industry.

The Cupcake ATM will have heaps of choices, including classic favourites like Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate Ganache and Salted Caramel. Each order will be packed in The Mason Baker’s familiar container.

Essentially, if the Cupcake ATM becomes a hit, The Mason Baker plans to put more machines across Brisbane for the rest of 2021.

Moonlight Cinema at Roma Street Parkland: ‘Shadow in the Clouds,’ ‘I Am Greta’ Screening in January

Do you enjoy summer movie viewing under the stars? Moonlight Cinema in Roma Street Parkland resumes its summer season presentations with a number of exciting films for screening in January 2021.

The outdoor movie venue at the Parkland Boulevard has been a Brisbane summer staple for the last two decades. Despite the necessary COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures, the fun will continue every day this summer, weather permitting.

Showcases for the month include the advance screening of Shadow in the Clouds, a fantasy action film featuring Chloë Grace Moretz and Taylor John Smith, and the special presentation of the award-winning documentary I Am Greta, featuring climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

Below are the rest of the movies to watch for the month of January 2021:

Moonlight Cinema in Brisbane is not a BYO alcohol event but guests may still indulge and spoil themselves because there will be heaps of food and drink trucks all around the venue.

For an upgraded experience, moviegoers may book for Connoisseur Lounge tickets, Gold Grass tickets or the Platinum Experience tickets. These extra-special deals offer the following:

Connoisseur Lounge tickets	– 1x Tickets to your selected session – 1x Reserved bean bed situated in an exclusive area with a great view of the screen – 1x Connoisseur ice-cream stick
Gold Grass tickets	– 1x ticket to your selected session – 1x Deluxe bean bed situated in an exclusive area with prime viewing – Waiter service
Platinum Experience tickets	– 2x tickets to your selected session – 1x Premium double bean bed situated in an exclusive area with prime viewing – Waiter service – A Food & Drinks package for two including 1x Parlour Lane Popcorn, 2x Mt Franklin Still Water, 1x Malteasers sharing bag, an exclusive box of delicious canapes and two selected signature beverages from the Tia Maria bar – 2x Tia Maria Blankets to take home

Before going to the Roma Street Parkland Ampitheatre, make sure to review Moonlight Cinema’s COVID-19 safety guidelines and ticketing rescheduling concerns, in case of inclement weather cancellations.

Since this is an outdoor venue, families may bring their dogs during the film screening.

Photo Credit: Roma Street Parkland/Facebook

Gates to the cinema usually opens at 5:30 p.m. whilst the screening starts at approximately 7:15 p.m.

Cielo Rooftop Bar: World-Class Bar Operator Opens Brisbane’s New Bolthole

Tired of going to your usual burrow? Cielo Rooftop Bar is a new drinking spot worth checking out at Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley and it’s managed by the group behind a world-class bar in Sydney and the folks from the family eatery Salt Meats Cheese.

Opened since the second week of Dec 2020, Ciele Rooftop Bar takes over the former home of Altitude Rooftop Bar at the heritage-listed Foresters Hall.

Sydney’s Maybe Sammy owner Stefano Catino, whose bar was named the 11th among 50 best bars in the world, partnered with his old pals, Salt Meats Cheese owners Stefano di Blasi and Edoardo Perlo, to deliver this Italian-inspired leisure space.

The new rooftop bar elevates nightcaps as guests embrace the Italian Riviera vibe, knocking down the former dark somber New York-inspired ambience of the old drinking venue.

Settle into one of those bright yellow booths and order up from the bar’s extensive drink list. Enjoy the view of the gorgeous skyline whilst sipping highly-recommended concoctions like the St Tropez Colada (Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, white rum, pineapple and coconut), Harry’s Dream (Bacardi rum, peach wine, lemon, strawberry and pear) and the Azzurro (Tanqueray gin, grappa moscato, citrus, Marionette blue curacao and orgeat syrup). Pair up the drinks with a plate of fresh oysters, a combo of baked focaccia and hummus, or a serving of sashimi.

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But for really famished guests, head one floor down to the La Costa Bar, which also comes from the same owners of the rooftop bar.

La Costa, with its aesthetically-pleasant coastal shoreline vibe, serves a variety of tapas or cheese and charcuterie boards, Spanish eggs with chorizo, and crispy devilled whitebait. The eatery also has a great selection of Italian wine, craft beer and champagne.

Cielo Rooftop Bar and La Costa are actually two of three new restaurant collaborations from Catino, di Blasi and Perlo during this pandemic. In August, the old friends opened Eterna, the Italian fine dining restaurant, on Ann Street and they still have two new sites to debut by early 2021.

For trading hours, bookings and great deals, follow the bars’ Facebook pages: Cielo | La Costa