The team behind Southside Restaurant is set to open ‘Central‘, a new Hong Kong-inspired venue in Brisbane’s CBD this October.
David Flynn, along with his Rick Shores and Southside co-owners Frank Li, Andrew Hohns, and Nick Woodward, are expanding their culinary influence from South Brisbane to the city centre. The new restaurant will be located in the historic Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street.
Benny Lam and Maui Manu, currently the executive chef and restaurant manager at Southside respectively, are joining as partners in the new venture.
The 80-seat subterranean restaurant will offer a menu inspired by Hong Kong’s Central district, featuring dim sum items such as prawn har gao and Peking duck potstickers. The menu will also include larger dishes like drunken chicken, char siu pork, and roasted duck.
Peter Marchant, the group’s wine director, will oversee a wine list with about 30 options available by the glass, half glass, and half bottle. The cocktail menu will include variations on classic drinks.
Flynn described the concept as a more focused take on Southside’s broadly Chinese menu, emphasising Hong Kong flavours and dumplings.
Architect Jared Webb of J.AR OFFICE, known for his work on the refurbished Gerard’s Bistro, has been engaged to design the space. The interior will reference both the building’s history as the former Primitif Café and the underground nightlife of Hong Kong.
Central is scheduled to open at 340 Queen Street in October, bringing elements of Hong Kong’s cuisine to Brisbane’s CBD.
Published 10-September-2024
