East Street Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Brisbane’s dining scene was left reeling when news broke that Woolloongabba’s beloved progressive restaurant, Detour, would be closing its doors just before Christmas 2024. However, the shock quickly turned to excitement when it was revealed that Detour wasn’t gone for good.

Read: Crowbar Brisbane Returns: A New Era for the Iconic Venue

Instead, the forward-thinking eatery is taking a short detour—literally—before finding a new permanent home. For now, Detour fans and curious food lovers can look forward to a three-month pop-up in Fortitude Valley, offering a taste of the past, present, and future of the restaurant.

A Limited-Time Culinary Experience

East St, Fortitude Valley (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Starting February 14, Detour will occupy the former Kid Curry space (next to to Happy Boy) on East Street for three months. The pop-up will be open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday and for lunch on Saturdays, offering a five-course set menu with omnivore and herbivore options that will change each month.

Photo credit: Detour Restaurant/Facebook

Diners can expect a mix of nostalgia and innovation. The first menu will highlight Detour’s most popular dishes, such as the famous KFD (Kentucky Fried Duck) and gunpowder wagyu brisket, providing an opportunity for those who missed out on a final meal at the original Woolloongabba venue. As the pop-up progresses, the menu will shift towards more experimental dishes, offering a preview of what’s to come in Detour’s next chapter.

In addition to the food, the beverage selection will reflect the restaurant’s commitment to quality and sustainability. A condensed version of Detour’s Australian natural wine list will be available, featuring a curated selection of reds, whites, sparkling, rosé, and orange wines by the glass.

Looking Ahead: Detour’s Permanent Return

While details about Detour’s future location remain undisclosed, its core principles will remain unchanged. The restaurant will continue to prioritise sustainability, inclusivity, and progressive dining.

The owners have confirmed that the focus will still be on sustainably sourced produce, inclusive dining, and maintaining a casual atmosphere. The Australian wine list will also remain a key feature.

Read: Hellenika Slashes Bills in a Big Way for Hospitality Staff

For now, Brisbane diners have a rare chance to experience Detour in an intimate and evolving format before it transitions to its next home. Whether a long-time fan or a newcomer eager to explore its offerings, the Detour pop-up in Fortitude Valley is set to be one of the city’s must-visit dining experiences of the season.

Published 11-February-2025

The Happy Boy team has expanded their East Street culinary empire with the opening of Petite, a French restaurant that promises to bring a touch of Gallic flair to Fortitude Valley.

Located on the corner of East Street and Ann Street, Petite is the latest venture from brothers Cameron and Jordan Votan. The restaurant occupies a prime spot, offering diners views of the bustling Ann Street and the start of James Street through its open-glass windows.

The spacious venue can accommodate approximately 115 guests, with 75 seats on the ground floor and an additional 40 on the mezzanine level, which is available for private functions.

Jordan Votan’s minimalist design features steel and concrete, balanced by leather booths, walnut furniture, and statement chandeliers imported from Como, Italy. The centrepiece is a low-set open kitchen, led by former Mini chef Aubrey Courtel.

Cameron Votan emphasized the kitchen’s design, noting, “We spent a lot of time designing the kitchen. The extraction system, which is like a ventilated ceiling, is a really high-tech piece of equipment. And everything in the kitchen is electric. We’re not trying to char everything, it’s about accuracy and delicacy.”

The menu, though concise, offers a range of French classics. Diners can expect dishes such as steak tartare, onion tarte tartin, and Wagyu bavette with café de Paris butter. A standout feature is the commitment to soufflés, with both savory and sweet options available to bookend meals.

“We’ve actually built the kitchen around that,” Cameron explained. “You can’t open an oven while a soufflé is cooking, so there’s a whole soufflé section. We put in two separate ovens for that purpose, because soufflés are such an amazing part of French cuisine.”

The wine list is equally impressive, featuring 20 French wines available by the glass. The use of Coravin technology allows patrons to sample rare wines from cult French producers without committing to a full bottle. For those with specific preferences, staff can also retrieve bottles from the adjacent Snack Man’s extensive wine wall.

Petite Fortitude Valley is open Tuesday to Thursday from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, Friday from midday to 10 PM, and Saturday from 5:30 PM to 10 PM. The restaurant does not accept phone reservations, but more information can be found on their website or Instagram page.

book your reservations here!

Published 14-June-2024

Tag: East Street

Detour Takes a Temporary Home in Fortitude Valley—Here’s What’s on the Menu

A Limited-Time Culinary Experience

Looking Ahead: Detour’s Permanent Return

New French Restaurant Petite Opens in Fortitude Valley