Happy Boy Archives - Fortitude Valley News

New French Restaurant Petite Opens in Fortitude Valley

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

Petite’s Affordable Luxury To Debut in Fortitude Valley

Did you know? Nestled within the bustling dining precinct of Fortitude Valley, where culinary creativity knows no bounds and taste buds are tantalised at every turn, an exciting revelation is on the horizon.

Petite, the latest brainchild of the visionary Votan brothers, is set to make its grand entrance, bringing with it the timeless elegance of French cuisine to complement the vibrant tapestry of East Street.

Nestled snugly between the alleys of tradition and innovation, Petite stands poised to become a beacon of culinary excellence, offering a harmonious symphony of flavours that dance on the palate and linger in the memory. As the younger sibling to the acclaimed Happy Boy, Petite embarks on a mission to democratise French gastronomy, making it accessible to all who seek culinary delight.

Jordan and Cameron Votan, brothers who share a passion for both Chinese and French cuisine, are the brains behind this culinary endeavour. With Happy Boy already reigning supreme as a mecca for regional Chinese delicacies, the addition of Petite completes the duo, establishing Chinese and French as the twin pillars of East Street’s culinary landscape.

Petite’s charm lies not in ostentatious fine dining but in its unassuming elegance and everyday appeal. Like its sibling, it promises to be a haven for the discerning diner, offering an escape from the mundane with each delectable bite. From the moment one steps through its doors, they are transported to a realm where culinary boundaries blur and culinary adventures await.

The ambience of Petite is a testament to the Votans’ commitment to excellence. With an expansive mezzanine, a sleek downstairs bar, and intimate booths lining the walls, every detail has been meticulously crafted to create an atmosphere of understated luxury. Here, minimalism meets sophistication, creating a space where food and ambiance intertwine seamlessly.

But it is the menu at Petite that truly steals the spotlight, offering an array of French ambience with a contemporary twist. From the indulgent potted confit duck to the savoury chicken cordon bleu, each dish is a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing the culinary prowess of Chef Aubrey Courtel. With a focus on affordability and innovation, Petite promises to delight the palate without breaking the bank.

Of course, no French dining experience would be complete without the perfect wine pairing, and Petite delivers in spades. With a curated selection of French wines, each chosen to complement the flavors of the menu, diners are invited to embark on a journey of gastronomic discovery. From crisp whites to full-bodied reds, there is something to please every palate and enhance every dish.

As the anticipation builds and the aroma of French delicacies fills the air, the stage is set for Petite to take its place among the culinary greats of Fortitude Valley.

With its commitment to excellence, affordability, and innovation, it is poised to become not just a restaurant, but a destination—a place where food lovers gather to celebrate the timeless art of French cuisine. So, mark your calendars and prepare your taste buds, for the arrival of Petite heralds a new era of culinary delight in the heart of Brisbane’s dining scene.

Published Date 26-March-2024

Kid Curry Online Restaurant to Open a Venue in Fortitude Valley

Kid Curry launched at the height of the pandemic lockdown in April as an online restaurant serving only flavourful packed meals for a limited pick up window at its sister site, Happy Boy. Six months since its launch and the eatery will soon open its very own brick and mortar venue in Fortitude Valley.

Cameron and Jordie Votan opened Kid Curry as a way to keep their Happy Boy (Chinese cuisine) and Snack Man (Asian fusion) workers employed during a global health crisis. Now, they have an opportunity to expand and create a mini-dining precinct under the fairylit trees in East Street.

Kid Curry will take over the former site of Project Store, next door to Happy Boy and Snack Man. The pair plans to revitalise this section by setting up an outdoor area where their regulars can comfortably dine al fresco.

With the debut of the permanent eatery, targeted for January 2021, Kid Curry will bring new dishes featuring the flavours of Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as curated by chef Tom Swapp.

If you haven’t tried Kid Curry’s selection, their pick up system is still in place for dine-in orders from Wednesday to Sunday between 4:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Phone 0421981882 for enquiries or check out the menu and orders via its online site.

“Every Friday to Sunday the chef is dishing up new menu items, testing out for Kid Curry in a new space 2021! Come check out what’s coming for our full launch next year.”