James St Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Emme Brings The Art of Wood-Fired Cooking to James Street

It has just opened a few weeks ago but Emme (styled as ēmmē), a wood-fired restaurant at James Street, is quickly becoming a hotspot for food enthusiasts seeking a unique dining experience.

Read: Fortitude Valley Poised to Become a Global Nightlife Hotspot Under New Queensland Initiative

Formerly the site of Spoon Deli Cafe, this eatery, led by first-time restaurateur Thomas Tze Lian and business partner Sultan Amasheh, has already made its mark since opening earlier this year.

Chef Thomas, renowned for his stint as head chef at Greca, draws on his Greek culinary roots, whilst Mr Amasheh brings influences from his Moroccan and Jordanian heritage.

Together, they have curated a menu that seamlessly blends flavours from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Emme’s offerings span from breakfast to lunch, with a recently introduced dinner menu that promises to showcase their culinary prowess.

The restaurant prides itself on its commitment to wood-fired cooking, with 80 percent of their dishes prepared using this traditional method. Already gaining acclaim are their signature dishes such as wood-fired pita bread and oysters, and the hearty combination of potatoes and eggs on sourdough for breakfast. Their lunch menu features delicacies like labneh, a nod to Sultan’s Middle Eastern roots.

Photo credit: Emme James Street/Google Maps

Looking forward, Emme is set to elevate the evening dining experience with a forthcoming Southeast Asian-inspired menu, a collaboration between Chef Thomas and celebrated chef Louis Tikaram. Expectations are high, especially for seafood enthusiasts, as they prepare to introduce a range of tantalising dishes complemented by a curated selection of wines.

Read: Fatcow on James St: Steak and Seafood Restaurant Makes a Comeback

Emme isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey through diverse cultures, expertly brought together under one roof. Whether you’re seeking a robust breakfast, a flavorful lunch, or an innovative dinner experience, Emme invites you to indulge in their distinctive offerings at 3/22 James St, Fortitude Valley.

Published 17-June-2024

James St Up Late: On the Night Prowl in Fortitude Valley

Over 90 businesses will soon be transforming the stretch of James St in Fortitude Valley into the ultimate nocturnal adventure, with James St Up Late.

This year, the district’s scale and reputation promise the most extensive James St Up Late schedule to date, solidifying James St’s position as a vibrant community hub.

The event will spotlight over 90 businesses. These establishments are not only extending their trading hours but are also offering an array of shopping incentives, engaging activities, and the opportunity to meet renowned designers.

This unique evening, now in its 12th edition, will take place on Thursday, 14 March 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

International Designers Spotlight

This year’s event will be graced by international designers who bring a world of style directly to James St’s doorstep. Katie Kolodinski, the visionary founder of Silk Laundry from Canada, will be present in-store throughout the evening.

James St Up Late — Photo Credit: Supplied/Andre Cois

The celebrated Parisian footwear designer Laurence Dacade will visit Maryon’s from France. Both venues will host creative, arty-crafty activities.

The event further cements its artistic credentials with Heidi Middleton of ARTCLUB and Lucy Folk, offering a glimpse into their creative worlds with the Artists In Residence pop-up at The Calile.

Exclusive Shopping Incentives

As a token of appreciation, James St offers three exclusive opportunities for shoppers to take home something special. The event features goody bags filled with premium products, complimentary night blooms for the early birds, and a chance to win a share in over $10,000 worth of prizes.

These initiatives enhance the shopping experience and strengthen the community spirit that James St is renowned for.

The Goody Bags

A highlight of the evening will be 1,000 custom-branded James St canvas tote bags up for grabs. These goody bags, a symbol of the event’s exclusivity, contain a variety of gifts from esteemed “friends of the street,” offering an additional incentive for early purchases at participating retailers.

Flower Fountain and Catch The Loot

The Flower Fountain collaboration with James St Florist ensures that the first 100 shoppers receive beautifully wrapped night blooms, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to the shopping spree. Meanwhile, the ‘loot booth’ offers a thrilling chance to win generous prizes donated by James St’s resident businesses, from hotel stays to dining experiences and shopping vouchers.

Expanding Retailer Program

This year witnesses the largest retailer program in James St Up Late’s history, featuring exciting dining collaborations, first-time participants, and more discounts and gifts with purchase than ever before.

Despite Cru Bar’s temporary closure for renovations, its sibling venue Sixes And Sevens steps up to offer a ‘Taste of Cru’ tasting platter, alongside newcomers like James & Antler and Carmen opening their doors for their first Up Late event.

Fashionable Dining and Accommodations

The Calile, James St Up Late’s event partner, enhances the evening with fashionable snacks at the Lobby Bar Snack Stop and offers complimentary snacks during aperitivo hour in the Lobby Bar. Guests planning an overnight stay are treated to a Calile branded water bottle and guaranteed a James St Goody Bag, making the event an all-encompassing experience that celebrates the community’s vibrant lifestyle and the unique charm of James St.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Published 7-March-2024

New and Upcoming Restaurants to Try in Fortitude Valley

Here are five new and upcoming Fortitude Valley restaurants that are bravely navigating the pandemic challenges to bring you delicious, must-try cuisine.

1. Bianca

Delivering the vibe of a classic trattoria, Bianca features simple but flavourful pasta dishes and mains like steaks and the crowd favourite, porchetta alla Romana, with slight variation fitted for the Aussie dining scene. Everything is prepared in-house at this restaurant and despite the challenging times, Bianca’s booking has been constantly filled up as customers long for the comfort of Italian food. For 2022, Bianca has ramped up its menu with new pasta dishes to try. They also provide takeaway options.

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

Fortitude Valley — Photo Credit: BiancaRestuarant/Facebook

*Photo Credit: BiancaRestuarant/Facebook*

2. Bisou Bisou

Website

SOCIAL MEDIA

French restaurant Bisou Bisou has captured the vibrant ambience of the Parisian dining scene from its interiors to its cosy courtyard, its waitstaff, and all the way to the kitchen where the head chef whips up dishes that will have you exclaiming, “Trés Bien!” If you’re craving for escargot on toast and gnocchi, authentically prepared French-style, you now know where to go.

3. Essa

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

Those looking to wine and dine can’t go wrong with Essa with its choiced selection of delectable dishes and drinks. Don’t be intimated by its dark, broody fit-out — this goes with the appeal and atmosphere that its owners want the customers to enjoy. Perfect for intimate dinners or for small groups who want to lounge and unwind, Essa prides in sourcing ingredients from local producers to deliver high-end meals worth the splurge.

*Photo Credit: Essa.Restaurant/Instagram*

4. Gemelli

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joining the rows of Italian restaurants in the Valley is Gemelli, a 120-seater dining space that encourages family dining. What sets this one apart from the other Italian restaurants in the precinct is its luxurious vibe. Gemelli is for big, classy celebrations, where groups can share generous servings of Naples-style pizza, pasta and mains with a Milan-inspired bar scene. The restaurant has over 200 on its wine list.

5. Rosmarino

WEBSITE

SOCIAL MEDIA

Rosmarino has given life to a deserted corner in the refurbished Stewart & Hemmant building with its vintage ambiance and cosy vibe. If you want to catch up with a dear friend over a bowl of homestyle pasta, a plate of all’anatra, and a glass of wine, you’ve got to experience the food and drinks at this restaurant. Rosmarino’s dishes are prepared using traditional techniques from Northern Eastern Italy. Delivery and takeaway options available.

Photo Credit: RosmarinoBrisbane/Facebook

To confirm opening schedules and other Covid19-related updates, please check their social media pages.

Opening Soon in Fortitude Valley

The team behind Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster are opening two new restaurants on James St: Sunshine (January 2022) and Sushi Room (March 2022).

While details and social media presence are still hush-hush, the word on the street is that Sunshine will feature all-vegetarian Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant will open directly in front of The Calile Hotel, taking over the former spot of Chow House. It will boast of a unique service where customers will not have to wait for their food and a major part of its offering will be the takeaway options.

Sushi Room, on the other hand, will be an 80-seater Japanese restaurant and bar moving into the former home of Scotch & Soda and Museum of Small Things. Its menu will be focused on mostly sushi and sashimi, with a few choices of wagyu steak, tempura or fish. Sushi Room will also offer an 18-course meal for a two-hour dining experience.