This superstar chef acclaimed for his work at iconic Sydney and Melbourne Thai restaurant Longrain has opened his first Brisbane restaurant. Charmingly named ‘Short Grain by Martin Boetz,’ the new Fortitude Valley venue is a retail store and smart-casual Thai eatery, offering good service and accessible food.
Martin Boetz is one of the few names that stand out when it comes to Thai cuisine. Celebrated for his illustrious career that includes stints in finest restaurants, two cookbooks, television appearances, numerous awards and accolades, his new venture marries his passion for Thai and South Asian cuisine with his desire to make his culinary creations accessible to everyone..
Whilst hunting for a suitable location, Martin chanced upon and fell in love with a double tenancy at the 1890s Stewart & Hemmant building on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley.
The 225-sqm space with high ceilings, large windows and exposed brick, however, is too large for a Thai grocer. Martin thought that an eatery would be a great addition to this space. And so ‘Short Grain’ was born.
The venue features a 60-seat eatery and an in-house Asian Food retail store where patrons can buy his signature curries and other ingredients including chilli jam, soy mirin dressing, yellow-bean soy dressing, fish and soy sauces and other condiments as well as pre-prepared meals. The store also offers socially curated bottles of wine which includes a house red and white options.
The Thai Eatery offers 15 concise, mouth-watering options including snacks, salads and curries. Some of the must-try appetisers include chicken skin with smoked trout, green mango and peanut relish; hot and sour squid with Vietnamese mint, green shallots and roasted rice; and crab served with sweet pork, green papaya and betel leaves.
The Mains dishes include options include the likes of fried whole market fish served with caramelised turmeric, pineapple and fried basil; caramelised pork hock with fried garlic, chilli vinegar and coriander; and soy braised quail, crisp garlic and peppercorns and black vinegar.
The menu will eventually evolve once new head chef Daniele Passaretta takes over.
According to Martin, his return to Brisbane wasn’t about opening a restaurant; it was about a change of pace and wanting to take some time off. However, this does not mean he is ready to retire; he explains that he still has plans to open a Thai store to keep himself occupied.
Located at 15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley, Short Grain is open Wednesday to Saturday from 12 pm until late, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Published 23-September-2023