Feast on Brisbane #33

Iconic restaurant trashed, Latin America comes to the Valley, Sydney restaurant reinvented in Noosa, cocktail flights, and a bush festival – it’s all in Feast on Brisbane #33, a carefully curated collection of food news for those who love the best things in life.

Got a Brisbane food update to share? Email Kerry@eatdrinkandbekerry.com.au

Rock the Kazba Disco Punch

Table of Contents

* 9 TOP BRISBANE BITES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Here’s nine food finds for your eating pleasure in Feast on Brisbane #33.

Spirit House trashed

Iconic Sunshine Coast restaurant, The Spirit House at Yandina, has been trashed by a man on a psychotic drug-induced rampage. He took revenge on red wine, computers, and anything electric and then dusted it all with a fire extinguisher! The damage is so extensive the restaurant will be closed until mid-October for a rebuild. The Cooking School will continue to operate as usual.

Iconic Sydney restaurant Lucio’s moving to Noosa

Sydneysiders will feel even more at home in Noosa with the opening of seafood trattoria and bar Lucio’s Marina, overlooking the Noosa River with a Riveria vibe. The doors will open at Noosa Marina in November. Lucio’s in Paddington, run by Lucio Galletto, his wife Sally, son Matteo and daughter Michela, closed in January after 40 years. The new restaurant is a partnership between restaurateur Matteo Galletto, his wife Dieuwke Albertsma and his sister Michela Galletto. Lucio’s Marina will specialise in freshly caught local seafood and the Noosa hinterland superb produce with a 60-70 seat trattoria. There will also be a 50-seat all-day aperitivo bar. The menu will include stuzzichini (snacks) and antipasti, ideal for sharing, handmade pasta including Lucio’s famous tagliolini alla granseola (crab pasta) and fresh, locally caught seafood including Mooloolaba prawns, Hervey Bay scallops and Moreton Bay bugs. The team is delighted to have this produce, often served in Paddington, right on the doorstep.

Buy strawberries now

The Queensland Strawberry peak season is in full swing and with excellent growing conditions, there’s a huge abundance of strawberries hitting the shelves. Many farms have been increasing their volume output by 30-50% in just the last week alone, which is set to continue for the next 6 weeks! So now’s the time to stock up on punnets whilst they’re in their prime. Currently, punnets of strawberries are widely available for under $2, with Woolworths selling at $1.90, Coles at $1.70, and Aldi at $0.99 across the state. Meaning, farmers are actively losing around 50c for every sale and are unable to cover the most basic of costs if demand doesn’t increase – which could ultimately lead to no strawberries on our shelves! It’s now more important than ever for Aussies to take advantage of the super low prices and get inventive with their strawberries, from oven roasting and complimenting a baked brie, to a spicy strawberry salsa with tortilla chips (which goes extremely well with a fruity gin cocktail) – the options are endless! So, if you’re a strawberry lover and want to help save our Queensland strawberry industry, there’s no better time than now to head into your local store to stock up on punnets of high-quality fruit, while they’re at their plumpest and juiciest. Here’s a beautiful recipe for a strawberry roulade and strawberry crepes.

New Hilton Exec Chef

Expect some classic Italian influences at Vintaged Bar + Grill with the appointment of Milanese born Dario Fiorino as Hilton Brisbane’s new Executive Chef. “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role,” said Dario. “I believe that food should bring ultimate joy to diners, and my vision is to create delicate, uncomplicated dishes using fresh local Queensland produce and premium Australian meat, infused with the unique aromas and flavours of the grill.” Vintaged Grill is open for dinner Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 pm. Reservations are essential.

Hey Chica!

Brisbane’s new Latin American-style Social Club Hey Chica! opens in Fortitude Valley on September 17. Expect the old-world charm of a classic Havana bar experience in Brisbane’s bustling Brunswick Street. Influenced by the hum of a neighbourhood street party, Hey Chica! is the closest you’ll get to Havana without a passport. It will boast a menu inspired by the street-food scene in Latin America and matching cocktail concoctions. Find it at 315 Brunswick Street in the Mall.

Brisbane Night Noodle Markets

Scheduled for September 2021, the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets have been cancelled as the organisers are unable to go ahead due to the current COVID-19 outbreak and related Government restrictions.

Bar Kazaba

It’s exotic and hidden, a dimly lit place in the heart of the Valley where you can escape the ordinary and transport to Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife. That’s the promise offered by Kazba’s new cocktail experience, ‘Sababa Nights Trail’. Their cocktails are a portal to a faraway place with spicy plantation rums, including Ron Zacapa 23 Years, Pampero Anejo, Pampero Blanco and house-made pomegranate infusions. Try a flight of four rum cocktails for $69 pp. The bar offers street food created over charcoal and woodfire on Friday and Saturday nights, including Fried Sesame Falafel with Tahini & Amba Pickles and Chilli Haloumi Savoury Doughnuts with Pomegranate & Chilli Jam.

Buy from the Bush Festival

Summerland Camel Farm in the Scenic Rim will be a celebration of the flavours, food, faces, wines, tourism experiences, talents, crafts, and products of the bush for the first Buy from the Bush Festival on September 18 from 9 am to 3 pm. Makers, growers, producers, artists and businesses from as far away as Longreach and across the Scenic Rim region have been invited to showcase their wares. Here’s how to explore the Scenic Rim when you visit.

Father’s Day dining

Need somewhere to celebrate Father’s Day – here’s a list of top places to go.

Plan your next escape

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Food and Wine highlights

The Carnival of Flowers Festival of Food and Wine returns to Queens Park this year from September 10 to 12, celebrating the best in regional produce and Australian music. Another one to get excited about, and new to this year’s month-long Carnival of Flowers program, is High Cheese at Spring Bluff on September 4 will hosted by chef and local produce champion Alastair McLeod. It will be set amongst the beautiful gardens at the heritage-listed station with 150 years of railway history. Running all month is the #trEATS regional food trail which shines the light on 36 cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs with Spring inspired dishes. Visit tcof.com.au for the menu.

Hazelwood Estate in the Scenic Rim

Treat yourself with a stay at the Scenic Rim’s newest luxury retreat, Hazelwood Estate, from September 1. The property is set on a picturesque 75-acre wagyu and polo farm in the Gold Coast Hinterland beside world-heritage listed Lamington National Park. Overlooking the rolling green hills of Beechmont and Binna Burra, it is the sort of lux that make you forget a pandemic. Guests (only over the age of 14) can stay in one of the 17 King Farm Cabins, which have private decks, rain showers, and a minibar stocked with locally sourced treats. The estate’s signature restaurant celebrates the Scenic Rim’s farming heritage as directed by one of Australia’s top chefs, Cameron Matthews, in The Paddock Restaurant. Lunch is offered from 12 noon Thursday to Sunday (Three-course $85 I Two-course $75) and dinner from 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday (Three-course $85 I Two-course $75). Rates are around $649 per night for a two-night stay.