Pneuma, a new culinary concept from two top-notch chefs, is opening in the city next month
What do you get when two of Brisbaneās best chefs take over a storied inner-city restaurant space and reshape it according to their combined vision? Weāll find out on Wednesday November 1, when top-flight talents Dan Arnold and Matt Blackwell open Pneuma on George Street. Hereās what we know ā¦
Real recognises real. Thatās the quickest and easiestĀ way to summarise how Matt Blackwell and Dan Arnoldās new partnership came to be. Naturally, their mutual appreciation was fostered through food. Theyād dined at each otherās restaurants plenty ā atĀ GOMA Restaurant, where Matt was head chef for approximately half a decade, and atĀ Restaurant Dan Arnold, Danās eponymous Fortitude Valley institution.
They also shared an appreciation for Tool, the progressive metal band from which the two have plucked naming inspiration for their joint venture, Pneuma.Ā āWhen we started hanging out we realisedĀ that we both loveĀ Tool,āĀ reveals Matt.Ā āThe meaning of that word has got connotations in what weāre doing ā itās an oldĀ Greek term for the creativeĀ breath, theĀ creative spirit of a person or persons. The fact thatĀ itāsĀ aĀ Tool song as well is a good bonus.ā
Pneuma is set to open on Wednesday November 1 in the space previously home to French-inspired restaurant Greenglass. Itās a rare space, as far as vacant inner-city sites are concerned ā a brightly lit abodeĀ hidden at the top of an inconspicuous flight of stairs off George Street, equal distance between Queen Street Mall and the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
The opportunity to take on the space manifested by chance.Ā āCameron [Votan, co-owner of Greenglass andĀ Happy Boy] just asked me if I wanted to come have a look,ā admits Dan. āThe opportunity fell into my lap, in a way.ā Dan contacted Matt, who had recently returned from a holiday post his GOMA Restaurant departure, and the duo decided to throw in together on a concept that with showcase their tastes and talents.
Like most of Toolās best songs, Pneuma will evolve and morph over time. Itās starting as a pop-up, with the duo eager to survey the scene and respond to the demands of the inner-city crowd. āItāll be evolving constantly,ā explains Matt. āI think the idea to pop-up is to kind of test the waters forĀ the first two months and see what goes. And then moving forward in January and February, itās going to evolve into something else ā or if it works itāll stay the same.ā
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Much is yet to be revealed about Pneumaās offering, which will initially be targeted predominantly towards a daytime crowd. āStraight away itās going to be lunch heavy ā I think the space and location fits that,ā says Matt.Ā āItās not going to be regimented fine dining. Itās just going to be going to be good food. A kind of fine-diningĀ food but just put across in a more relaxed and casual way. A bit more free and easy.ā
The duo wonāt be adhering to any guidelines, as far as cuisine is concerned ā theyāre keeping things fluid and interesting. ThatĀ said, the duo confirms that guests will be able to choose from anĀ a la carte menu of dishes that range from small to large, a two-to-three course ensemble, or an extended tasting menu. āIf it tastes good, serve it,ā says Dan, who adds that theyāre eager to give the Greenglass clientele plenty of reasons to come back. āWe want to offer them something new ā something thatās evolved and will continue evolving. Something thatās using the skills of Matt, who is one of the best chefs in town and has been for a few years now.ā
On the drinks front, Dan will leverage his established connections through Restaurant Dan Arnold andĀ La Cache Ć VĆnĀ to amass a reference list sitting somewhere between 100 and 150Ā wines from smaller producers. TheĀ Pneuma team will be switching over tables and chairs for an initial aesthetic refresher,Ā though any structural changesĀ will take place in the new year.
Couched in a sense of unpredictability, Pneuma presents as an exciting addition to The Cityās resurgent dining scene. After all, itās not often that two highly touted chefs link up toĀ jam on a new wavelength. āItās going to be fun and good because ofĀ who is behind it,ā says Matt. āItās not going to be a replica of one ofĀ our other places ā itāll be something new, different and exciting for Brisbane.ā
Bookings for Pneuma are live ā head to theĀ Stumble GuideĀ for reservation links and other key details.
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