Pavement Whispers: Volume 502 April 8
From news of a beloved brekkie spot’s fresh-faced Newstead cafe to a new hole-in-the-wall slinging Italian-inspired eats, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
Hank’s
The team behind one of New Farm’s most cherished cafes is bringing its cheery hospitality to Newstead this week. Bec and Will Rubiano from Blue Bear Coffeehouse on James Street have taken over the space formerly home to Drip at Haven on Skyring Terrace, transforming it into nifty grab-and-go pit stop Hank’s. The couple has spent the past few weeks giving the airy high-ceilinged site a polish, installing a brand-new green La Marzocco coffee machine, golden neon sign and a bunch of framed photos of their adorable pooch Hank. Described as the little brother to Blue Bear, Hank’s will share plenty of DNA with its sibling – expect Will’s famed smoked meats to feature on the menu, which will include pastries, toasties and a clutch of dine-in options for those eager to sit down for a spot of brunch. A number of Blue Bear signatures are expected to be on offer at Hank’s, including the cafe’s beloved smoked-pork Benedict (featuring smoked-pork shoulder, potato waffles, poached eggs, paprika hollandaise and spiced pear jam), chilli scramble and fried chicken on waffles, all of which will be available alongside specialty coffee from Bear Bones.
MATTINA
Back in January, the crew behind East Brisbane taqueria La Bodega expanded its holdings on the corner of Lytton Road and Latrobe Street with OLLI, a punchy pizza and pasta bar that has quickly become a local favourite. Today, the team is opening another new concept on the corner in the form of MATTINA, a lively grab-and-go dispensary. Framed as the daytime counterpart to its pizza-slinging sibling, MATTINA (‘morning’ in Italian) will sling its wares from a takeaway window on the Latrobe Street side of OLLI. MATTINA will operate from 5:30–11:30 am, serving coffee, matcha, Italian-inspired sandwiches and baked goods. Though the concept is largely conceived as an express outlet, the crew hints that there may be footpath dining added in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled for more!
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Marble Korean Steakhouse
Earlier this year, we revealed that Portside Wharf would soon welcome the arrival of a cutting-edge eatery that delivers and elevated take on Korean barbecue. After much anticipation, Marble Korean Steakhouse is set to officially open on Wednesday April 9, with eager diners encouraged to make a booking to try the restaurant’s premium and elegantly presented fare. Marble’s sleek, industrial-inspired interior (shaped by Clui Design and constructed by Lowry Group) sets a moody scene for culinary exploration, with numerous high-tech smokeless grills (imported from Japan) giving guests the ability to cook premium cuts to their liking, to be enjoyed alongside an array of side dishes and house-made sauces. The rest of the menu of firmly rooted in traditional Korean cooking, but with contemporary tweaks giving these dishes new life. Meanwhile, a wine flight program will help diners pick the perfect drop without any risky guesswork. Stay tuned for an up-close look at Marble Korean Steakhouse soon.
Donnie’s
In the coming weeks, a pair of Canberra transplants will look to make their mark on Brisbane’s dining scene with Donnie’s, a soon-to-open pizza joint and cocktail bar currently taking shape in Teneriffe. Donnie’s will specialise in New York-style pizzas – the kind that are crispier, sturdier and more pliable than their Italian counterparts. The team recently recruited the services of Alim Nayil of Patio Pizza in the UK to help the Donnie’s crew perfect its dough, a lower-hydration recipe that is cold-fermented for 48 hours. Once open, slice lovers will be able to enjoy a core range of eight pizzas topped with top-notch seasonal ingredients, backed by a concise selection of antipasti snacks and small plates. On the drinks front, guests can expect a clutch of local beers, great wine (including a bunch of imported Italian gear), seasonal spritzes and classic cocktails with some Americana-inspired riffs. Want to know more about Donnie’s before it opens? Get the full scoop here.