Kitchen Confidential: Two new venues open in Fortitude Valley

It’s a new venue set to shake up Brisbane’s late-night dining scene — and it brings a special challenge for those up to the task.

BRISBANE’S late-night dining scene is in for an exciting shake-up with the opening of Ling Ling’s this week.

Taking over the space formerly occupying Heya Bar on Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, the bar and eatery aims to serve crowds until at least 1am with a Chinese-leaning, pan-Asian menu and exciting drink offering.

First look inside new neighbouring Fortitude Music Hall Venue

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From Melt Brothers and Disco Entertainment’s Justin Kong and Famous nightclub’s Patrick Donohue, the venue’s focus will be on fun.

“We want it to be a place where people can come early and have a feed and some cocktails and then stay until late, play some games and can have a dance or maybe do a bit of karaoke,” Kong says.

Built around good times, the underground space will feature arcade games, a pool table, pinball and more, alongside a main dining room for up to 50, a separate eating space seating around 30, and expansive central bar.

A 14-seater communal table known as the Emperor’s Table is designed to cater to large groups, while bottle service will also be available, with birthday parties, celebrations and functions to be a focus.

Locally sourced, quality ingredients will be the backbone of the share-style, snack menu which will feature the likes of duck san choy bao, pineapple fried rice and braised pork belly; while Heya’s much loved cheeseburger spring rolls will return.

Justin Kong at his new bar Ling Ling’s in Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Cranitch

And for the super-hungry, Ling Ling’s will offer The Emperor Kong’s Challenge – where patrons have just 2½ minutes to devour 30 prawn and ginger dumplings using chopsticks.

The winners walking away with a $20 venue voucher and photo on the wall of fame.

A solid range of wine and beer (including beer towers) will be in play, but the main drinks focus will be on cocktails, with Asian-inspired mixes served in teapots and soup bowls designed to share.

Signature cocktails include: Go Ling Ling, It’s Ya Birthday – Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, banana liqueur, caramel and cream; Chai Felicia – Amaretto, Ling Ling’s Chai Tea, citrus and soda; Sucki Sucki Teapot Cocktail (for two people) – Absolut Vanilia Vodka, strawberry puree, aloe vera, fresh citrus and basil; and the Double Dragon Soup Bowl (for three to five) – Ketel One Vodka, Malibu, blue curacao, fresh citrus and pineapple.

A separate, more intimate and high-end cocktail bar will also launch inside the venue in the coming weeks, hidden behind the cold room and focusing on a slightly older demographic.

Ling Ling’s will open on Thursday.

The Sound Garden manager Davor Djuric. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

Music to your ears

ALSO kicking off in Fortitude Valley this week is The Sound Garden.

From Mantle Group Hospitality, behind Pig ’N’ Whistle pubs, Jimmy’s on the Mall and The Charming Squire, the huge multi-level, 770-capacity dining and entertainment venue will open next to The Fortitude Music Hall in Brunswick Street Mall.

Serving lunch and dinner daily, the relaxed, snack-style-cum-pub-inspired menu is built around an impressive wood fire, turning out everything from wood-fired beef in betel leaves and lemongrass pork skewers to wood-fired lamb and chicken pitas, chicken mignon and steak.

A trio of share platters are tipped to be popular, boasting maybe surf and turf or Greek-inspired eats; while other mains will include sausages and mash, fish and chips and pasta. There’ll also be the likes of pizza, burgers and wings.

Popular bottle-shop labels will dominate the wine list, which also includes six varieties available on tap.

As for cocktails, expect all your classics, alongside signatures with a musical theme – maybe a Pretty Fly for a Mai Tai or a Ginny Hendrix. With the venue to offer free live music nightly, the melodic references continue with the menus actually printed on recycled vinyl records.

The industrial-luxe space with bars upstairs and downstairs and a front balcony area overlooking the mall will also serve brunch on weekends.

Think grilled prawn tostada with mango and avo, breakfast gnocchi, steak and eggs or French toast, to name a few.

The Sound Garden will open from dinner time this Wednesday.

The art of food

They say food can be art, but chef-owner of East Brisbane’s The Wolfe restaurant Josue (Josh) Lopez and Brisbane artist Elizabeth Willingare taking the idea one step further.

The two have collaborated to create a quirky dining experience, showcasing Willing’s handmade artworks, including cutlery, plate ware, glasses and napkins paired with Lopez’s food.

“Each object is designed to re-choreograph the diner’s body and to challenge them to think about their meal in new ways,” says Willing.

“I hope this will be a unique, playful and contemplative experience for participants.”

Imagine bowls made from beeswax which come to the table lit, eucalyptus jelly balancing on a tipping plate or spanner crab consomme served in a bubble cup.

The experience will be available from February 18 as part of The Wolfe’s degustation menu.