Kitchen Confidential: What’s new for Qld food scene in 2019

Queensland foodies will be spoilt for choice with a slew of new venues opening this year — including Brisbane’s first micro-winery.

IF YOU thought 2018 was a big year for the food scene in Queensland, just wait for 2019.

Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley will see a boom in eateries and bars, starting with the launch of the anticipated City Winery — Brisbane’s first micro-winery — taking over the old Campos Coffee site on Wandoo St.

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The venue from Dave Cush and Adam Penberthy will include a winery, barrel room, cellar, private dining room and 70-seater restaurant fronted by former The Barrelroom, Ballandean chef Travis Crane, who will roll out a fire-powered menu.

A fork toss away in Ann St’s Bakery Lane will come Joy from hospitality vets Tim and Sarah Scott (ex-Sepia, Automata and Sixpenny, Sydney). The 10-seater restaurant will be an extremely intimate affair, serving Japanese-inspired fare with local Australian ingredients prepared with Scandinavian techniques. It’s due to open February or March.

The newly renamed Ovolo hotel in Fortitude Valley’s Emporium complex, will also launch a new food and beverage offering this year under the watchful eye of acclaimed consulting chef Justin North.

Alanna Sapwell, head chef at the new ARC wine bar at Howard Smith Wharves. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

After a rough 2018, former Valley favourite Alfred & Constance is also set to undergo a massive transformation after being bought by the RMS Group late last year. The hospo group wants to bring the old Queenslander restaurant and bar back to its heyday, with a renovation and new focus planned.

The Mantle Group (Pig ’N’ Whistle, The Charming Squire, Jimmy’s on the Mall, etc) plan to win over Fortitude Valley live music fans with their new brand The Sound Garden — an epic new entertainment and food venue due to open around June in Brunswick St Mall.

While there are whispers the Moubment Group, behind Gerard’s Bistro, Gerard’s Bar, Laruche and Tso Lounge & Dining, may be planning another Valley venture.

And speaking of Gerard’s, former head chef, the acclaimed Ben Williamson will launch his first stand-alone venture. While he’s keeping mum on exactly where and what it will be, he says it will offer share plates with “bold flavours and textures” and is due to kick off mid-year.

Staying in Brisbane, West End’s new West Village will continue to expand with new eateries and a Woolworths planned for the site. While a tomato toss away at South Bank, the $600 million Emporium Hotel is finally set to unveil their new signature restaurant, in place of their previously planned Opal.

A fish dish from one of the new restaurants at the new-look Daydream Island, due to open in April

Unquestionably one of the most exciting openings of last year was the impressive Howard Smith Wharves precinct along the Brisbane River underneath the Story Bridge. And the unveilings will keep coming at the 3.4ha dining and entertainment site this year.

Alongside existing new restaurants Mr Percivals, Greca and Felons Brewery, will launch ARC Dining & Wine Bar (delayed by building issues) fronted by acclaimed chef Alanna Sapwell (ex-Saint Peter, Sydney) with wine by former award-winning Aria sommelier Ian Trinkle. New Hong Kong-inspired eatery Stanley from Brisbane restaurateurs Andrew and Jaimee Baturo (Libertine, Walter’s Steakhouse, The Gresham), and Japanese venture Toko Brisbane from Sydney restaurateur Matt Yazbek will also make their debut, with all three expect to pop up within the next two months.

Also launching in the city in January is what’s set to be the CBD’s most lavish food court, Harvest on Queen at 480 Queen St. From the team behind Hellcat Maggie, the whopping 800sq m site will operate as a quality food hall serving multiple cuisines from the one kitchen. Think everything from steak and burgers to Asian stir-fries, juice and coffee stations, grab-and-go offerings and a European-style bar.

And IKU Noodle — a Subway-style noodle bar concept — will be among a number of new food ventures launching at the new Brisbane Quarter complex on George St in the CBD.

At Everton Park in Brisbane’s north, the foodie precinct Everton Plaza is finally set to kick off around April after months of delays, with 5 Boroughs, Corbett & Claude, ­Comuna Cantina, Stellarossa and Neighbourhood ­Market Co. all going into the multi-level site with a rooftop deck.

The Flynn hotel will bring three eateries to Cairns toward the end of the year.

On the Sunshine Coast, the Mooloolaba Wharf development will continue to become a must-visit for foodies with six new eateries due to debut this year alongside recently opened venues such as Il Vento, El Bigiton and Ninth Street. One of the new tenants is also set to be a first of its kind concept for the site.

In the north, Daydream Island has had a monster year of redevelopment and in April will finally unveil its new look and three new restaurants: Graze Interactive Dining, Infinity and Inkstone Kitchen & Bar.

Continuing to the tip of the state, Crystalbrook Collection is set to reveal two more hotels in Cairns after their launch of Riley late last year, with each boasting new restaurants.

Hotel Bailey is due to open mid this year with CC’s Bar and Grill, Milk Bar and Colada.

Flynn will be welcomed at the end of the year, bringing three eateries: Boardwalk Social, Flynn’s as well as Whisky and Wine.

As you can see, 2019 is set to be a monster year and we’ll bring you all the news on these openings and more first.