Mobile fine dining restaurant Da Biuso set to hit the road

A Queensland hospitality family has converted an old bus into a glamorous fine dining restaurant, complete with a cocktail bar.

Queensland’s first fine dining restaurant on wheels will hit the road at the beginning of next month with the launch of Da Biuso.

The stunningly converted vehicle is the year-long dream of hospitality family the Biusos (ex-Marina Paradiso in Cairns and Casa Nostra in Fortitude Valley), who worked with Van Demons Vans in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge to transform a plain 12.5m passenger bus into a glamorous mobile culinary hotspot.

Sarah and Biagio Biuso alongside their new fine dining restaurant in a converted bus, Da Biuso, parked at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Built to represent a classic European tram, the restaurant features seating for 12, pressed metal ceilings with timber detailing, a wine cabinet, cocktail bar, full commercial kitchen and even its own hidden bathroom.

“It really has come to life and is what we hoped and planned for,” co-owner Sarah Biuso says.

“It took a bit longer, but as they say, good things are worth waiting for.”

Sarah’s husband Biagio and son Joseph will be in charge of the upmarket food offering, with either a shorter or longer degustation menu ($170pp or $210pp) available based on contemp­orary Mediterranean fare with plenty of seafood, as well as ­influences from Biagio’s homeland of Italy.

That might mean the likes of oysters with sea foam and watermelon granita, or duck-filled pasta, or Biagio’s signature dish of scampi with prosecco and Aperol and orange gels, with dishes due to change seasonally.

Inside the new mobile bus restaurant, Da Biuso. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Meanwhile, Sarah will be in charge of the ever-evolving drinks compendium, with a 30-bottle list of all Italian wines that can be paired with the degustations or simply enjoyed on their own, alongside a classic cocktail offering. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner Friday to Monday, and will also be available for exclusive functions for up to 12 guests at people’s homes or private properties.

While the restaurant’s mobile nature means it can go anywhere, it will start at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot, as the family continues to work with local councils on extending its location base.

Da Biuso will kick off the first weekend of March.