Juju Dining to shake up Sunnybank’s restaurant scene

It’s one of the best-known suburbs for low-cost eats and terrific Asian fare in Brisbane, but now, this southside culinary hotspot is set to see a new style of dining launch. Find out when and where it will open.

Brisbane’s Sunny­bank is a thriving hub of low-cost eats and terrific Asian fare, but a first-time restaurateur is set to shake things up, bringing fine dining to the southside suburb.

Jacky Cao, who has lived in the area for 20 years, was sick of travelling into the CBD every time he wanted a sophisticated meal, so decided to ditch his career in insurance and set about opening his own restaurant.

Juju Dining will launch at 223 Calam Rd, Sunnybank Hills, offering a casual fine dining experience with a focus on top-notch service and elevated share plates. “It will be approachable and ­comfortable and something you could eat two or three times a week, but with a high attention to detail,” Cao said.

Cao has secured former Long Apron, Maleny chef Andrew Birse to run the kitchen, delivering the flavours of East Asia ­presented with modernity.

“I want to bring that level of special to suburban dining, but still approachable,” Birse said.

Chef Andrew Birse and owner Jacky Cao at Juju Dining in Sunnybank, which is due to open in August. Picture: Richard Walker

In doing so, the menu will focus on using sustainable, locally sourced produce with minimal impact on the environment.

Exact dishes are still to be developed, but they’ll be complemented by a 30-40 bottle wine list, with a penchant for riesling and whites from the likes of Germany, Austria, Australia and New Zealand.

About 20 artisan whiskies and gins will be available, alongside a small cocktail offering of about 10 to 12 that will change seasonally and pair with the food.

The decor at the 70-seater aims to be just as refined, with local designers PDMG Studio creating a minimal, industrial-chic look with polished concrete floors, touches of timber, soft curtaining and dramatic lighting fitted by ENP Fitouts.

“I feel like I can bring more refined choices to the people here and the younger demographic here are really yearning for something like this,” Cao said.

What will really set the venue apart, however, will be the service, the restaurateur insisted.

“We’re taking a casual but ­detailed approach to service,” he said. “Not too intrusive, not snobbish … I want to make sure the service is on point.”

Juju Dining is aiming to open mid-August.