Stan’s Lounge at Howard Smith Wharves will keep you coming back
How much would you pay for a cocktail? How about $150? That’s the price for two of the specialty shake-ups at one of the hottest new spots in Brisbane.
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How much would you pay for a cocktail? How about $150?
That’s the price for two of the specialty shake-ups at the new Stan’s Lounge at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane City.
This ultra slick new bar is actually a conversion of the old upstairs dining room at Cantonese restaurant Stanley, entered through a solid timber door next to the eatery’s entrance.
The space maintains its previous dark and moody vibe, with plush, velvety armchairs and banquettes, and most of the light coming from hand-sized lamps on the coffee tables scattered throughout.
New is a DJ booth with a vintage JBL sound system and shelves of vinyl records, with a DJ spinning smooth beats at a decibel level that’s ambient not deafening.
The place is packed with everyone from Gen Zs to baby boomers and after a small hiccup with being seated, the smiling and helpful staff soon find us a table along a cushion-lined banquette facing the glowing bar.
Signature cocktails, which are delivered exceedingly strong and with a nod to Asia through the ingredients, start at $24; while there’s also a signature martini menu, ranging in price from $24 for Belvedere to a hefty $96 for Chopin Family Reserve vodka.
But for the real big spenders, there are the “vintage and premium cocktails” coming in between $100-$150 featuring 50-year-old spirits.
There’s also a succinct wine curation with Champagne and mostly Australian vino, plus a small collection of beers, three from neighbouring Felons; and a lengthy spirits list.
While everyone around us is clearly here for the drinks, we’ve got our eyes on the snack menu developed by Stanley executive chef Louis Tikaram. But don’t think this is just a condensed version of the restaurant offering downstairs.
This is a new Cantonese-inspired menu running from Oscietra caviar on tapioca crisps and blinis with yuzu cream to 9+ wagyu with black pepper sauce, or the signature raw plate with oysters, kingfish, tuna, scallops and coral trout.
We’re concerned if our tiny table will hold all the food we order, but the confident staff assure us the dishes will be timed so we’re not juggling plates – and they’re right.
First to arrive is the southern rock lobster bun ($22). Packed with crustacean and delicately soft, but with enough texture from iceberg lettuce and the toasting the inside of the bread, this is out to give the ubiquitous lobster roll a run for its money this summer.
Next up is the painted tropical crayfish “san choy bao”. At $38 for what is barely bigger than a few bites, it’s certainly not cheap. But if money isn’t an issue, it’s more than worth it, with a generous dice of the crustacean tossed between petite cubes of water chestnut for crunch atop a perfectly crisp iceberg lettuce leaf.
Pan-fried pork and prawn dumplings ($20) continue the flavourful feast, with the quartet of firm and juicy parcels hidden below a sheet of dumpling lace made from water, flour and salt. They’re accompanied by a fermented chilli and white soy mixture that sits somewhere between a paste and a sauce, that packs a suitcase full of heat – leaving your lips and tongue tingling.
Much milder by comparison are the steamed lobster and truffle dumplings ($24).
The open, pastry-clad bundles burst with lobster beneath ribbons of grated truffle and a showering of caviar, which bring umami, earthiness and saltiness.
A duo of sand crab cigars aka crab spring rolls ($18) deliver further culinary delight and ample protein, but it’s the fresh take on prawn toast ($26) that provides the night’s most unexpected pleasure.
The hearty, shumai-shaped bites star a sesame seed crust enveloping soft, sweet prawn that’s only just cooked through, with a truffle mayo and salmon roe on top for a little bit of luxury. Outstanding!
Stan’s Lounge may be a place to grab a drink, but it’s the food that will be bringing me back.
Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St,
Brisbane City
3558 9418
stanslounge.com.au
Open
Mon-Thu 3pm-1am
Fri-Sun noon-1am
Must try
Prawn toast
Verdict
Food - 4.5
Ambience - 4
Value - 3.5
Service - 4
Overall - 4
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