Pavement Whispers: Volume 489 December 17
From news of a contemporary Cantonese restaurant at The Star Brisbane to a collaborative spirit from Brisbane’s newest distillery, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest food news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …
HUĀ
Just because Christmas is next week doesn’t mean the blockbuster openings stop. This Wednesday December 18, The Star Brisbane will celebrate the official opening of HUĀ – a Cantonese-inspired restaurant that is looking to showcase a contemporary take on long-held culinary traditions. Joining the likes of Azteca, Lúc Lắc, Dark Shepherd and Black Hide Steak & Seafood as a resident of The Terrace, HUĀ will be embracing eco-conscious principles across its house-made yum-cha and banquet menus, which have been fashioned by head chef Ling Lee – a 77-year-old maestro with more than 60 years of experience cooking at the likes of Flower Drum, Silk Crown and Sun Kitchen. Ling Lee will be utilising wild-caught seafood, free-range meats and organic vegetables across the offering, with stand-out options including prawn-and-chive dumplings, deep-fried duck rolls with black truffle, pan-fried kimchi lamb dumplings, stir-fried scallop with XO chilli sauce and e-fu noodles, and diced eye fillet with black pepper sauce. HUĀ will boast a diverse beverage menu, headlined by classic, premium and signature cocktails, local craft and imported beers, and wines by the glass. The restaurant’s interior, featuring intricate stonework and olive-green furnishings, was built by UNITA. Stay tuned for an up-close look at HUĀ later this week.
Ari Ari Korean BBQ
It’s a great time to be a fan of Korean barbecue. Last Friday December 13, Ari Ari Korean BBQ opened a brand-new location on Elizabeth Street in The City. This is the brand’s second Brisbane location after its flagship restaurant at Westfield Mt Gravatt and will boast a few differences that will be of interest to night owls. Ari Ari Korean BBQ will offer late-night dining until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays (regular trading will run until 11:00 pm on other days), which means you can get a fix of Korean staples like kimchi pancakes, tteokbokki and fried dumplings, as well as sizzling serves of charcoal-barbecued wagyu, pork belly and ox tongue. Ari Ari is also introducing a pocha menu, featuring street foods like boiled pork slices, steamed clams with pasta and fishcake soup. Head to the Ari Ari Korean BBQ website to check out the menu and to make a booking.
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BY.ARTISANS x Lone Pine Gin
The brains behind Brisbane’s chic new distillery BY.ARTISANS is wasting little time in making its mark on the spirits scene. Mere weeks after launching its West End headquarters, BY.ARTISANS is unveiling its first collaborative spirit – a eucalyptus-infused gin made in conjunction with the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Eucalyptus Gin looks to benefit the world on two fronts. First, the team salvages excess eucalyptus – which is typically turned into compost – and uses a state-of-the-art still to capture the botanical essence for infusion, alongside lemon myrtle and cinnamon myrtle. What results is a balanced sip that boasts a herbaceous citrus and floral character. Second, five percent of the spirit’s sales will be donated to registered wildlife charities and research groups focused on koala studies and wildlife conservation. If you think this gin would make for a great stocking stuffer this Christmas, nab a bottle from BY.ARTISANS’ flagship store on Jane Street.
Harvest Newrybar
In sad news for long-time fans of Harvest in Newrybar, the much loved restaurant, deli and bakery has closed its doors for good. In an announcement posted to social media yesterday, Harvest’s ownership team confirmed that the venue had ceased trading on Friday December 13, citing rising costs and compliance pressures as key factors that led to the difficult decision to shutter. Throughout its lifespan, Harvest earned a reputation as a non-negotiable must-do when in the Byron Bay region, thanks to its farm-to-table approach to cooking and its inventive use of produce from local artisans, Harvest’s own gardens, and foraged native and wild ingredients from the local area.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].