Pavement Whispers: Volume 495 February 18
From news of a cocktail take over from one of the world’s best bars to Maroochydore’s new Italian-inspired wine bar, 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 …
Maybe Sammy at W Brisbane
A seasoned mixologist from one of the world’s best bars is set to shake some tins at W Brisbane’s Living Room Bar as part of the hotel’s Bar Swap Series. On Thursday February 27, Giorgio Gervasoni – venue manager of exceptional Sydney sip spot Maybe Sammy – will join Living Room Bar’s bar manager Francesco Sqaillacioti in showcasing four super-special cocktail creations. Giorgio will be mixing two stellar concoctions – the Check in (a gin-based highball cocktail that riffs on the classic Americano) and the Sauna Room (a vodka-based drink that is shaken sour-style to create a mix of fruity sweetness and tangy sourness). Francesco’s creations will include the umami-forward Greek Freak (Herradura Blanco, kalamata olives distillate, seaweed dry vermouth and capsicum vinegar) and Mango, another highball-style beverage crafted with vodka, lacto-fermented strawberries, sencha tea and mango soda. Both master mixologists will be pouring from 6:00 pm – entry is free!
Breeze of Italy
If it has been a minute since you’ve travelled north for a visit to Maroochydore, here’s a great excuse to plan a quick road trip. Last week, hospitality duo Bryan Gerlini and Izabela Ogonek opened intimate 30-seat wine bar Breeze of Italy on the ground floor of the Rise building on Sixth Avenue, giving locals a taste of top-notch European vino. Chef Bryan, whose resume includes stints at Brunetti in Melbourne and 10 William Street in Sydney, has assmebled a tight menu that includes the likes of chicken-liver bruschetta, prawn sliders, focaccia topped with mortadella, pecorino cream and pesto, salumi and formaggi sharing platters and delicious tiramisu. Izabela will be working the floor and talking guests through Breeze of Italy’s wine list, which includes reds, whites and bubbles from Italy, France and Spain, with 32 varieties available by the glass. Breeze of Italy is open Monday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to late – head to the bar’s Instagram for more info, or call 0405 567 831 to make a booking.
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Milquetoast degustation
Inner-city wine bar Milquetoast is teaming up with Italian winemaker and vermouth producer Scarpa for a one-off degustation event on Wednesday March 5. The evening will see vermouth connoisseur (and Maybe Sammy alumni) Claudio Bedini giving guests insight into the history and production processes of Scarpa, before being joined by importers Aldo and Fabio, as well as a special guest venturing to Brisbane all the way from Torino. A bespoke five-course dinner will include the likes of oysters with vermouth vinaigrette, cured scallops with house ricotta, lime and jalapeno koshu, chicken and shiitake mushroom ballotine with tomato and macadamia pesto, and a spiced curd tart with plum jam and ginger granita. Each dish will be paired with a matching beverage, including a vermouth, a cocktail and a special drop of Scarpa’s very own Barbera d’Asti. Tickets for the dinner event are available now for $150 per person. Dietaries can be catered for and a non-alcoholic pairing is also available – click here to reserve a spot.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].