Pavement Whispers: Volume 496 February 25

Feb 25, 2025, updated Feb 25, 2025

From news of Portside’s new Korean barbecue and steakhouse to a super-secret supper club, 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 …

Marble Korean Steakhouse
If you thought the team at Portside Wharf was done with hot-to-trot new restaurant openings, you are mistaken. Next month, a new eatery will offer diners a high-end take on Korean barbecue, with Marble Korean Steakhouse targeting a March opening. Mixing the sophistication of a modern steakhouse with the buzzing energy of Seoul, Marble Korean Steakhouse will boast a modern-industrial interior aesthetic (built by Lowry Group), with mood lighting setting the scene for what we hear will be a one-of-a-kind grilling experience. Operated by Vanessa Devine and her chef-husband Simon Kang, the duo is investing in top-of-the-line equipment, including cutting-edge smokeless grills (imported directly from Japan) that remove the smoky haze, while staff are also on hand to assist with table-side grilling. When it comes to the all-important protein, Marble Korean Steakhouse will be serving premium cuts of high-grade meat served with Michelin-calibre precision, while the rest of the menu will take cues from traditional Korean cuisine – think colourful side dishes, pickled vegetables and house-made sauces. The restaurant also will also boast its own cocktail bar and will be serving a specialised wine flight program with a collection of 75-ml pours curated to match specific cuts of meat. Stay tuned for more on Marble Korean Steakhouse when it opens to the public next month.

Zosia Cooks Secret Supper Club
NOTE: The Zosia Cooks Secret Supper Club has sold out – stay tuned for more event announcements!
After hosting a number of events in Sydney and overseas, Zosia Orkisz aka Zosia Cooks – a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with a penchant for imaginative cooking – is bringing her beloved Secret Supper Club back to Brisbane for one night only. On Sunday March 16, 30 guests will gather at a secret location for a playful five-course dinner, with Zosia drawing upon on her Polish heritage and background in design to create a culinary experience brimming with creativity. The location of the dinner will be revealed to guests 48 hours before the event – all that can be revealed is that the space and experience will be designed around longing for simpler times, something we all lived through. Tickets for Zosia Cooks’ Secret Supper Club are available for $120 per person and include the five-course menu and a drink on arrival. An optional wine pairing is also available to add on for $60 – head to the Zosia Cooks website for more details.

B-Side Brunch at Botany
Lively Newstead nosh spot Botany is set to put a bit of oomph back into brunch. On Saturday April 5, the bar and eatery will host the first edition of its B-Side Brunch – a bold morning bash that’s all about good food, refreshing cocktails and killer beats. From 10:00 am, Botany will turn up the volume as live DJs craft a sensational atmosphere for sipping, snacking and mingling. Guests will receive two complimentary cocktails upon arrival, before sitting down to a mouth-watering brunch menu designed to satisfy cravings. The B-Side Brunch playlist will feature everything from iconic 90s bangers to today’s top hits, with a dance floor ready and waiting for guests to cut loose between bites. Seats to Botany’s B-Side Brunch are available for $45 a head – nab a ticket here.

Fried chicken and free* wine at ESSA
Fried chicken and fine wine might make for strange culinary bedfellows to some, but not the team at ESSA. The Robertson Street fine diner is pairing the two for its new monthly hang, which is taking place on the first Saturday of the month from Saturday March 1. Between 12:00–4:00 pm, ESSA will be slinging serves of crispy fried chicken (and caviar, if you’re feeling fancy) alongside free wine tastings, with budget-friendly wines also available by the glass. While bookings aren’t essential, we recommend making one just to make sure you don’t miss out. Click here to secure a seat.

If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].