Pavement Whispers: Volume 505 April 29
From news of Cloudland’s shimmering new cocktail and music lounge to a three-night collab at Elementi, 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 …
Palais
Cloudland’s newest evolution is giving guests the chance to go from dinner to drinks and dancing without having to change destinations. Palais, the late-night playground’s brand-new mezzanine-level haunt is an elegant escape offering live music and seductive cocktails. An Art Deco-inspired lounge – boasting timber panelling, plush furnishings and warm marble accents – orbits an eye-catching circular bar, adorned with thousands of glittering crystal spheres. From this bar flows an incredible list of luxe libations, from signatures like the Ruby Rendezvous (bourbon, dark chocolate, black walnut and beetroot, finished with a gold-leaf-coated beetroot chip) to the the Mandarin Paloma – a twist on a classic garnished with grapefruit flowers and salt. If music is an essential part of your night out, Palais’ bespoke circular DJ booth will feature an eclectic line-up of resident DJs and touring acts spinning playlists featuring disco, funk, soul, jazz, house and rare groove, as well as deep cuts and underground selections. Palais is now open from Thursday to Sunday – get all the details here.
Enzo Ninivaggi at Elementi
One of Brisbane’s best pizza spots is hosting a three-night collaborative pop-up featuring the talents of a chef with Michelin-starred bona fides. Italian-born Enzo Ninivaggi – previously head chef of Color Hotel in Lake Garda and former executive chef of Auchenflower’s Deer Duck Bistro – will be teaming up with Elementi’s Stefano Spataro from May 20–22 to offer diners a sumptuous seven-course set menu. The offering will be filled with a number of Italian delicacies, all shaped and inspired by the memories and palates of the two chefs. The menu will feature the likes of roasted octopus with stracciatella, red-pepper emulsion and rocket oil, swordfish with panzanella, lemon emulsion and capers, handmade caprese ravioli stuffed with ricotta and beef cheeks, and lamb shoulder braised in Italian red wine with market vegetables and white balsamic gel. Bookings are available now, with seats going for $149 per person (drinks not included). Head to Elementi’s website to secure your spot now.
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Marco Pierre White at HOTA
Following his sold-out 2023 appearance, legendary British chef Marco Pierre White is returning to Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA) from June 5–7 for another immersive culinary residency celebrating food as both art and theatre. Highlights will include everything from intimate dinners and open-air masterclasses to a star-studded grand finale featuring top local chefs. The program opens with an in-depth Q&A alongside HOTA executive chef Dayan Hartill-Law, followed by a live outdoor masterclass and an intimate five-course dinner for just 30 guests atop the HOTA Gallery. Also returning is the popular Palette x Marco Pierre White dinner, which will offer guests a sumptuous selection of seasonal dishes and some personal storytelling. The residency culminates in a collaborative outdoor feast under the stars, where Marco and a number of acclaimed regional chefs will present a multi-course menu paired with award-winning drinks. Described by White as a celebration of passion, experience and unforgettable moments, the residency cements itself as a must-attend highlight of the winter events calendar. Click here to get the full scoop.
Lord Stanley Hotel
Another long-running pub is unveiling the fruits of a labour-intensive renovation process, with East Brisbane’s Lord Stanley Hotel set to reopen on Friday May 9 after a substantial 12-month refurb. More than $15 million has been invested in restoring the iconic landmark, which has been standing since 1889, with the team meshing history and hospitality to create the ultimate local pub experience. The works have added a number of new and refreshed elements to Lord Stanley Hotel’s suite of amenities, including a new-look tropical beer garden (boasting a 5-m-high pandanus tree and massive 200″ LED TV), a brand-new menu (featuring premium steaks, burgers, pizzas, award-winning schnitzels and a range of vegan-friendly eats), a retooled first-floor function space and bar (equipped with a spacious deck with views of the Gabba) and an air-conditioned kids’ playground, complete with bean bags, gaming consoles and soft-fall grass. Stay tuned for an up-close look at Lord Stanley Hotel’s makeover later this month!
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].