Parklands Social

Want a bite of the Big Apple without boarding a plane? A brand-new New York-inspired deli and grill in Spring Hill might be just the ticket. Parklands Social at Mercure Brisbane Spring Hill on Wickham Terrace takes inspirational cues from New York’s storied neighbourhood institutions – think buzzing social clubs and lively corner delis – to deliver a concept that offers something for everyone from invigorating coffee in the mornings to raucous dinner with friends. The 200-sqm restaurant boasts an aesthetic shaped by Mel Porter Design and fit-out by UNITA, blending sophistication with casual approachability via deep green banquettes, black and brown-veined marble, brushed brass fixtures, bespoke joinery and warm timbers. In the kitchen, executive chef Matthew Glover is eschewing American cliches while still nailing a sense of authenticity. Parklands Social’s debut menu features the likes of pastrami Benedicts (with house-cured pastrami smoked over Australian ironbark), meatball parm subs, matzo ball dumplings in chicken broth, and New York strip with celeriac puree. For drinks, classic cocktails like the Manhattan and Spicy Vodgarita sit next to a wine list boasting both Australian and American labels.