Later this year, a brand-new rooftop restaurant and bar is set to make its mark on Fortitude Valley. TABOO – the newest concept from the crew behind chic Pan-Asian restaurant Mr Vain – will take diners on a sensory journey, enthralling and enrapturing with an immersive experience that combines sight, sound, taste, touch and scent. Here’s what we know …
UPDATE: During Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, TABOO sustained significant wind and water damage to its still in-progress fit-out, which means the venue’s opening date has been set back by approximately four-to-eight weeks. In order to keep its kitchen and floor teams employed during the delay, the TABOO crew is launching a brand-new pop-up cafe in Bey Lane at the base of The Constance Hotel called Just for Now. Get more information here.
For hospitality veteran Dilan Ildes, opening a restaurant is about more than just food. “It’s about building an experience that leaves a lasting impression,” the restaurateur tell us.
Perhaps that’s why the Dilan’s laneway restaurant Mr. Vain has been such a success. Serving punchy Pan-Asian cuisine in a chic setting inspired by the haute couture heyday of the 1990s, Mr. Vain is proof that Dilan’s dual-focus ethos has merit. And with his follow-up venue, he’s looking to remove any lingering doubts.
TABOO, a rooftop restaurant and bar perched at the top of The Constance Hotel in Fortitude Valley, is Dilan’s love letter to tantalising Thai flavours. Rooted in tradition, yet determined to walk its own path, TABOO will showcase Thai cuisine through a modern lens. Opening later this month, the eatery will see Dilan and his team upping the ante (literally), delivering a concept they hope will match and further the city’s evolutionary trajectory.
“Brisbane’s dining scene is evolving and our goal is to deliver world-class concepts that consistently elevate Brisbane’s dining landscape – and this is just the beginning,” says Dilan. “Every detail of TABOO, from the flavours to the atmosphere, has been thoughtfully curated to be unforgettable. At the heart of it all is genuine hospitality, where exceptional service makes every guest feel valued.”
The crew has teamed up with MarketPartner on TABOO’s concept design and execution, crafting an energetic and soulful personality, while honing in on a vibe that is refined yet inviting. TABOO’s rooftop space will be a polished monochrome-green sanctuary – breezy and bright by day and moodily atmospheric at night. Renders give a glimpse at the end result, with cushy banquettes and moss-green stools juxtaposed against dark timber furnishings and textured walls.
Thai cuisine will be the focus of TABOO’s kitchen, with a flavour-forward offering designed to be shared encompassing seafood, curries and market-style street eats. On the drinks front, expect a curated beverage program that has been designed to complement the menu. We’re talking cocktails with fresh ingredients and unexpected twists, and a robust wine list weighing in at more than 100 hand-picked bottles, spanning classic varieties and new-wave drops (including a clutch of effervescent pet nat wines).
As The Valley continues to evolve into a hub for top-tier dining and after-dark action, Dilan believes TABOO will be a welcome addition to the entertainment precinct’s nightlife.
“We’ve been incredibly humbled by Brisbane’s love for Mr. Vain, and with TABOO we’re bringing something entirely new to the city,” says Dilan.
TABOO is opening later this year – head to the restaurant’s website to join the waitlist and receive early access to bookings and updates.