Tassis Group to reimagine the former City Winery site into new modern-Asian venue, Aunty
Later this year, Brisbane’s most active restaurateur Michael Tassis will open his 12th venue, Aunty, over in Fortitude Valley. Housed in the former City Winery site on Wandoo Street, the restaurant and bar will serve a refined take on modern-Asian cuisine in a chic converted warehouse setting. Here’s what we know …
Michael Tassis is a man of many talents, but his most bankable skill by far is location hunting.
Michael’s ever-expanding hospitality empire Tassis Group has been built on the back of the restaurateur’s ability to snap up top spots wherever they appear – be they enviable waterfront positions on Eagle Street, choice digs at The Star Brisbane or character-filled spaces at West Village. Where necessary, Michael has even built venues where none existed previously, like down a 3-m-wide alleyway or, say, on top of a bridge.
Aunty, Tassis Group’s soon-to-open 12th venue, sees Michael once again snagging a plum piece of real estate. This time, he’s taking over the old City Winery site on Wandoo Street, which is set to be transformed into an elevated 130-seat restaurant and bar offering a modern take on Asian cuisine.
Michael is no stranger to the James Street precinct. Just last year he reopened his high-end steakhouse Fatcow in the old home of David Jones, a short distance (as the crow flies) from Aunty’s new warehouse-style abode, which has been vacant since City Winery entered voluntary liquidation in September 2024. Positioned close to venues like SK Steak & Oyster, Biànca and ēmmē, Aunty is looking to nudge the boundaries of Brisbane’s glitzy dining hub a little bit further outward.
“I know the area well and I thought it was just a great opportunity,” says Michael of the site. “It’s an incredible venue – it’s got almost 450-sqm of space, so I figured there’s a lot of potential with that warehouse feel. If we put some creativity behind it, we could come up with something special. There are a lot of good things happening [on James Street] and we just want to make sure that we contribute to that precinct.”
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When it comes to crafting concepts, Michael follows a site-responsive methodology, assessing the venue’s internals for inspiration while also gauging the appetites of the local area. Is there something missing? Something people want more of?
At Aunty, Michael will look to apply lessons learned at his Hong Kong-inspired standout, Longwang. In the kitchen, head chef Salvatore de Ponte (previously sous chef at Fatcow) will oversee a menu broadly described as modern Asian in scope. Like with most Tassis venues, live seafood will star alongside quality proteins.
“I’ve learnt a lot from Longwang – that gave me a lot of experience and taught me how you can do a lot of different things with Asian cuisine. [Aunty] will be completely different to Longwang – more refined, with a short and sweet menu delivered well with clean plating.”
On the drinks front, group beverage manager Ben Rolfe will be assembling a wine list filled with drops perfect for matching Asian flavours – think plenty of crisp whites and French champagnes. A tidy cocktail list will also take cues from the kitchen, incorporating a range of ingredients in order to complement the fare.
While aiming to land a notch higher in terms of execution, Tassis Group will underscore Aunty’s dining experience with a sense of vivacity. We’re told that the restaurant will boast a high-spirited personality, with a design and brand identity (crafted by regular collaborators Clui Design and Allo Creative) that Michael summarises as minimalistic but elegant.
“She’s the fun aunty – creative and cool, and has got that James Street vibe,” explains Michael.
The venue’s fit-out is set to commence soon, with the team extending the venue to include a lounge area at the front with its own bar and dedicated snack menu. The main restaurant area will be accessed via an entry to the right-hand side, with guests bypassing the lounge, a wine cellar and private-dining room before emerging into an elevated space overseen by an open kitchen.
With James Street poised to continue growing in the coming years, Michael believes Aunty has all of the characteristics required to become a hidden gem that diners can discover just off the beaten track.
“When you’re on the riverfront you’re a bit more exposed,” says Michael. “The types of venues where people have to find you, I think – if you deliver on the main elements – are pretty cool.”
“There are a lot of new neighbours [on Wandoo Street] – there’s a high-rise just opposite here and a lot of new tenants coming into the precinct. It’s a really exciting time to join this strip in particular.”
Aunty will be opening in the back end of 2025. Keep your eyes peeled for more info in the coming months.