Pavement Whispers: Volume 517 July 22
From news of an after-dark evolution for one of New Farm’s best cafes to details on a new Korean-inspired degustation restaurant, 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 …
Bobby’s Wine Bar & Espresso
A cherished New Farm cafe is set to undergo an exciting metamorphosis, with Joedy’s Cafe on Sydney Street transforming into Bobby’s Wine Bar & Espresso next month. Spying the gap in the market for more locals-oriented nighttime destinations, owner Joedy Kyle is acting on long-held plans to diversify his venue’s offering, applying his sensibilities to a post-sunset concept in addition to his existing daytime fare. “When we’ve tried to do after-hours stuff, people still assume it’s a cafe, not somewhere you go and drink,” says Joedy. “I’m looking at it more as a branding evolution – shaking it up a little bit and introducing new concepts, piggybacking off the success of Joedy’s.” Work will soon commence on a retrofit of the space, with Joedy exchanging the cafe’s signature green-heavy colour scheme for a colour palette of white, grey and pinot noir red. The coffee counter will morph into a bar area, complete with newly installed wine racks, while custom furniture will replace the existing fixtures and upgrade seating capacity to approximately 86 guests. “When people walk in, they’ll recognise that it was Joedy’s, but with a fresh lick of paint and some cosmetic changes to make it more inviting for the evening trade,” says Joedy.
On the food front, the nighttime menu at Bobby’s will feature a selection of hot and cold share-style tapas, changing every few months to reflect the seasons. “We’re modern Australian and modern-Australian food has Asian influence,” say Joedy. “We’re going to have some Southeast Asian-inspired dishes with a little bit of a European twist on them.” Expect the likes of cheese and charcuterie boards, Coffin Bay oysters with yuzu vinaigrette, kingfish ceviche with wasabi emulsion, prawn spring rolls with kimchi mayo, charcoal octopus skewers with whipped roe, crispy pork-belly baos and tempura Moreton Bay bug bites with yuzu kosho mayo. Wine will also be a major focus of the nighttime offering. Joedy is sourcing some incredible gear from boutique Australian wineries, favouring biodynamic drops made with a focus on sustainability, with a list totalling around 48 options including a few top-shelf drops available by Coravin. Cocktails will also be on offer, including a Thai-style Bloody Mary infused with fish sauce. Joedy is targeting an official unveiling of Bobby’s in mid-to-late August – stay tuned for more on that soon!
You might like
SUUM
Andy Choi’s unconventional culinary journey has taken him from Korea to some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants, driven by a self-taught passion for cooking and an insatiable desire to learn. After stints at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and Barcelona’s Disfrutar, Andy is bringing his prodigious talents to Brisbane. This September, Andy will open SUUM – a 16-seat omakase restaurant on Charlotte Street blending traditional Korean cuisine with molecular gastronomy. Designed to feel like a cave, the intimate space will feature a minimalistic, industrial aesthetic and a seasonal 16–20 course menu introducing diners to lesser-known Korean dishes. Expect signatures like chestnut soup with truffle and bibimbap wrapped in charred sirloin, alongside a beverage program that includes Korean sake, wine and house-made makgeolli. SUUM is set to soft launch in late August and officially open in early September – click here to read all about Andy’s journey so far.
Dimmies & Tinnies at Cordeaux Social Club
If you’ve spent a decent amount of time in the Coles freezer aisle lately, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the name Dimmies & Tinnies. The Melbourne-born dim sim brand, founded by chef Paul Donnelly, hospitality figure Eddy Buckingham, broadcast legend Andy Lee and acclaimed potter Sam Gordon, pays tribute to the Australian icon, which is available in spicy pork and chicken and corn flavours. To celebrate the nationwide roll-out of the brand, the Dimmies & Tinnies crew has linked up with the team at West End’s Cordeaux Social Club and party starters Bar Technicality to throw a bash this Saturday July 26. Guests are encouraged to roll through from 3:00 pm, when the Cordeaux team will be slinging free serves of Dimmies & Tinnies dim sims. Range Brewing tins will also be available over the bar, while the Bar Technicality trio will spin tracks from afternoon until evening.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].