Pavement Whispers: Volume 520 August 12
From news of a new cafe opening at Yeerongpilly Green to Great Northern’s flagship venue, 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 …
Figtree Social
Yeerongpilly Green will welcome a brand-new cafe into its midst later this month, with 60-seat brunch and coffee spot Figtree Social slated to open at the precinct on Monday August 25. The brainchild of TH Choo (Mitch & Antler) and chef Elizabeth Butler (formerly of Farmhouse Kedron), Figtree Social will offer a modern take on Australian cafe dining, serving what the team describes as ‘feel-good plates and quality brews’. Figtree Social’s menu will showcase a selection of stripped-back classics, many of which will utilise native-Australian ingredients – think avocado on toasted sourdough with finger lime, kangaroo pot pies and its own take on the iconic vanilla slice. The Figtree Social team will be pouring caffeine from Passport Specialty Coffee in Northgate, with these energising brews available alongside matcha- and hojicha-based beverages, and canned frappes. As we get closer to the warmer months, Figtree Social will also be dispensing coffee-infused soft-serve ice-cream. Keep your eyes peeled for an up-close look at Figtree Social when it opens later this month.
Northern Grounds
Great Northern – one of Australia’s most popular beer brands – is launching its first flagship venue on Sunshine Coast on Friday August 15. Taking over the former Waterfront Hotel in Diddillibah, Northern Grounds will offer Sunshine Coast suds sippers a prime waterfront location to knock back a few frosty frothies. The venue – designed by Cayas + Ward Architects and built by Herron Coorey – will look to capture the essence of a Queensland camping trip, with Northern Grounds offering open fires, familiar iconography, coal-cooked meals crafted with locally sourced produce. The full range of Great Northern beers will be on tap, alongside other local favourites like Balter, Green Beacon and Hard Rated, while the menu features Queensland-sourced meat and seafood given some smoky campfire cooking twists. Boasting a children’s play area and a soon-to-open event space called The Lodge, Northern Grounds is aiming to be more than just a pub – it’s positioning itself as a community friendly hub that celebrates mateship, simplicity and the outdoors.
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Rays by the Sea at Rays
It might be winter for a few more weeks, but the team at Rays by Range is calling it early with its summery event, Rays by the Sea. From August 15–17, the Camp Hill bar will be hosting a three-day seafood-focused event taking inspiration from the sun-soaked and salt-flecked vibes of a Mediterranean holiday. Over the weekend, guests can pop into Rays for a selection of lip-smacking limited-edition items, including Tasmanian sardines with salsa verde, pickled mussels on pan con tomate, Greek-style grilled octopus with lemon and oregano, and Moreton Bay bug rolls lathered with dill creme fraiche. The crew has concocted a must-try martini for the event (made using Never Never Gin) and will also be popping the cork on some bottled of champagne.
La Bodega Fortitude Valley
It’s been a whirlwind rise for La Bodega, the East Brisbane taqueria that’s become a cult favourite since opening in late 2023, drawing diners from across Southeast Queensland with its relaxed vibe and standout tacos. Now, co-owners Anna Brobjer and Tim Glasson are expanding across the river, taking over the former Alfred E. Griffiths Service Station on Wickham Terrace in Fortitude Valley to open a larger second venue. Designed to cater to both walk-ins and group bookings, the new space will feature a refreshed interior, a spacious alfresco area and a new menu (plus expanded range of cocktails) while keeping the same laid-back charm. For Anna and Tim, it’s all about creating a welcoming space with “good food, good drinks, good times – nothing else really matters.” La Bodega will open in Fortitude Valley this October – read more here.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].