Pavement Whispers: Volume 528 October 7
From a new rooftop bar in The Valley to the location of Death & Co’s Brisbane outpost, 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 …
Above Rooftop
Opening Friday October 17 atop Ovolo The Valley, Above Rooftop is set to bring a fresh dose of Mediterranean-meets-Australia flair to Brisbane’s bar scene. With a sun-drenched, Euro-inspired vibe complete with cocktails, share-style mezze, poolside lounging, the venue promises a relaxed yet elevated experience. Designed by BSPN Architects, the 60-seat venue is inspired by the rooftop bars of Beirut and the Levantine coastline, with an aesthetic that mixes textures, plants and tiled details. On the food front, renowned chef Justin North, alongside head chef Kya Knights, will deliver an Australian-Mediterranean menu built for grazing – think stone-baked pita, kingfish ceviche, and bold vegetable-forward dips. The drinks list, curated by award-winning mixologist Jake Down, features vibrant, Middle Eastern-influenced cocktails made with native ingredients like desert lime, lemon myrtle and pistachio. Some of the highlights are set to be the rooftop slushies and a signature passionfruit, rose water and desert-lime soda concoction. Above Rooftop will open Wednesday to Sunday and feature live entertainment four nights a week alongside a soundtrack of Ibiza-style house beats. With its mix of music, mezze and mixology, Above Rooftop is looking to channel the Mediterranean coast without leaving Fortitude Valley. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on this new arrival in the coming weeks.
Lune Croissanterie
The start of a new month means that famed croissant maker Lune has a suite of new monthly specials on deck. But this month marks a bit of a departure from the usual format for Lune, which is going back to its roots with October’s limited-edition offering. On the first Thursday of every month, Lune will announce three monthly specials available across all of its locations. This month, pastry lovers will be able to devour a Tim Tam-inspired pain au chocolat, a harissa and goats cheese escargot, and the Jelly Slice – a decadent number boasting a croissant pastry pudding filled with raspberry gel, Marie biscuit frangipane and salted condensed milk. In addition to the three nationwide specials, Lune will also be serving experimental goodies created by members of the Lune family. These treats will be unique to their location and will not be advertised, so you’ll have to visit Lune’s South Brisbane or Burnett Lane outposts to discover what’s on offer.
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Death & Co. Brisbane
World-renowned cocktail institution Death & Co is set to make its long-awaited Australian debut, with new bars slated for Melbourne and Brisbane in partnership with hospitality heavyweight Australian Venue Co. Known for its genre-defining venues in New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Washington D.C., Death & Co will open in Melbourne this November, with Brisbane to follow later in the summer. The Brisbane outpost is currently taking shape beneath the historic Regatta Hotel in Toowong, in the former Walrus Club speakeasy space. To ensure the brand’s signature precision and service are upheld, local venue and bar managers have undergone intensive training in the U.S. Once open, the bar will serve its globally loved classics – like the Naked & Famous and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned – alongside new creations tailored to the local palate. Get all of the details here.
Eclair at the Bay
What began as a pandemic-era home delivery and market stall operation has grown into a beloved patisserie, and now Eclair at the Bay is preparing for its biggest leap yet. Founded by Michelin-trained pastry chef Pavel Stolarsky and partner Mary Martin, the cult-favourite Byron Bay patisserie earned acclaim for its modern take on choux pastry, amassing a loyal following through behind-the-scenes videos and word-of-mouth praise. Five years on, the duo is set to open a flagship store in Brisbane’s Newstead early next year, taking over the former Cake & Bake site on Commercial Road. The new location will feature a production kitchen and retail space offering the brand’s signature eclairs, tarts, mousse cakes and croquembouches, alongside seasonal and bespoke creations. While the move means closing their Byron Bay store, fans will have one last chance to indulge during a Farewell Weekend on November 29–30. Click here for more info.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].