Pavement Whispers: Volume 533 November 11
From word of two new drink-in wine shops to an artisanal gelateria offering out-of-this-world scoops, 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 …
Rhone
Since opening just under a year ago, Grape & Grazing has become one of New Farm’s most beloved vino joints. The brainchild of mother-son duo Rowena Wilkinson and Oliver Summons has evolved considerably over the past 12 months, beginning life as a European-style eatery and wine bar, and part gourmet providore before streamlining its offering to cater to more dine-in custom. Before the year’s end, the duo will expand their footprint at the leafy end of Merthyr Road with two new concepts in the coming weeks. Opening in a few week’s time is Grape & Grazing’s providore, a one-stop-shop stocking a thoughtfully curated assortment of gourmet goodies – think high-end corner store hawking everything from cheese, charcuterie and chocolate to pre-cooked meals whipped up by Grape & Grazing’s chefs.
Following hot on the providore’s heels will be Rhone, a wine merchant and bar taking shape right next door to Grape & Grazing. Designed by Woodsters, Rhone’s moody black-and-white fit-out will blend French-inspired elegance with versatility, with the space equipped to cater to casual drinks, private events and special dinners. Inside will sit an 18-seat dining table around which guests can congregate and connect over a glass of wine (tables will also be arrayed outside). Wine shelves and fridges will line the walls, with a snapshot of Rhone’s extensive 1000-bottle selection – think $15 everyday drops to premium collector wines – available to peruse and purchase. Approximately six-to-eight wines will be available by the glass alongside a small menu of meat, cheese and seasonal bites. Rhone’s focus will be on accessibility and discovery – inviting guests to pop in for a glass, a bottle to go, or a shared-table experience that celebrates good wine and conversation. Rhone is expected to open in early December – we’ll have more for you soon.
Ruby’s Wine Shop
The boozy fun continues over in Albion, where forthcoming boutique bottle shop and wine bar Ruby’s Wine Shop is taking shape on Sandgate Road. Ruby’s is owned and operated by former emergency nurse Tamara Husler, who is acting on a long-held dream to open a wine store that doubles as a welcoming, accessible and dog-friendly place where customers can enjoy a glass in-store or take a bottle home. Named after Tamara’s border collie, Ruby, who will serve as the venue’s friendly greeter, the 20-seater will blend the charm of European-style wine merchants with a relaxed, community feel. Inside, expect to find a curated selection of vino from local producers, Australian labels and global makers, tallying around 100 sustainably made, minimal-intervention wines – with six to eight wines available by the glass daily. Guests are also encouraged to BYO food and enjoy collaborations with neighbouring eateries. Ruby’s Wine Shop is opening to the public on Friday November 21 – check out the venue’s Instagram or TikTok page to follow the journey, and be sure to check The Weekend Edition for a peek inside soon.
Big Boy Bangkok
Later this month, foodies will be able to take a trip back in time to Thailand in the 1970s, when Big Boy Bangkok opens in Newstead. Taking over the space previously home to Newstead Social on Masters Street, the venue is looking to channel the bold energy of Bangkok’s golden age via a mix of nostalgia-inducing design cues (think neon lights, vintage textures, hand-painted matchboxes and witty typography), inventive cocktails, flavour-packed Thai-style dishes, and infectious street energy. Lively, welcoming and just a little irreverent, Big Boy Bangkok is shaping up to be a charmingly cheeky addition to Newstead’s evolving dining scene. Keep an eye out for the venue’s opening in late November.
Luna Gelato
A brand-new gelato concept from the team behind Rosé Gelateria is opening in New Farm, coinciding with the official start of summer. Luna Gelato is set to open in mid-December at Little Lane – the corner hub home to Idle – giving dessert lovers a sleek new take on artisanal gelato. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Bronson Tucker and Diana Prinz, Luna Gelato will serve small-batch, Italian-inspired gelato made with locally sourced ingredients and boasting creative, seasonal twists. The concept takes its name from the couple’s dog, Luna, and presents a more elevated, design-driven experience than its sibling brand. Designed by Space Cubed and built by Lowry Group, the fit-out embraces a cosmic, minimalist aesthetic of stainless steel, raw concrete and moody lighting. The menu will feature around 22 flavours, including a mix of beloved staples like chocolate and vanilla, plus four rotating experimental flavours each month – all served from hidden cabinets for an air of mystery. Keep your eyes peeled for more …
Motto Motto Coorparoo
Ramen lovers, take note – beloved Japanese-inspired casual dining concept Motto Motto is bringing its menu of chef-driven comfort food to Brisbane’s southside, with a brand-new location debuting at Coorparoo Square on Saturday November 15. To celebrate Motto Motto Coorparoo’s opening, the venue is giving locals the chance to indulge in its signature tonkotsu ramen for just $1. From 11:00 am on opening day, the first 500 guests will score a chance to slurp back a bargain-priced bowl filled with rich pork broth (infused with shoyu kaeshi), handmade noodles, chashu pork belly and marinated egg. If ramen isn’t your thing, Motto Motto’s menu has plenty more made-to-order dishes to enjoy, including donburi rice bowls, bento boxes and gyoza, with the team confirming a range of new menu items will be introduced before the end of the year.
Coda
In case you missed the news last week, Coda – a new 40-seat cafe and wine bar – is bringing a dash of European flair to Chermside in early December. Created by mother-daughter duo Donna and Jordan, the venue is designed as an all-day social hub – serving Veneziano coffee and artisanal teas alongside seasonal breakfast dishes and house-baked cabinet treats by day, before shifting to charcuterie, grazing plates, Mediterranean-inspired cocktails and 36 wines by the glass (served via Enomatic dispensers) by night. Designed in collaboration with Dreampods Group, Coda will blend lime-washed walls, timber textures, green accents and brass details to create a space that transitions seamlessly from bright daytime nosh spot to intimate after-hours haunt. Follow Coda on Instagram for updates.
If you’ve heard something that’s worth mentioning in The Weekend Edition’s Pavement Whispers, email [email protected].