The restaurant joins only a handful of other Nigerian eateries in Brisbane, filling a niche for locals craving authentic dishes from West Africa.
Head chef and manager Kemi Fajemisin, raised in Nigeria, brings over a decade of experience spotlighting the bright, bold flavours of her homeland. Her passion for cooking blossomed in childhood under the tutelage of her Nigerian grandmother.
Since relocating to Australia, Kemi has earned acclaim as a chef and expert on African cuisine.
Chef Kemi Fajemisin (Photo credit: lekkibylittlelagos.com)
Diners can expect her standout specialties like jollof rice, a fragrant tomato and chilli-infused rice dish, topped with thin slices of beef or chicken.
Jollof rice (Photo credit: Lekki by Little Lagos/Google Maps)
Another signature is the mouthwatering goat meat stew, slow-cooked with tomatoes, peppers and onions for a deliciously fiery broth brimming with tender meat.
Goat meat stew (Photo credit: Lekki by Little Lagos/Google Maps)
No Nigerian meal is complete without fufu to soak up rich sauces; here it comes in the form of smooth, pounded yam to pair with egusi soup or your protein of choice.
Fufu (Photo credit: Lekki by Little Lagos/Google Maps)
As Brisbane’s dining scene continues evolving, this newcomer fills a distinct niche, brought to the city by the team behind Sydney’s pioneering Little Lagos, Australia’s first Nigerian bar and bistro. Finally, locals can explore authentic recipes from a region seldom represented among the city’s international restaurant offerings.
Foodies eager to explore authentic Nigerian cuisine without leaving Brisbane can visit Lekki by Little Lagos at 132 Boundary Street in West End. Follow them @lekkibylittlelagos on Instagram for updates.
On Friday 1 Dec 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. wander through over 200 artisan stalls and sample the best gourmet eats from talented local chefs and tastemakers. Plus, with so many unique, handmade gifts by bespoke makers and creators, you’ll need to BYO Santa sack to carry all your treasures home.
Feeling like a cup of festive cheer? Stop by the Long Bar to sip on an icy cold brew from Stone & Wood and Revel Brewing Co. or extra festive Christmas spirits from Milton Rum Distillery.
Let’s mistle-toast to the silly season!
But wait, there’s myrrh! Sleigh the night away with live music by The Twine, be mesmerised by roving Chrissy characters and magical stilt walkers, join a FREE circus workshop, and grab a selfie with SANTA!
WIN A $200 BAR TAB TO SPEND!
We’re offering you a chance to WIN a $200 bar tab to spend the night of West End Christmas Twilight Market! Cheers to that!
West End Christmas Twilight Market When: Friday 1 December | 4PM – 10PM FREE Entry | FREE Parking Where: Davies Park, West End Snaps with Santa: 5PM – 8PM
Featuring: Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Mr Pulled Slow Cooked Meats, OMG Donuts, Roll It Ice Cream Co., Rufus and Daisy, Cath’s Crafts, Hey Good Looking, and more!
The CityCat ferry, named Gilwunpa, was returning to the shipyard at the end of its shift when it ploughed into the unattended boat, which was anchored approximately 200 metres downstream of the terminal. The incident occurred at 8.35 pm on Tuesday, leaving an anchored boat submerged in the river.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A spokesperson from RiverCity Ferries, the operator of Brisbane’s ferry fleet, confirmed that there were no passengers on board, and the crew escaped unharmed. The ferry was no longer in service for the evening when the collision took place.
Authorities have placed floating buoys around the sunken boat to indicate its location in the Brisbane River.
The Brisbane City Council, which oversees public ferries operating under a city contract as part of the state government’s integrated public transport scheme, is collaborating with RiverCity Ferries to understand the incident. A council spokesperson affirmed that all ferry services are continuing as scheduled.
Notably, the Maritime Union of Australia’s Queensland branch had previously expressed concerns about the safety of ferry operations, suggesting that it was “only a matter of time” before such an incident occurred. In 2016, the union raised issues related to “horrible rosters,” a shortage of ferries, inadequate training, and a revolving door of top-level executives in the ferry service.
The union is expected to provide additional comments as the investigation into the collision progresses. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing concerns surrounding ferry safety in Brisbane and the need for a comprehensive review of the maritime transportation system in the city.
Steve and Jane Wilson, the couple behind the restoration of Lamb House in Kangaroo Point, has placed Kinauld, their historic Highgate Hill residence, on the market. This 1888-built home once played host to Hollywood powerhouse couple Vivien Leigh and her husband, Sir Laurence Olivier.
Nestled at 116 Dornoch Terrace, this iconic property is now up for grabs as the owners, corporate identities Steve and Jane Wilson, have decided to part ways with their beloved family home of over 35 years.
The Wilsons, known for their passion for historic homes, famously acquired Lamb House in Kangaroo Point in 2021 for a staggering $12.75 million. Following an extensive renovation, Lamb House is now almost ready for occupancy, prompting the couple to list their cherished Kinauld for sale.
Jane Wilson expressed that they thought of keeping both historical houses but “it just didn’t make sense.” So, they want a new family to enjoy their former home.
Among the many memories the Wilsons hold dear at Kinauld was the celebration of Steve’s 40th birthday. Jane reminisced about the evening when a Frank Sinatra impersonator serenaded the guests while they danced on a specially constructed dancefloor over the pool. Steve, however, treasures the family milestones, such as christenings and barbecues at the home.
Photo Credit: Showcache/YouTube
But Kinauld has more to offer beyond the Wilsons’ cherished memories. According to Steve, the residence had the honour of hosting Hollywood legends Vivien Leigh, famous for her roles in “Gone with the Wind” and “A Street Car Named Desire,” and her husband, Sir Laurence Olivier, renowned for his performances in “Hamlet,” “Wuthering Heights,” and “Spartacus.”
The Hollywood power couple visited the residence during their 1948 trip to Brisbane, adding a touch of stardom to Kinauld’s history.
1948: Queenslanders’ Starstruck Encounter with the Oliviers
Delving into the annals of history, we uncover the star-studded visit of Olivier and Leigh to Queensland in 1948. The famed Hollywood couple had come to Australia as lead actors with England’s prestigious The Old Vic theatre company, all thanks to the British Government’s gesture of gratitude for the countries’ wartime contributions.
On 20 June 1948, Olivier and Leigh landed at Archerfield aerodrome in Brisbane, embarking on a theatrical journey that would leave an indelible mark on the Antipodes. The couple had hoped for a peaceful break in Queensland to recharge their spirits after a series of demanding rehearsals and performances. However, the couple’s desire for solitude clashed with the starstruck Queenslanders’ enthusiasm.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Their arrival in Brisbane was met with a mob of 200 eager fans, eager to catch a glimpse of the iconic couple. The constant fan vigil became overwhelming, leading the Oliviers to seek refuge in private accommodation. To assist them in their quest for seclusion, they turned to their “theatrical friend” Bob Geraghty, who recommended a private house. The sanctuary was to the couple’s liking.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
The Oliviers’ visit left an enduring imprint on Queensland’s history, showcasing the star power they possessed and the fervent admiration of their Australian fans.
Meanwhile, this historic Kinauld is now being marketed by Place New Farm. It is sure to attract the attention of potential buyers interested in owning a piece of Queensland’s glamorous past.
A daring car theft took place in West End, where a black Audi A3 was stolen by a young individual from the Wheelz and Wheelz car dealership on Ingham Rd.
The incident took place around 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday, 25 Oct 2023. Local authorities are now investigating the incident that saw the stolen car involved in a dramatic joy ride past the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre just an hour later.
A black Audi A3, left unlocked in the car yard of Wheelz and Wheelz, was snatched by an opportunistic young thief. The stolen car, worth thousands, was driven away from the dealership, leaving both the staff and owners in shock. Police were alerted immediately and launched an investigation into the theft.
Less than an hour after the car was stolen, the stolen Audi A3 was spotted by members of the public. It was seen driving in convoy with a stolen white Toyota HiLux outside the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, located on Old Common Rd, Belgian Gardens. The stolen vehicles were making laps near the detention centre, creating a spectacle for onlookers.
The stolen Toyota HiLux, a separate case in itself, was reported stolen from the Walkabout Palms caravan park in Wulguru. The theft occurred sometime between 8:30 p.m. on Monday and 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The vehicle had its rear and side windows smashed, indicating it had been forcefully accessed.
Local law enforcement agencies are now working tirelessly to resolve the case. The theft of the Audi A3 and the subsequent joy ride near the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre has raised concerns about the safety and security of vehicles in the West End area.
Police are urging residents to take extra precautions when leaving their cars unattended, ensuring they are securely locked to prevent such incidents in the future.
The 25th annual MS Moonlight Walk will illuminate Brisbane, starting at Davies Park in West End on Saturday, October 28 to raise critical funds and awareness for Queenslanders living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Marking a quarter century of the iconic fundraising event, this year’s walk promises to be the biggest and brightest yet. Participants can choose from 3km, 5km, or 10km courses that will be lined with glowing lanterns and roving entertainers to celebrate the walk’s 25th anniversary.
The after-dark walk brings together people of all ages and abilities united in their passion to create a world free of multiple sclerosis. Wheelchair accessible 3km and 5km courses ensure the event is open to all.
Photo credit: MS Moonlight Walk/Facebook
At the heart of the experience is the walk’s breathtaking signature sea of lanterns. Lighting up the Brisbane River and the city’s parks and landmarks, such as the Wheel of Brisbane, Brisbane River, the lanterns create a spectacle of hope and solidarity for the over 5,500 Queenslanders living with multiple sclerosis.
Photo credit: MS Moonlight Walk/Facebook
Dollar Match Day is back this year, which means every online donation will be matched (up to $10,000). As of 23 October 2023, the organisation has a total of $10,000 matched for the upcoming event.
Funds raised through the event this year will provide critical services like the NeuroAssist information line, NDIS access support, specialist nursing care and wellness programs run by MS Queensland.
Photo credit: MS Moonlight Walk/Facebook
With MS having no known cause or cure, support for Queenslanders living with the condition remains as vital today as when the first Moonlight Walk was held 25 years ago.
Registrations for the 25th anniversary MS Moonlight Walk on October 28, which will start at 3:00 p.m. are still open at https://www.moonlightwalk.com.au/.
Did you know that Brisbane City Council is pushing for law amendments that would eliminate the need to issue and leave multiple parking fines on car windows?
Currently, State laws allow Councils to physically issue multiple parking fines to vehicles that stay beyond the timed limit. That means infringement notices can be issued each and every time a violation is committed but these should be physically placed on the erring vehicle.
BCC wants to change this, saying that the practice of issuing paper tickets has become unnecessary . Instead, they are suggesting that parking fines be issued in the mail, similar to how it is done with mobile speed camera fines. State Government law does allow Councils to use the mail service but only when issuing a single fine to a vehicle. They are not allowed to do it with multiple fines.
The issue was raised at the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) annual conference. The council called on the state government to look into changing the law so that the council will no longer need to physically issue a fine and place it on the vehicle for every instance of overstaying a time parking limit.
The council’s objective is to encourage the rapid turnover of parking spaces, supporting local businesses whilst discouraging parking in clearways, which can disrupt the flow of traffic for numerous other motorists.
Brisbane City Council is well-equipped to implement such a change. It already operates mobile enforcement vehicles equipped with a number plate recognition system, a technology that streamlines the enforcement of parking violations.
Although the council has taken a stance on the matter, the response from the state government is yet to be determined. A spokesperson for the state’s Department of Transport and Main Roads explained that the existing laws aim to provide drivers with a reasonable opportunity to move their vehicles after receiving a fine before incurring further fines. However, if a council only intends to issue one fine, the spokesman said that it can be accomplished via mail.
West End restaurant Yamas Greek & Drink was recently awarded ‘Best Greek Restaurant for Southeast Queensland’ at the 2023 Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.
As the winner in this category, Yamas has earned a spot as a national finalist for the Hostplus Awards for Excellence as the best Greek restaurant, which will be announced in November 2023 in Sydney.
Yamas bested several other Brisbane finalists to claim the regional title, including The Opa Bar and Mezze (also operated by Yamas’ parent company), Xenia in Main Beach, and Xenia Grill in Coolangatta.
Photo credit: Yamas Greek/Facebook
The Greek restaurant is operated by the Tassis Group, the hospitality company behind other popular Brisbane eateries like Fatcow Steak & Lobster and Opa Bar and Mezze. The hospitality group is well-known in Brisbane, having recently won the contract to open two new dining venues at the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.
Photo credit: Yamas Greek/Facebook
Yamas Greek & Drink, which first opened in 2022, specialises in the flavours of Thessaloniki with a modern West Village vibe. Their menu offers Greek delicacies with a seafood focus.
Photo credit: Yamas Greek/Facebook
Their cocktails and traditional Greek banquet platters, served family-style with taramasalata (dip), sausage, salad, and lemon potatoes, are a big draw for diners. The lamb souvlaki, marinated and slow-cooked on a spit, served with lemon rice pilaf, raisins, herbs, and tzatziki, is another standout menu item. For dessert, the galaktoboureko custard pastry is a favourite among patrons.
This recent honour from the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence cements Yamas’ reputation as one of the top Greek dining options in the area. To learn more about Yamas’ offerings, visit their website or check out their Facebook page.
The annual Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence formally honour hospitality businesses across a wide range of categories. The awards celebrate operators who deliver outstanding service and showcase culinary mastery in their respective niches.
It’s established by the Restaurant & Catering Australia, which represents over 57,000 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses across Australia.
Through its Awards for Excellence awards, Restaurant & Catering Australia celebrates the achievements of its thousands of hospitality operators.
Brisbane’s highly anticipated Toowong to West End Green Bridge is now in limbo, as the city authorities recently announced budget cuts, forcing an indefinite pause on the project.
The project, already experiencing delays, was set to enter a detailed design phase later this year. However, Brisbane City Council’s decision to cut spending by 10 percent as a response to the ongoing global inflation crisis has now placed the future of the bridge in uncertainty.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner revealed that the Council would implement a significant $400 million spending cut in its 2023/2024 budget.
Cr Schrinner justified this emergency budget cut as a critical measure to prevent a forecasted budget blowout in the coming year, driven by escalating costs of construction labour, materials, and services.
Artist’s impression of the bridge’s rest point (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Flickr)
The Toowong to West End Green Bridge, which is one of the four green bridges planned for the city, will be impacted.
The council had previously unveiled the concept design for the green bridge, which is built upon the favoured alignment stretching from the southeast corner of 600 Coronation Drive, Toowong, to Orleigh Park (near Forbes Street), West End.
Beyond the Green Bridges program, other areas affected by the budget cuts include the Brisbane Metro, advertising, consultants, travel expenses, and councillor ward budgets. Notably, the shading project for Victoria Bridge, estimated at $5 million, has also been halted indefinitely.
Cr Schrinner defended the decision, drawing parallels between the Council’s approach and responsible household budgeting. He stressed the importance of spending less to prevent residents from facing higher costs, resulting in Council planning to reduce its daily spending by $1.6 million from its $4.2 billion budget.
Despite the severity of the cuts, the Lord Mayor assured that there would be no staff redundancies or impacts on waste collection services.
The adoption of these measures seems to be a calculated step aimed at preventing potential increases in rates, particularly in light of the approaching election year. As Brisbane residents anticipate the consequences, the future of various significant projects, such as the Toowong to West End Green Bridge, remains uncertain.
The once-booming vegan dining scene in Queensland has hit a rough patch, with several plant-based eateries facing closures and others reluctantly introducing meat options to stay afloat. Cinnamon and Co, a beloved plant-based cafe in Brisbane’s West End, which announced its closure on October 8, cited the challenging financial climate as the primary reason for the sudden closure.
Economic conditions, coupled with the challenge of catering to a limited vegan demographic, have made it increasingly difficult for many vegan restaurants to survive. This sentiment was echoed by Cinnamon and Co Vegan Cafe owner Tasia Amber.
“I imagine this comes as a shock. It does to us too. Without going into all the details, know that we did not expect this.,” she said in a social media post.
“The dream was to continue making beautiful food and hosting wonderful events for years to come. But this financial climate is crushing to small businesses, so here we are.”
Last month, the closure of the once-popular vegan burger bar, Grass Fed in South Brisbane, raised concerns among vegans and food enthusiasts alike as the establishment fell victim to the same economic pressures.
These closures are part of a broader trend that has seen various vegan eateries shutter their operations in recent months. The Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach, considered one of Queensland’s original plant-based eateries, faced insurmountable challenges due to soaring rents and rising food and staff costs. Enoki Coffee & Co in Stafford Heights and Gopal’s Pure Vegetarian in Maroochydore also succumbed to similar pressures.
Vegan cafe Pancha in Hamilton opted to introduce meat options to its menu as a means of survival. Co-owner Petch Berge explained that potential customers often walked out when they realised the restaurant was vegan, showing a reluctance to try plant-based dishes. Since incorporating meat offerings, the business has seen a 20% improvement in its bottom line.
The challenges faced by vegan eateries in Queensland have prompted a reevaluation of their business models. Stean Kelly, the new owner of the former plant-based cafe Grown in West End, acknowledged that the perception of being exclusively vegan was a deterrent to some customers. As a result, he introduced meat options to the menu, which quickly became the dominant choice for patrons.
Veganism continues to grow in popularity, however, the challenging economic climate makes it difficult to maintain exclusively plant-based menus. Many restaurant owners have found that diversifying their offerings to include meat is a necessary step to secure their businesses’ future.
