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Dalchini West End Now Back in Business After Flood-Damage Repairs

After months of carrying out repairs due to flood damage, Dalchini West End has reopened and is once again packed with customers and well-wishers.

Read: Soak Bathhouse, Brisbane’s First Rooftop Day Spa, Set To Open Soon

The Indian restaurant was forced to close in February 2022 due to flood-and-rainwater damage to its electrical infrastructure, causing an outage, among other things.

“We understand that our restaurant was a hub for many wonderful family gatherings, events and just a place to escape to wonderful modern Indian cuisine. In this spirit we serve with love to you all, and we are extremely sorry for inconvenience caused by our outages,” Dalchini West End stated.

Announcing their reopening on social media, the owners of Dalchini West End said they can’t wait to welcome customers once again and thanked everyone for their ongoing support, prayers, and understanding.

Dalchini first opened its doors to the public in early 2020, the same month when the first cases of Covid-19 were identified in Australia.

“It has been a trying time for us opening in January 2020, directly before Covid. Now the flood detestation to this beautiful city and our restaurant. However, we are committed to our love for fine food and amazing service. We are just about back on our feet,” they wrote on a Facebook post.

Located at Melbourne St, the restaurant calls themselves a ‘Progressive Indian’ restaurant, which means the distinctive taste of Indian cuisines are retained, but they use modernist or avant-garde cooking techniques to transform flavours and presentations.

Highlights on Dalchini’s menu include Paneer Tikka Masala (paneer tikka tossed with onion and capsicum in gravy), chicken curry, Cheese Chilli Garlic Naan (Indian bread baked in tandoor and glazed with butter and garlic) and Pani Puri Shots (crispy hollow balls filled with mint-water and potato masala).

dalchini restaurant — Photo credit: Dalchini West End/Facebook

Aside from tap beer, the restaurant also stocked up on wines, with new offerings that include the Pinot Noir from Tasmania’s Dalrymple Vineyards.

Dalchini West End will operate from Wednesday to Monday, 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more information about their reopening, don’t forget to check out their Facebook page.

Plenty in West End Shuts Doors for Good

Photo Credit: Plenty / Facebook

After nine years of serving locals with locally grown and healthy food, West End’s Plenty has closed for good as of the end of July 2022. The owner admits that the decision-making process “was tough.”

On 31 July 2022, Plenty served its final batch of meals. The business folded up after months of struggling with the impact of the pandemic coupled with staff shortage and the devastation of the recent severe weather event. Unable to bring the business back into the black, owner Karyn Hodges decided that it was time to close the cafe for good.

Plenty West End — Photo Credit: Plenty / Facebook

“Running a small business takes courage,” her heartfelt farewell message on their social media read. She stated that “choosing to close took emotional fortitude.” She had to set aside sentimentality, acknowledge that an energy has run its course, and convince herself that “perseverance wasn’t the only honourable option.”

“We are not walking away from Plenty, so much as wrapping her in a loving embrace and telling her to rest in peace. We’re proud of what we achieved. We ran a gentle business. We nourished meaningful relationships with small scale farmers and producers.

“But most of all, we built a family of loyal hard working hospo workers who believed in our ethos and showed up for it every day. And we had fun doing it. So much fun.”

Plenty used to occupy a refurbished warehouse at 284 Montague Road in West End. The cafe’s kitchen served a small menu of brunch fare whilst its retail shelves were stacked with fresh produce, artisan bread, sauces, condiments, jams, marmalades, and organic pressed olive oil.

Land Purchased for ‘South Bank 2.0’ in Montague Road, West End

Plans to turn a glass manufacturing site on Montague Road in West End into “South Bank 2.0” have inched a step closer to fruition after the acquisition of the property for $165 million.

The precinct has been envisioned as an inner city multi-use parkland that will also house the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in time for the 2023 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the West End site “will be the global nerve centre of the 2032 Games.” The 9-hectare property will then be added as a permanent asset for Brisbane, thus creating the future for a world-class parkland similar to South Bank.

Initially, a temporary venue will be constructed for IBC. After the games, the building will then be removed and then converted into parklands. The state government will be closely working with Council in the site’s transformation.

Ms. Palaszczuk said South Bank 2.0 would be a mixed-use facility with heaps of green spaces and restaurants. The governments have more than a decade to develop the revitalisation and a masterplan is yet to be prepared.

“The mayors of South East Queensland began the journey to pursue these Games because they realised the incredible legacy this would create for Brisbane and the rest of the region,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“This new area on the banks of the Brisbane River is precisely the type of legacy they envisaged, great new assets that would benefit all residents and make our wonderful city even better.

“For a decade and more, people have talked about South Bank being extended along this part of our river and I am so pleased we’re now moving forward to make those dreams become a reality.”

Meanwhile, Visy, the current occupant, will move its operations to a new site in Stapylton. The company will also build its cardboard box factory in Hemmant. Both businesses will bring in 600 new jobs for Queenslanders.

Soak Bathhouse, Brisbane’s First Rooftop Day Spa, Set To Open Soon

Gold Coast’s beloved day spa Soak Bathhouse is all set to launch in West End in August 2022, making it the first-ever rooftop bathhouse to open in Brisbane.

Read: Well-loved Gold Coast Day Spa Is Coming To West End

The day spa will open at The Eaves in West Village, an event highly anticipated by eager spa enthusiasts.

Just like its location at the Mermaid Beach, Brisbane’s Soak Bathhouse will offer infrared saunas, relaxing spas, and indoor/outdoor warm mineral pools.

For a 90-minute session, guests can move between the lounge areas, the sundeck, and lush beautiful gardens, all whilst having a view of the city.

What sets it apart from other day spas throughout the city is that it will focus on providing a social experience, allowing guests to hangout in a group whilst enjoying their wellness sessions.

This comes after the owners noticed that most day spas in Brisbane only cater to pairs through couple treatments and massages.

Owners Alexis Dyson and Niki Dean wanted the spa to become a venue where groups can connect whilst re-energising and zoning out.

Whilst social connection and community is part of their ethos, they will also offer private experiences such as LED facials and massages, for those looking for extra special ‘me time.’

A month prior to the grand opening, Soak Bathhouse West End already celebrated the Winter Wellness Day at the West Village. In July 2022, customers got a chance to meet the team and join in a day of wellness activities.

Soak Bathhouse West Village will launch August 2022. You can follow their Facebook page to stay updated about the spa’s anticipated grand opening.

Yamas Greek & Drink Preparing To Open At The West Village

Yamas Greek and Drink, a restaurant with focus on authentic Greek cuisine, is preparing to open at the West Village precinct.

Read: New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop Opens in West End

Yamas means “cheers” or “‘a toast to good health” in Greek and as the name suggests, there will be an emphasis on banquet dining and share plates here.

Owners Michael Tassis and Caio Rossetto, the same folks behind Fatcow Steak & Lobster and Opa Bar & Mezze at Eagle St, drew inspiration from the traditional Greek restaurants in Thessaloniki, where you can find many restaurants specialising in Greek mezze.

greek restaurant bne — Photo credit: yamasrestaurant.com.au

As with the eateries around Thessaloniki, where one would be amazed with the seafood options, the new restaurant will have a live lobster tank to ensure seafood will be served fresh.

Yamas Greek and Drink will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with menu highlights such as wagyu beef moussaka, slow-cooked lamb leg and chargrilled lobster.

After a sumptuous dinner, guests can toast over wine, from Yamas’ extensive wine list or from their Aegean-inspired cocktails.

greek restaurant — Photo credit: yamasrestaurant.com.au

There will be a few similarities with its sister venue Opa Bar & Mezze, but it will have a heavier focus on authentic Greek dishes. Designed by Clui Design, the space will be ‘breezy’ and ‘airy,’ making it a perfect destination for get-togethers.

As for the opening date, Yamas Greek and Drink has not released an official date yet. To stay updated about Yamas Greek and Drink’s anticipated launch at the West Village, follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @yamas.greek.

It’s the End of the Road for Wandering Cooks

Photo Credit: Wandering Cooks / Facebook

After ten years, Wandering Cooks, beloved culinary incubator, commercial kitchen, and dining spot in West End that has helped many fledgling food entrepreneurs kickstart their hospitality business, has served its last dish.

“Wandering Cooks is closed. For good,” the sad notice on Wandering Cooks’ social media reads.

“Wandering Cooks, the project to which I have devoted myself for the last decade, is closed for good. It is time to accept that the market has made this decision an obvious, if not extremely difficult, one,” Wandering Cooks founder Angela Hirst wrote.

Wandering Cooks started out as a commercial kitchen, helping launch some of today’s well-known eateries including El Planta, Alphabet Cafe, Nodo, and Pie Town. A year after shutting down due to COVID-19, the culinary incubator expanded its offerings and included a bar and restaurant along with a farmer’s market, before moving from Fish Lane to Vulture Street in 2021.

“Then, something called a lockdown happened. The irreparable exodus of so many of our partners, and the effective end of what we’d long been. A year or so in the dark. Then, gently, a farmers market, some coffee, then a little food of our own. Then a lot of food of our own. Then eviction from our home of 8 years,” Ange furthered.

With their new, two-storey warehouse space, Wandering Cooks evolved from its previous incubator concept and grew into a full-blown culinary kitchen plus a beer garden, focusing on locally produced ingredients and serving up to a hundred customers each night.

Sadly, when borders were opened, patronage dramatically declined. This led to the painful decision to finally close the beloved restaurant for good.

“Alas. Borders open. New year, new world. A ghost town, again. It’s time,” continued Ange.

She then closed her farewell statement stressing that the business “never has a premise. It’s been people.” She further wrote, “So I guess I don’t really know what the question of Wandering Cooks was after all. But I reckon the answer turned out to be love.”

The dining spot officially closed last May but Ange assures everyone that she is doing OK and feels well supported.

And as their way of properly saying goodbye, the Wandering Cooks will hold an event on 2 July 2022 at Lucky Duck Cafe & Bar from 5 pm till late. This will be a reunion of sorts as everyone who had been part of the Wandering Cook’s journey is expected to join the event.

Mamma Mia-inspired Dining Experience Lands on West End

Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com

Mamma Mia! An ABBA jukebox musical-themed theatrical dining experience has landed on West End and will run until 25 June 2022. Head on out to The Cypriot Club on Vulture Street for an evening filled with singing and dancing whilst being served sumptuous Greek food.

Inspired by the 2008 hit jukebox musical, romantic-comedy, “Dancing Queen” is an immersive dining experience that will have you begging, “gimme, gimme, gimme” some more. Journey to the island of Skopelos and relive the love story as performers serenade you (and sing along) with some of ABBA’s timeless hits.

*Dancing Queen brings Mamma Mia vibe to West End | Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com*

This immersive dining experience costs $99 per person and includes the theatrical performance, a two-course Mediterranean dinner with a drink and a disco.

This immersive dining experience includes the theatrical performance, a two-course Mediterranean dinner with a drink and a disco. — Photo Credit: Hidden / explorehidden.com

The Menu (subject change) includes Mezze Plate, served as individual plates of Dolmades, feta cheese, marinated olives, hummus, taramasalata, Toursi (pickled vegetables) & herbed flatbread. Greek salad will also be served for the shared table.

For the Main course, you can choose one of the following mains served with spanakorizo, lemon potatoes, arugula salad & vienna bread.

Chicken in Garlic Sauce (GF – fresh cream, garlic, wine, salt & pepper)
Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Sauce
Vegan/ Vegetarian Option: Grilled seasonal vegetables: grilled zucchini, eggplant & mushroom (Menu is subject to market availability)

The remaining Show and Dinner dates are on Friday 24 June at 5.30 pm and Saturday 25 June at 8.30 pm. Please note that tickets are non-refundable.

Book here

You will be sent a Google Form before the event so you can note any dietary requests and your seating preferences. Under 18s can attend the event but should be accompanied by a guardian.

New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop Opens in West End

Photo Credit: kurtosh_official / Instagram

They heard you, Brisbane! Kurtosh – popular for its chimney cake or kürtőskalács – finally opened its first Queensland location in West Village, West End.

The latest eatery to land on West End, Kurtosh House opened its first store in Randwick, NSW in 2011. Eight locations later (6 in NSW and one in Victoria), owners felt that it was time for Queensland to have its own Kurtosh store. The new West Village joint on Boundary Street opened recently occupying a space opposite fellow newcomer Anita Gelato.

New Chimney Cake Specialty Shop -
Kurtosh House West End — Photo Credit: kurtosh_official / Instagram

Kürtősh House borrowed its name from a popular Hungarian street snack, Kürtőskalács, which is also known as chimney cake for its cylindrical shape. The famous pastry melds two distinct textures: caramelised crispy flaky crust and soft inner walls. And you can now experience this made-to-order specialty at Kürtősh.

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Kurtosh House in West Village also offers slab cakes and a variety of pastries and loaves. Interestingly, slab cakes are sold by weight, so there is no need to buy the entire slab. You could simply ask the friendly staff to cut you a serving of one or each of the available flavours at a size that is just enough to satisfy your craving.

Cake offerings include flourless chocolate cake, tiramisu, cookies and cream, cinnamon and walnut tea cake, mum’s chocolate cake and red forest cake, but keep an eye on their rotating specials as well.

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A post shared by Kürtősh (@kurtosh_official)

Not to be missed are their scrumptious cookies and pastries offerings which include vegan peanut butter cookies, salted tahini and choc chip cookies, apple danish, raspberry croissant, cheese pocket and peanut butter and raspberry scroll, to name a few.

The coffee counter, meanwhile, serves up rotating choice blends and Teacraft Teas in English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Chai, Peppermint, Chamomile & Gunpowder Green varieties.

Kurtosh House is located at Shop TR-06, 111 Boundary Street, West Village Retail, West End. Operating hours are Monday to Sunday from 7 am to 10 pm.

Kürtősh – West End | Shop TR-06, 111 Boundary Street, West Village Retail, West End QLD 4101, Australia

Renovated West End Cafe Offers Immersive, Full-Service Dining Experience

Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

This West End cafe has never looked better. If you haven’t paid them a visit yet, then it’s time to check out the fresh look of Veneziano Coffee Roasters on Montague Road.

Veneziano Coffee Roasters has been serving up West End locals with coffee goodness for more than a decade now. And with the opening of its 80-seat Richmond cafe and the flagship espresso bar in Surry Hills in 2018, a West End venue update needed to happen; and so it finally did.

Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Instagram

Renovated Veneziano Coffee West End — Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Instagram

After a COVID-19 induced delay, Veneziano Coffee Roasters West End relaunched early this year with a revitalised look. The coffee joint now sports a new bright and airy space dotted with greenery that easily pops out against the all-white palette surrounding the space. Wooden chairs, marble-topped tables, and a vaulted ceiling complete the refreshed look. The venue can now accommodate about 50 customers indoors and another 16 outdoors.

An interesting addition to the shop is a glass window that offers diners an immersive experience as it provides a full view of the roastery from the dining space where they can see the shop’s behind-the-scenes operations. Another window gives visitors a view of the expanded training studio next door where barista and latte art training classes happen.

Chilled Coconut rice pudding | Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

Along with the updated design, Veneziano Coffee Roasters likewise introduced its new full-service menu offering lunch fare with vegan and vegetarian options including Chilled Coconut rice pudding with seasonal fruits and dehydrated mandarins. There’s also vegan croquet with house-made cashew cheese and pesto and Montague Benedict or poached eggs served on zucchini fritters with a citrus Hollandaise and crumbled feta.

Montague Benedict | Photo Credit: Veneziano Coffee West End / Facebook

Lunch offerings include burgers, burritos and smoked ham with vintage cheddar, beetroots, grilled stone fruits and seeded mustard. Whilst sweet treats including Brioche French Toast as well as sandwiches and bagels will still be on offer.

As for the caffeine fix, espresso, cappuccino, latte and filtered coffee are among the choices. Other beverages like hot chocolate, chai, milkshakes and smoothies are also available.

Veneziano Coffee Roasters West End is open 6 am to 3 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Want to order online? Click here.

Veneziano Coffee West End | 369 Montague Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia

Get Moving With West End Gym’s ‘Fit Over 50s Program’

West End’s Science of Fitness gym is inviting those in their 50s to keep active and get moving by participating in their ‘Fit over 50s Program’

Read: Chris Feather, Russell Crowe Opens New 98 Gym West End Location

The program is designed specifically at improving strength, movement and general fitness in older adults, which are all done in a non-threatening, social and enjoyable environment.

It’s also designed for those who are looking to reduce pain, improve function and feel stronger and healthier through exercise.

west end gym — Photo credit: scienceoffitness.com.au

A key component of the program is measuring the effectiveness of the work their clients are putting in.

“Research suggests that grip strength is largely consistent as an explanator of concurrent health, quality of life and all causes of morbidity. We can proudly say our 50s members have proven that research to be true,” Science of Fitness stated.

Available for all members, they conduct their testing week every 12 weeks at their West End facility.

“It provides an opportunity for individuals to see quantitative information about their performance that our trainers can use to prescribe a purpose-driven program relevant to their strengths and weaknesses – we do this for every client and member that walks through our doors,” they shared in a social media post.

sof brisbane west end — Photo credit: scienceoffitness.com.au

The Fit over 50s program is one of the programs supported by the QLD Government under ActiveKIT.

ActiveKIT is an initiative of Health and Wellbeing Queensland in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood highlighted how low physical activity can have a direct impact on our overall health and wellbeing, including increasing our risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

“Increasing our physical activity helps prevent hypertension, overweight and obesity, and can improve mental health, quality of life and wellbeing.,” said Dr Littlewood.

To learn more about the Fit over 50s program, visit scienceoffitness.com.au. SOF Brisbane is located at 282 Montague Rd, West End.