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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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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.

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

Photo Credit: 98 Gym Brisbane / Facebook

Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe and former professional rugby player Chris Feather have expanded their gym business with the recent opening of their 98 Gym West End location, their first in Brisbane.

The 12th of February 2022 was a big day for Feather and Crowe as 98 Gym Brisbane opened on Montague Road, West End, their fourth location after Sydney, Bondi and Melbourne.

Upon retiring from professional Rugby, Feather moved to Australia to join friend and former NRL player, Sam Burgess. In 2009, Sam and Chris met Crowe whilst the latter was filming Robin Hood in the UK.

“Fast forward a couple of years and he and Sam had become good friends. By this time, Russell had a small private gym in the middle of the city in Sydney, in a building he owned, 98 Riley Street,” Chris Feather recalls.

“Russell gave me the opportunity to use the gym for personal training – the rent was $250 per week and it would only be me working there. I took him up on his offer and started to build up my client base.”

Whilst his little business was doing well, Chris’ visa is nearing expiration, His options could either be to become a PT manager or become a gym manager; both of which he had so little experience of.

“Mentally, I started preparing for a trip home to the UK,” he said.

He explained his situation to Sam and Russell and explained how he had often thought “Russell could open his gym to 50 members and run an exclusive members-only gym”. Russell agreed to Chris’ proposal and sponsored him as the manager of the new business venture.

“Within the next 3 months the gym had its first 50 members, and I had a new job and a visa for 3 years.”

A few years later, Russell gave Chris the “opportunity to buy the majority of shares” of the 98 Riley Street Gym and “98 Gym” was born in 2017.

For their fourth location, The 98 Gym team found the perfect place in West End. Just about four kilometres southwest of Brisbane CBD, Montague Road with its buzzing neighbourhoods offers the best opportunities for growing their gym membership.

98 Gym Brisbane is located at 202 Montague Road, West End. The gym offers newbies a 7-day free trial as well as Part-Time Membership with access to two in-gym sessions a week and complimentary access to our 98 Training app.

98_Gym Brisbane| 202 Montague Rd, West End 4101

Plans Submitted For Residential Building In Kurilpa St in West End

Stockwell Development Group has lodged an application to build a nine-storey residential building on Kurilpa St in West End.

Read: Temporary West End-to-Guyatt Park Ferry Route Unveiled As 3-Stage Plan Commences

The residential dwellings , consisting of 78 two-, three- and four-bedroom units, will take up eight levels, with each storey consisting of individual private balconies or courtyards facing the streets.

stockwell west end — Site plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

The subject site is on a 2365sqm corner site spanning four lots at 4, 6 and 8 Bailey Street and 10 Kurilpa Street. It’s currently occupied by warehouse buildings which will be removed once the application is given the green light.

It would have a rooftop communal space, which would have a swimming pool, barbecue, recreational areas and pergola.

Designed by MODE Design, the plan incorporates Buildings that Breathe principles, with landscaping and deep planting zones proposed “to ensure the interface contributes to an attractive streetscape.”

brisbane west end — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

It would also feature two levels of basement car parking which will accommodate 138 car parking spaces including 12 visitor parking.

The DA highlighted that residents of the proposed building will benefit from the ferry services, given the proposed ferry terminal at Victoria St.

“The proposed development is an appropriate density and mix of dwelling types to achieve the dwelling targets to accommodate the future population for Brisbane City under the Regional Plan,” said planners at RPS.

rooftop area — Rooftop recreation space (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

Stockwell has a number of established properties in West End, such as Riverpoint, which was completed in 2016, Muse (completed 2018), and Virtuoso the River (completed 2019).

The company has many residential projects across Brisbane, including apartments along Fish Lane and Dutton Park. They are also behind the controversial Boggo Road Gaol development, which was granted approval in 2021.

The new West End development will be one of their projects for 2022 along with another one in Noosaville.

Fore more details about the proposed residential building, see Brisbane City Council’s website with the reference A005984925.

Plant-Based Cafe Rises From the Ashes, New Location in West End to Open Soon

Photo Credit: Vega Cafe / Facebook

After being gutted by fire last February 2022, this plant-based cafe is set to stage a comeback from its new location in West End.

Owners Prince Khamkaew and Pratana “Gifty” Langkapinth lost their cafe, Vega, on Chalk St, Lutwyche due to fire. It was a devastating loss for the young couple who had just opened the venue last year and even had their home put on the market to help fund its expansion.

With the help of the locals who are quick to rush in and provide their support through a fundraiser organised by Scott McDonald and Casey Earley, the pair is now starting over and will soon be reopening their cafe at its new location at 91 Jane Street in West End.

fire-gutted Vega Lutwyche — Photo Credit: Vega Cafe / Facebook

The 150sqm cottage that will be the new home Vega Cafe is currently undergoing renovation which once completed will feature two covered decks for its alfresco dining. The owners are hoping to reopen Vega later this year and serve customers their plant-based favourites including their Weef Burger which is grilled tofu patty with green oak, tomato, cucumber and cheese.

vegan burger — Vegan burger | Photo Credit: Vega Cafe / Facebook

Acai bowl / vegan Shibuya | Photo Credit: Vega Cafe / Facebook

Vega’s coffee options will be supplied by Fonzie Abbott plus a range of other beverages will be on offer including smoothies, milkshakes, fruit soda and iced tea. Meanwhile, their vegan cabinet will feature gluten-free vegan pastries and cakes.

Butterfly pea ice latte / Black cold brew by Fonzie Abbot | Photo Credit: Vega Cafe / Facebook

Late last year, they decided to return to their vegan roots, much like what they did when they were still operating Little Digs in Fortitude Valley. They removed all of Vega’s vegetarian options from the menu and made it a full-fledged plant-based eatery.

Harris Farm Markets Shares Six New Recipes For Easter

Here are some fresh and delicious ideas for the Easter weekend! Harris Farm Markets West End shares six new recipes for Easter, using seafood and some of the best produce in season.

Whilst the kids prepare for Easter hunts at home, keep an eye on Pink Lady Apples, avocados, pears, and red grapefruit, as well as raspberries, broccolini, white grapes, lemons, limes, chestnuts, carrots, red capsicum, plums, sweet potatoes, blackberries, zucchini, bananas, passionfruit, celery and truss cherry tomatoes at the fruits and vegetable section of Harris Farm Markets.

Swing by the seafood aisle as well and check out the ingredients and supplies you can use to prepare these meals below:

Easter Tom Yum Gravalax

A simple and quick dish to make, this cured salmon recipe incorporates tastes of Thai soup with coriander, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. For that little bit of extra preparation time, place the gravalax on fried rice paper crisps with pickled radish, fresh truss cherry tomatoes, and crème fraiche.

Harris Farm Market — Photo Credit: Supplied

RECIPE

Easter BBQ Platter

The best thing about a platter is that it caters to every palette, even the pickiest of people. This recipe couples the most mouth-watering lamb cutlets and vegan sausages with eggplant, capsicum, broccolini, and truss cherry tomatoes, seasoned with rosemary and a touch of garlic.

RECIPE

Easter BBQ Seafood Platter

For the love of all seafood, you can’t give this one a miss at Easter. A dish of art with octopus and marinade, black mussels, king prawns, and scallops. The platter is placed with final touches of freshly made saltbush butter, capers, and lemon wedges.

RECIPE

Easter Turkish Eggs with Macadamia Flatbread

This recipe is one not spoiled by the overindulgence of Easter chocolate, with all ingredients carefully selected to harmonise perfectly with eggs in this Easter dish. A traditionally Turkish take with emphasis on spices, sided with Macadamia Flatbread to dip into the delights.

RECIPE

Hot Cross Bun Ice Cream Sandwiches with Chocolate Sauce

You can’t go wrong with a classic hot cross bun recipe, but maybe you can do a little better. This possibly controversial take on Hot Cross Buns provides an option for the warmer days of Autumn. We’ll leave you to decide if it’s worthy.

RECIPE

Vegan Apple Tart

Adding in-season Pink Lady Apples, or any red and green apple of your choice – this recipe allows you to pick the apple from whichever tree you prefer. Still focusing on a classic cinnamon flavour with a dash of lemon juice, you can share this dish with all your guests – vegan or not.

RECIPE

Harris Farm Market in West End is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Follow the Facebook page for more updates.

Temporary West End-to-Guyatt Park Ferry Route Unveiled As 3-Stage Plan Commences

Photo Credit: Cr Vicky Howard / vickihoward.com

A three-stage plan for the return of Brisbane’s ferry services is now in place, beginning with the resumption of Bulimba-Teneriffe cross-river services followed by a temporary West End to Guyatt Park cross-river route by mid-April 2022.

According to the return plan, ferry services for Bulimba to Teneriffe cross-river route will be the first to get back online on 4 April 2022 then a new temporary West End-Guyatt Park route gets activated a week later.

The plan to put cross-river services gradually back into action involves some $20 million worth of repair work to the city’s ferry network.

Each of the 25 terminals across Brisbane has sustained some form of damage due to the recent flooding but some services will already be back online a month after the catastrophic event.

“As the clean-up continues and surveying work is undertaken to search for hidden debris and obstacles, we are prioritising the repair jobs for our ferry terminal network based on those which were least affected by the floods and are safe to work on,” Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Councillor Ryan Murphy said.

“We are prioritising these two cross river routes based on the need to service these communities with public transport and the speed and ease at which we can make these terminals safe.”

“Cross river services like these usually use small monohull or KittyCat ferries but for the time being a larger CityCat will ferry more passengers back and forth.”

Whilst the restoration of the rest of the ferry network gets underway, an additional temporary ferry replacement bus will service the areas between Apollo Road and the City. The P233 Bus Service will operate from 6.30 am to 8 am and then again from 4 pm to 5.30 pm.

A temporary personalised public transport (PPT) service from Hamilton to Fortitude Valley will also be introduced. The free hail-and-ride service will be provided by Maxi-taxis “which will pick up and drop residents on a loop from Northshore Hamilton to Teneriffe via Bretts Wharf.”

The Hamilton to Fortitude Valley PPT timetable is as follows:

Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm hourly
Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm every 20 minutes
Saturday from 6 am to 2 pm hourly
Saturday evening from 3 pm to 11 pm every 20 minutes
Sunday from 6 am to 2 pm hourly
Sunday evening from 3 pm to 10 pm every 20 minutes

Then, services covering the rest of the New Farm and Bulimba peninsulas will also return under stage two of the plan.

Lastly, Stage 3 will bring back the connecting services to the city at Riverside or Howard Smith Wharves; Southbank and Mowbray Park; and Bretts Wharf, Apollo Road and Northshore Hamilton.

“While this work and the repairs at other terminals will take some time, we are in a far better position than we were following the 2011 floods in which seven terminals were completely destroyed and took years to replace,” Cr Murphy said.

“These new terminals worked the way they were designed, which was to deflect heavy impacts from debris and have their gangways swing open when the water reaches significant speed.”

Dance And Sing With Queensland Ballet, Humphrey B Bear In New Series Of Free Videos For Kids

Dancers from Queensland Ballet in West End will have special appearances in the Humphrey B. Bear’s series of free educational videos and resources created by Monash University’s AllPlay team.

Read: Here Are Some Harris Farm Markets Recipes You Should Try For School Lunch Boxes

Queensland Ballet is among AllPlay’s ambassadors who will be featured in the series, along with AllPlay Dancers and AFL Disability League.

This series, which stars the iconic Humphrey B. Bear was launched with an aim to help educators and parents support children of all ages and abilities to regulate their emotions through movement and better settle back into school life.

It includes a music and dance collaboration of original songs and music videos for children with disabilities to be released in AllPlay and AllPlay Learn.

The series kicks off with three songs and videos: ‘Angry Pixie Stomp’, ‘Shake My Blues Away’ and ‘So Calm’ feature original music compositions by Corinne Gibbons, lyrics by Julie Greene, production by FIKA Entertainment.

Professor Nicole Rinehart, Director of Research at Monash University’s Krongold Clinic and founder of the AllPlay program, highlights how research shows that emotion regulation through movement and labelling is a simple but effective way of helping kids build resilience and coping skills.

According to Monash University, 1 in 6 children in Australia experiences developmental challenges or disabilities which can impact how they participate in school.

humphrey b bear free printable — Printable movement card (Photo credit: AllPlay)

“Humphrey B. Bear has always been a leader when it comes to inclusion. He loves exploring, creating, playing, learning and giving anything a go. Humphrey was the perfect choice to be the face of music videos that can help children understand their emotions and recognise them in themselves and others,” says Professor Rinehart.

AllPlay Learn takes a strengths-based approach to disability and turns this into tools and strategies that everyone can access.

“Ten years ago, we set out to change the status quo for children with disabilities. Thanks to our great partnerships and research funding partners, we have made significant progress towards our goal to make the world fit for all kids,” says Professor Rinehart.

The resources, which include movement cards aside from videos, can be viewed at https://allplay.org.au/humphrey-b-bear/.