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Here’s Where You Can Join A Senior Ballet Class in West End

What’s keeping older Brisbane women fit and active these days? In West End, it’s attending a senior ballet class at the Queensland Ballet studio!

Since the Queensland Ballet opened the program for older women in 2017, the senior ballet classes have been receiving more students who have been reaping the rewards of dancing. They are physically improving their posture, control of bodily functions and agility.

The senior ballet classes are conducted for eight weeks at the Beesley Street studio, whilst there is also a two-day training course for the teachers, who are then sent to the Gold Coast, Cairns, Mackay and Hervey Bay to train more senior women.

Photo Credit: Queensland Ballet/Facebook

According to Genevieve Dunn, the organisation’s head of community engagement, ageing women are taught ballet techniques to enjoy and to connect with their peers.

The focus isn’t on executing a perfect routine but on physical fitness and enjoyment. The sessions are purposely repetitive so that the women could re-invigorate muscles they have stopped using, which makes them more active and energetic.

A study from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) underscored the many benefits of attending a senior ballet class.

“Some of the participants reported that they found the classes positively euphoric and transformational in the pleasure they felt at being part of such weekly social engagement,” Professor Gene Moyle of the QUT’s Creative Industries Faculty said. “The physical benefits of movement and dance on ageing bodies is well documented and our project really re-enforces these findings, however additionally highlights the joy and benefits social connections in dance can bring to people’s lives.”

To learn more about Ballet for Seniors, as well as Jazz for Seniors and Dance for Parkinson’s contact community@queenslandballet.com.au or sign up for the classes online.

Now Open! Harris Farm Markets West End Flagship Store

“A flavour-filled showcase of Queensland and Australian produce under one roof.” This is how Tristan Harris, co-CEO of Harris Farm Markets, describes their flagship West End store as it finally opens.

Enter the food mecca beginning 4 June 2021 with heaps to find at Harris Farm Markets in West Village. Taking up more than 1,800 square metres on the ground floor of the historic 1920s Peters Ice Cream building, here are some great finds.

Milk on Tap, Loose Coffee & Tea, Honey on Tap

Similar to Harris Farm Markets in Clayfield, the West End store will have its very own Milk on Tap corner offering the creamy goodness of Maleny Dairy, Barambah Organics and Oat Milk from Inside Out.

Lund Coffee from Bowen Hills will supply eight types of roasted loose bean options and 20 loose teas. There will be four lines of Gold Coast’s Pour Your Own honey on tap as well, a first for Harris Farm.

Nut Butters, Danny’s Boulangerie, Salumi Deli

Also another first? The self-serve Almond, Peanut and Cashew Butter, which will be great to pair with the artisan, organic baked goods from Teneriffe’s very own Danny’s Boulangerie.

The bread choices would also be perfect for whatever you can find at the Cheese Alley, marked as a turophile’s haven with 500 kinds of cheese, including a range of vegan and local stars Barambah, Woombye and Casa Motta.

Imperfect Picks

Harris Farm Markets’ popular Imperfect Picks program will also be carried over at the West End shop. It’s where visually unappealing, yet still equally delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables go.

“Our West End flagship store will be home to the best in fruit and vegetables, including a huge organic fruit & veg section and a leaderboard of Queensland flavours, a gourmet grocery section of boutique local products, an extensive deli and offering of more than 500 cheeses, a local bakery section with the best breads such as sourdough and brioche from our Teneriffe mates Danny’s, and a premium meat selection,” Tristan said.

This flagship store will also carry Brisbane’s most famous food brands: Sol breads, Roza’s Sauces, CJ’s Pasta, My Berries, Madders Brothers Patisserie sweet treats, and Woggoon Farm honey and edible flowers.

Shoppers visiting Harris Farm Markets West End are advised to park on Mollison Street for their convenience.

Harris Farm Markets Officially Opens in West End

The wait is finally over! More than six months after Harris Farm Markets announced it’s coming to West End, the doors of the family-owned enterprise will finally swing open and welcome shoppers at its Brisbane flagship store.

On Friday, 4 June 2021, Harris Farm Markets at the West Village on Boundary Street will begin trading over 500 lines of fruit and vegetables, 500 kinds of cheese, four kinds of Pour Your Own Honey, three direct pour milk variants, and 150 plant-based and vegan products from the popular Imperfect Picks brand.

The new supermarket takes up 1,800 square metres of warehouse space on the ground floor of the historic Peters Ice Cream and it will be a “flavour-filled showcase” of local products from Queensland and Australia.

The West End shop will serve as the headquarters, where the priority is to showcase local concession partnerships between the store and producers. After all, Queensland is known for its range of quality-grown vegetables and fruits, especially strawberries and mangoes.

Expectedly, the West End supermarket will have a large section of organic produce that will cater to the popular dietary needs of the locals. The store will also have a gourmet section for boutique products, extensive deli choices, a range of freshly-baked bread, and choices of premium meat.

Harris Farm Markets has been in operation across Australia for more than 40 years, with more than 25 stores. Its other Brisbane shop is in Clayfield, which opened in late 2020. The site once belonged to the Harris family 30 years ago, before it became Clayfield Markets, owned by Carlo and Susan Lorenti. The Lorentis are now the managers of Harris Farm Market Clayfield.

A Look Inside the New Eco-Friendly Woolworths Store in West End

From trolleys made from recycled milk bottles to LED lights that brighten the store, the new eco-friendly Woolworths outlet in West End promises to operate with a reduced carbon footprint.

Opened in mid-May 2021, the West Village supermarket has been tipped to bring a new shopping experience for locals of this suburb, who are known to embrace the tree hugger lifestyle. For instance, at this Woolworths, they can enjoy freshly made banana bread baked using ingredients from the store’s food wastage (unsold overripe bananas) every day.

The store will be operating at 15 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to any other Queensland location. The site has provided 130 bicycle slots for customers and workers, whilst there are changing stations for customers driving electric cars.

The Woolworths West Village outlet has also partnered with local farmers to supply customers with 100 percent Australian grown produce and meat. The butcher section, sourced from local suppliers as well, allows customers to order a specific cut whilst they wait.

Shoppers could also drop off their recyclables like soft plastics and coffee pods at this store, as well as their old mobile phones or used batteries.

However, it remains to be seen if residents from West End and the nearby inner-city suburbs will patronise this green store as various protests marred the supermarket’s development. There were campaigns against its construction as the store was big but had little green spaces and it looked out of character.

Enjoy a Quiet Breakfast at Red Bowler West End

Photo credit:Facebook/Red Bowler Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar

Eager to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and unwind at a vintage coffee lounge and bar? Red Bowler in West End offers a moment of reprieve coupled with breakfast meals and delicious beverages.

Red Bowler, a coffee lounge and wine bar located along West End’s Duncan St, offers its customers a curated selection of teas with options such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Peppermint, and Lemongrass and Ginger — all priced at $4.60. Kombucha, sparkling water, and fruit juice is also available for order.

Available in their coffee menu are classic brews such as cappuccinos, espressos, chai lattes, mochaccinos, and many others. Customers can also indulge themselves with some chocolate, iced or hot, as well as iced lattes and long blacks.

Last but not least, Red Bowler offers a variety of wines and beers which are complemented by the restaurant’s rustic ambience. With a mix of retro and antique furniture dimly lit by lamplight, the lounge serves as an excellent retreat from the bright and busy atmosphere outside its walls.

All of these beverages can be partnered with an assortment of snacks. Roasted nuts, marinated olives, fresh bread and butter, as well as dip are all available to order to complement drinks. Meals good for two are also sold exclusively on weekends.

Their breakfast plate, dubbed Day Break, is only available on Saturdays and Sundays. The dish consists of avocado mash, preserved lemon, smoked butter and lemon oil with artichoke, tomatoes and capsicum relish topped off by a choice of either salmon or ham, two small bowls of yoghurt, and a freshly toasted sourdough bagel.

Photo credit: Facebook/Red Bowler Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar

Reviewers raved over the lounge’s ambience in particular, commenting that it was “chilled”, “fabulous”, or simply “beautiful. The coffee also comes highly recommended, and customers have lauded Red Bowler for its excellent service as well.

Red Bowler Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar can be found at 15 Duncan St, West End, open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends. For more information, and for the latest updates concerning the cafe, follow their Facebook page.

Popular Anita Gelato Opens First Queensland Store in West End

Anita Gelato, the famous gelateria founded by a mother and son team from Israel, will be serving up the sweetest and creamiest scoops for the very first time in Queensland once its West End outlet opens.

Known for its over-the-top flavours and Instagram-worthy servings, Anita Gelato always has customers lining up at its stores in Barcelona, New York, Tel-Aviv and Sydney. In the middle of June 2021, Brisbane locals will finally get to taste why this gelato has a cult-like following around the world.

Owner Adi Avital is proud that their first Queensland store at Peters Ice Cream Factory will “carry the mantle” for the historic Australian ice cream brand. Right from the start, the Avitals knew that they found their home in Brisbane when they saw their Boundary location. Peters Ice Cream Factory stopped churning ice cream at their West End factory over 25 years ago.

Anita Gelato offers 150 flavours of tasty, cold delights like gelato, frozen-yoghurt, sorbet and other icy treats, including sugar-free varieties. Every sweet treat at this ice cream store is handmade using 100 percent natural ingredients. The syrups and jams are prepared straight from the kitchen of Mama Anita, the family matriarch.

Nearly 20 years ago, the Avitals opened their small-scale ice cream shop in Tel Aviv to feed their neighbours and friends. Then Adi’s son, Nir, started developing ice cream using Mama Anita’s jams for the flavour boost, which became a hit. This ushered their expansion in other parts of the world but to this day, the jams, syrups and chocolate toppings are still made fresh in their home kitchen under Anita’s supervision.

The exact date for the opening of Anita Gelato in West End has not yet been announced. Follow their Facebook page for updates.

New Twists on Classic Italian Dishes at Mario’s West End

Mario’s, one of the hottest Italian aperitivo bars and restaurants in West End, offers Brisbane a range of exciting dishes with unique twists — each complemented by a curated selection of wines and liqueurs.

Founded by veteran chef Raffaele Persichetti, the Italian aperitivo bar and restaurant offers West End interesting takes on classic dishes such as lobster lasagna, funghi calzone fritto, and scampi crudo with buffalo milk stracciatella and raspberry dust.

The restaurant can be found at the site of chef Raffaele’s old Italian restaurant, Luigi’s, which he closed down in 2020 to pursue new and innovative concepts. The product of his experimentation is the all-new Mario’s, which opened in 2020.

Prior to opening his new Italian restaurant, chef Raffaele also opened a Mexican joint in West End called “Mama Taco”, which is still bustling with orders to this day.

Given the restaurant’s ever-changing selection of dishes, degustation menus are available that come complete with matching wines, however those who wish to order à la carte are free to do so as well.

Mario’s is more than just a restaurant, however. An aperitivo bar first and foremost, their selection of alcoholic beverages offers numerous wines and liqueurs that have been curated to match the meals available in their menus.

Reviewers raved over the restaurant’s selection of alcohol, pleased with the cocktails and the wine choices in particular. The service has been described as “faultless” and “crazy good”, and the restaurant’s menu has been commended by many customers — with standout dishes such as their five-cheese gorgonzola and the venison crepe.

Mario’s Brisbane can be found at 67/69 Hardgrave Rd, West End, open Thursday to Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until late. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on meals, deals, and other special announcements concerning the restaurant.

Year-long Construction at Infamous West End Intersection Overstays Its Welcome

Construction for a $10.4 million upgrade to a prominent West End intersection has been ongoing for over 12 months, and residents are beginning to get frustrated as they have been forced to navigate around the worksite for over a year now.

The development, which costs a total of $10.4 million, was first approved three years ago and it revolves around the implementation of new upgrades to make one particularly dangerous intersection in West End safer. Such improvements include much-needed lights.

People within the vicinity have grown increasingly frustrated over what should have been temporary inconveniences that have now resulted in a worksite that has begun to overstay its welcome. Businesses nearby are suffering as entering stores or finding parking becomes inconvenient for would-be customers.

Installing lights has been particularly difficult due to the complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that took place as a result. This, on top of wet weather towards the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, has had unfavourable impacts on the project’s delivery.

Noise pollution brought about by the sounds of construction has also deterred customers from making use of nearby cafes and restaurants, much to the chagrin of local business owners.

Construction at the intersection, which is located at the corner of Montague Road and Victoria Street, has been in the works for 12 months now. These upgrades were scheduled to be finished by March 2021, however it is estimated that construction will finish closer to June.

Archive Beer Boutique: West End Craft Beer Pioneer Up For Sale

The head lease of Archive Beer Boutique, a pioneer in the craft beer market in Brisbane, has been put up for sale. Aushotel Group has appointed CBRE to steer the deal of this landmark West End pub.

This is an opportunity for a new operator to make a mark in the ever-evolving craft beer market for the long term. The sale comes with a full, commercial late-trading liquor licence and the chance to build three bottle shops within 10 kilometres of the site.

Archive Beer Boutique is on Boundary Street and has thrived in this premier location for more than a decade. CBRE’s Paul Fraser said that the pub’s location, size and scale, and long tenure could easily generate interest from investors. The pub sits opposite West Village, which is undergoing urban renewal.

Photo Credit: Ezi Digital Australia/Google Maps

The pub also enjoys a loyal following, even amidst a global crisis, and the hospitality industry has to adjust and adapt to the new normal. Fraser said that the vendor of the property has been looking to enjoy semi-retirement and offload his assets as the hospitality sector bounces back from COVID-19.

Aushotel Group’s managing director, Jim Davies, said that Archive continues to be a “volume driver for many craft brands” even as different craft brews have been setting shop in Brisbane.

Archive Beer Boutique spans 1,419 square metres and was recently renovated with a main restaurant on the ground floor and a Loft Bar for functions and evens on the second floor.

Wandering Cooks Transitioning from Fish Lane to Vulture Street in West End

For the last eight years, Wandering Cooks has been a comfortable hangout for foodies frequenting the open-air location on Fish Lane and Cordelia Streets in West End. It has also been instrumental in launching and supporting local food businesses in Brisbane. Since February 2021, however, the food and markets hive has been slowly transitioning into a new space nearby.

In the middle of the year, Wandering Cooks will be permanently settled at the Farm Gate on 63 Vulture Street. In fact, its weekly Urban Produce Market has already been taking place at the new site every Saturday between 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More events and surprises will be revealed about this new location in the coming months.

Whilst the transition is ongoing, the food and bar corner at its old West End location will continue to trade and accept walk-ins. Large groups beyond 11 people will have to book a reservation in advance. As per usual, the restaurant will still deliver its sustainable food choices with a changing menu every week to highlight local growers and producers.

In June 2020, Wandering Cooks director Angela Hicks hinted about the transition amid the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Incubation will still be at the heart of what we do, and so will other food businesses, but stronger still will be our focus on making products ourselves,” she wrote.

“This will allow us to act directly on the opportunities for small farms we want to see proliferate in this post Covid world. Their successes will be our successes. We’ll employ chefs, we’ll partner with others, and we’ll nurture new food business dreamers, like Thilakshi Munasingha, by employing them, so that their food becomes our food. Together, the farmers and this team of Cooks, will bind our stories together.”

In line with its transition, the restaurant is also hiring more staff and team players. Interested individuals may email el@wanderingcooks.com.au about the job openings.