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Vegetarian Restaurant Offers All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Photo Credit: Govindas- Brisbane ( Pure Vegetarian )/Facebook

Plant-based food does not always have to mean boring and bland. Govinda’s, a purely vegetarian restaurant in West End, proves exactly that.

The restaurant is one of Brisbane’s longest running vegetarian restaurants serving wholesome food to happy and healthy diners for over 12 years. Food is cooked fresh daily and the ingredients are sourced from carefully curated providers to ensure the highest quality.

Govinda’s has all the best flavours of meat-free Indian dishes. You can feast on mixed vegetable curry, lentil soup, savoury veggie puffs, fresh tomato and herb chutney, lentil tortillas, or fresh garden salad.

When you’re craving for something sweet, taste their Halava, a South Asian version of Semolina fruit pudding made more delicious with the added custard.

For $12, you can enjoy their all-you-can eat buffet and drinks like their homemade ginger and mint lemonade.

Govinda’s at West End is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and dinner on weekdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. They are located at 82 Vulture Street , West End.

Aside from their West End location, they also have two more locations across the city. One is n Brisbane CBD and the other one is in Fortitude Valley.

For more information about this pure vegetarian restaurant, check out their website or give them a call at 0404 173 027.

RACQ Calls for Car Access in Proposed West End to Toowong Bridge

Whilst RACQ welcomed Lord Mayor Schrinner’s plan to build five additional green bridges across Brisbane, the State’s peak motoring body stressed disappointment over the proposed West End to Toowong bridge.

After being officially appointed as Brisbane’s new lord mayor last 8 April 2019, Chandler ward councillor Adrian Schrinner announced that he plans to build additional green bridges across Brisbane to help reduce traffic congestion and enhance cross-river connectivity:

Kangaroo Point Green Bridge – a pedestrian/cycle bridge for which the Council is currently undertaking a business case.
Toowong to West End Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
St Lucia to West End Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
Breakfast Creek Green Bridge – a pedestrian/cycle bridge connecting Kingsford Smith Drive Riverwalk into the existing Riverwalk network.
Bellbowrie Green Bridge – a potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge, with emergency access.

The said program is going to cost at least $500 million, of which the Council will shoulder at least two-thirds whilst the rest of the funding contributions will be sought from the State and Federal governments.

The proposal reflects the residents’ sentiment as shown in the 2017 Bridging Brisbane campaign, RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.

The survey was conducted from 28 April – 30 June 2017, and the results revealed that an overwhelming number of respondents support 10 out of 12 proposed new or upgraded river crossings.

A welcome news but…

Whilst the Club applauds the Brisbane City Council “for stepping up to create new green bridges across the city,” the exclusion of traffic lanes for cars in the proposed West End to Toowong bridge, to them, was disappointing.

“We know that western corridor has some of the slowest traffic times in Brisbane and we’d call on Council to help alleviate that pressure,” RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said.

“West End faces the prospect of becoming a car park with the closure of Victoria Bridge to drivers and the lack of vehicular access across the river to the west.

“Not only do we need investment in public transport and active transport infrastructure but we need to ensure Brisbane motorists have access to free alternative routes that minimise delays by car.

Video Credit: RACQOfficial / YouTube

“We would like also to see Council consider duplicating the Walter Taylor Bridge at Indooroopilly to mitigate the bottlenecks we see created every morning and evening there during peak hour.”

The Club also hopes that the Council will be able to secure additional funding from the State and/or Federal government.

“We know attempts to attract funding and planning cooperation across all levels of government has proven problematic in the past, and we hope all three tiers see the sense in working together to ensure Brisbane doesn’t grind to halt – whether its residents are on foot, on a bike, on public transport or behind the wheel.”

Make Your Own Mini Japanese Garden at This West End Workshop

Creating a miniature Japanese garden can be gratifying and you can learn how to make one at this three-hour workshop at Mappin’s Nursery & Aquarium on Montague Road in West End.

Conducted by Kent Florist, the miniature Japanese garden workshop is set for Sunday, the 2nd of June 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The class is for $95 per person, which already covers the cost of materials like the plants, driftwood, gravel, pottery, rocks, and the container.

*Photo Credit:* *Kent Florist Brisbane Mikiko Inoue/Facebook*

Mikoko Inoue, the owner of Kent Florist, has almost two decades of experience as a florist and a wedding provider. She has worked on film sets, on commercial environments and in various functions for business and governments.

Ms Inoue will teach students what materials go well and what shouldn’t be arranged together during the miniature Japanese garden workshop. She will also guide students on how to create artistic designs despite the space constraints of a small container.

Doing miniature gardens as a hobby helps people connect with nature and highlight their creative side. It may also take them back to their childhood and remind them of how fun it was to assemble, construct or build doll houses, figures, vehicles and other objects.

Green tea and Japanese treats will be served at the workshop. You may claim your spot and pay for the ticket online.

This ‘Secret’ Pasta Bar Brings A Taste of Italy in West End

Photo Credit: CJ's Secret Pasta/Facebook

Looking for a restaurant away from the crowds? Check out CJ’s Secret Pasta, an intimate 14-seater located in a backstreet of West End’s foodie quarter.

This tiny restaurant is perfect for families and small groups, because aside from the private dining experience and the sumptuous food, you get to dine in an ultra-casual fashion with the venue’s warm ambience.

Like a typical Italian cuisine, the menu is simple but every food served is made of the freshest ingredients plus this pasta club is BYO-friendly, so you can bring your favourite wine or beer with you.

It’s like visiting your grandmother’s house for dinner or having a little Italy of your own in West End’s busy neighborhood.

Executive chef Dario Milano and his team takes care of the ever-changing menu to give you a taste of authentic North Italian dishes like gnocchi, ricotta, and the classic lasagne.

The menu is straightforward and whilst it changes every day, you can always expect pasta with a creamy sauce or some sort of ragu or bolognaise.

Owner Leila Amirparviz, who’s also behind The Spaghetti House Trattoria in South Bank, just wanted to have a small yet flexible and pleasant space for guests.

You can find a few tables in the casual fit-out, made beautiful by the mix-and-match chairs, and Anna Markey’s candles and ceramics.

Ms Amirparviz said they have a flexible menu, like when guests want a rocket salad, they can actually whip one up.

CJ’s Secret Pasta Club is located at 26 Hoogley Street West End and opens on weekdays from noon until 8:00 pm.

For further information about the restaurant, check out their website or follow them on Facebook.

Brisbane’s New Lord Mayor Announces New Green Bridges for West End

(Photo Credit: Kgbo/ Wikimedia Commons)

Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has promised five new green bridges across the city and two of them will be in West End.

One of the proposed connections would be from West End to St Lucia whilst the other one will be connecting the suburb to Toowong.

There are possibilities that the bridges will be like the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, the first bridge in Australia exclusively designed for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Cr Schrinner shared a picture of the Eleanor Schonell bridge on his Twitter account, along with an announcement that his team is committed to building new green bridges in the Brisbane River to “ensure the city is cleaner, greener, and more active.”

As Lord Mayor elect, today I have announced that our team is committed to building 5 new Green Bridges on the Brisbane River. This is all about ensuring our city is cleaner, greener & more active. #buildingandprotectingBNE pic.twitter.com/bI9B45FiCw— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) March 31, 2019

The new green bridges, which could cost more than half a billion dollars, are expected to be delivered within five to 10 years.

Cr Schrinner, who wants to focus on green spaces and liveability, added that the three other proposed connections would be in Kangaroo Point, Breakfast Creek and Bellbowrie.

West End to Toowong

Cr Schrinner said they are looking at options regarding the best location of the bridge and among the considered locations is the former ABC site in Toowong.

He revealed that they are considering purchasing the now privately owned former ABC site for the West End to Toowong bridge.

“There are a number of locations where a bridge can be built between West End and Toowong, we want to get the right location,” he said.

Earlier this month, State Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman and Councillor for The Gabba Jonathan Sri launched a community survey in Toowong and found that majority of the residents surveyed support a new footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the suburb to West End.

Mr Berkman said the former ABC site could be an idyllic riverfront park and a perfect landing point for a walking and cycling bridge connecting West End and Toowong.

Apart from further discussions with residents, Mr Berkman said they will be consulting engineering, planning and design experts for the exact location and design of the footbridge.

West End to St Lucia

In 2017, the University of Queensland already proposed a master plan for their St Lucia campus, calling for a new pedestrian bridge linking the campus to West End.

The university backed down from their plans after Brisbane City Council said it had no intentions of funding construction of the bridge, which UQ said it would not be offering to build itself.

As of 2017, there were 99,000 commuter trips to the university each day and 63 percent of them made by public transport or bike.

Cr Schrinner said this just shows the demand for a new bridge going to the University of Queensland.

Design for New Dutton Park State High School Unveiled

(Photo Credit: Queensland Government)

The public can finally have a first look at the master plan and designs of the new high school at Dutton Park.

Designed by Brisbane-based architects BVN, the school will feature state-of-the-art learning and innovative teaching hubs that are close to a contemporary college design than a traditional high school.

Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad said a group of principals, education consultants and architects had been working since 2018 on the initial design of the campus.

Inner City South SSC master plan (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

The school will be built on a triangular parcel of land on Gladstone Road near the Harmony Gardens and the Gair Park.

“The learning plaza will become the central gathering space at the school and provides a strong sense of community in this inner-urban context,” Ms Trad said.

Apart from a learning oasis and a creative hub, the master plan shows the school will also have an active park, outdoor court, multi-purpose hall, health and well-being hub, productive garden, and a pocket park.

Artist impression of the entrance atrium (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

Ms Trad encourages the community to provide feedback about the concept master plan.

“I encourage the local community to take the time to look at the concept drawings and images and provide their thoughts and feedback. This will shape the detailed design that the design team will finalise in coming months,” Ms Trad said.

The first community feedback session will be held on 23 April 2018 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Dutton Park State School library.

It will be followed by two more sessions at the Gair Park on 27 April 2019 from 10:00 am to noon and on 4 May 2019 from noon until 2:00 pm.

Attendees are requested to pre-register at the Building Future Schools website.

Residents who cannot attend the community sessions may also lodge a feedback online until 12 May 2019.

Dutton Park State School Opening

An artist impression of the creative hub on Annerley Road (Photo credit: Queensland Government)

Based on projected timeline, the new high school at Dutton Park should be complete before 2021 to allow Year 7 students to commence in Term 1.

The school will add a year level until 2026 when the school will offer Year 7 to Year 12.

It is part of the $800 million Building Future Schools program of the Queensland government aiming to deliver new state schools in growth area across the state, support the master-planning of inner city state schools, and invest in existing school assets and making strategic land acquisitions for the future.

Dutton Park State School is just one out of the 35 master planned inner Brisbane state schools under the BFS program.

The program will also establish new secondary colleges in the north and south, deliver six new schools, and expand schools like the Kelvin Grove State College Ballet Academy and West End State School.

Brisbane State High School: Among the Best and Most Sought-After State School

Suburbs will benefit from rising demand as parents look for a home to buy in the sought-after state school catchment areas, such as the top performing Brisbane State High School, experts say.

Using the NAPLAN results, Better Education website’s list of top high schools ranked schools according to their State overall scores, from the highest score of 100 to the lowest of 60. Brisbane State High School was top-ranked, which scored a perfect 100. Based on OP/IBD results, on the other hand, Brisbane State High School ranked third among public schools in Qld with 50 percent of students receiving OP 1-5.

As families with school-aged children seek for homes to buy in the catchment, sought-after schools are also pushed to capacity, forcing the government put some state schools, like the Brisbane State High School, under Education Queensland catchment management plans, to control out-of-catchment enrolments.

*Photo Credit: Queensland Government / qgso.qld.gov.au*

The 2018-released new school catchment map coupled with the 2018 NAPLAN and OP outcomes, will work to the advantage of those suburbs that remained in the zone, experts predict.

The median house price in West End as at 31 December 2018, was $1,042,500 or 4.25 percent higher than it was in 2017. Fifty-two houses were sold from 1 Mar 2018 – 1 Mar 2019, according to realestate.com.au, bringing the new median house price in West End at $1,080,000, higher than the state average of $495,000.

Tens of thousands of dollars premium on a house is but a small price to pay, though, to get a home in the prized public school catchment zone, as parents view it as an investment both in their home and their children’s education.

Brisbane Ice Cream Festival at West End Just Got Cooler With Late Night Eats

Photo Credit: Brisbane Ice Cream Festival/Facebook

For the third year in a row, West End is hosting another Brisbane Ice Cream Festival at the Peters Ice Cream Factory. This time, however, the special event is raising the bar since it’s happening for two days, with an Ice Cream Festival Up Late to boot.

On the 23rd and 24th of March, head to Boundary Street by 11:00 a.m. to get dibs on the finest ice creams in Brisbane. There will be plenty of cones, gelati, and popsicles for everyone since the vendors are prepared to serve guests until 5:00 p.m.

*Photo Credit:* *Brisbane Ice Cream Festival/Facebook*

Aside from the daytime weekend romp, there will also be an Up Late event for the cooler big kids. This party is all about enjoying ice cream and booze together, along with cocktails, canapés, and casseroles. Up Late happens on Friday, the 22nd of March, at 7:30 p.m. at The Deck WV.

The following night is reserved for the Chef’s Playground at The Bromley Room on Peters Ice Cream Factory. Renowned chefs like Philip Johnson, Paul McGivern, Ben Williamson, and Dominique Rizzo will be demonstrating how they prepare and create sumptuous and stunning desserts.

Around 17 ice cream brands are joining this year’s festivities, such as:

Vendors of gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan ice creams will also be available for guests with special diet needs.

Brisbane Ice Cream Festival is a ticket-only event. Reservations have been opened since the 1st of March.

Next Episode Bar: A Hidden Speakeasy in Brisbane’s Coolest Laneway

Photo Credit: Next Episode/Facebook

What happens to a barbershop when you throw in a “hidden” bar at the back? Lots of F-U-N and the most popular cuts in town, that’s what! Imagine partying at a hidden speakeasy where you could enjoy cocktails as the DJ spins all the freshest hits.

Tucked away in the back streets of South Brisbane, Next Episode is a barbershop by day and a lounge by night. Steve Pelecas merged two of his favourite things when he came up with Next Episode: fresh jams and fresher cuts. His love for hip-hop is evident on the cocktail menu with cocktails like I Got 99 Problems But A Drink Ain’t One and Cali Love.

Steve, who co-owns the bar with Johnny Garrison, is the scissor smith behind Barber Girl and The Men’s Lounge Barber.

The fun starts right from the point of entry to this 35-seater venue. To get in, you have to find the barbershop and unlock the secret door behind one of the mirrors by punching in the code of the week. The code, which you will punch in on a telephone, can be seen in Next Episode Bar’s social media pages. Way to go to generate traffic!

From the cosy nook outside, guests will be greeted with a neon-jungle aesthetic and murals of rap giants inside the hidden bar. The industrial decor is a reminiscent of intimate house party.

Cocktails such as the Hendricks Lamar and the Gin & Juice are the crowd favorites, but they got a few more drinks to offer. They have a concise collection of spirits, wine and champagne as well as taps dedicated for craft beers.

Located at 5 Cordelia St at the end of Fish Lane, the bar is a great place to hide on a Saturday night, though they are open on weekdays too. The barbershop operates Tuesday to Saturday until 5:30 pm while the bar takes over until midnight from Wednesday to Saturday.

Want to get the code or check out the new additions to their cocktail menu? Follow New Episode on Facebook or visit their website.

West End, Highgate Hill Motorists to Follow New Parking Scheme

Photo Credit: StockSnap/Pixabay

Brisbane City Council has approved a new parking scheme in West End and Highgate Hill.

The new parking rule will take effect beginning Monday, 18 March 2019, where a two-hour parking limit covering south of Brighton Road and west of Gladstone Road will be imposed from Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Some car owners with valid permits, however, may be excused from this two-hour limit in areas where there’s a sign showing “RESIDENTS PERMIT EXCEPTED.”

The new parking scheme is the Council’s solution to easing the traffic congestion in the inner-city streets. Some 60 per cent of the residents and business owners in the West End and Highgate Hill areas reportedly supported the initiative.

“Areas marked in blue will remain unlimited parking for everyone,” Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) wrote on his Facebook page. “In areas marked red, it will only be possible to park for two hours during the day on weekdays, unless you have a resident permit (in which case you can park as long as you want). No rules will change for weekends or nights.”

Mr Sri also said that more changes to the parking scheme might be in place before the implementation in March.

“The officers have tried to balance the competing needs of neighbouring residents. Some people wanted more of their street signed as resident permit parking, while others didn’t want any changes to their street,” the councillor said.

Residents who would like to get parking permits may start filing their application online by email, phone, or in person. They have to prepare supporting documents, such as a tenancy agreement and vehicle registration, to confirm their residency and car.

Tenants with a six-month lease, however, won’t be eligible for parking permits. Meanwhile, those who apply for parking permits online may get a hard copy. Residents are encouraged to call 3403 8888 for inquiries.