Queensland Archives - West End Today

delicious. Celebrates The Flavours of West End

Three West End dining places have recently been recognised at the ‘delicious. 100 Best of the Best’ awards as standout gastronomic experiences in a suburb where the dining scene has grown increasingly eclectic and diverse.

Quan Thanh’s Luscious Laksa Secures Second Spot for the Laksa Category

At Quan Thanh, a family-run establishment, the aroma of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Malaysian fusion cuisine tantalises taste buds. Their famed laksas, embracing vermicelli and hokkien noodles, deliver a symphony of flavours. Options abound: chicken, beef, barbecue pork, vegetables, crispy skin chicken, roast duck, or the signature seafood mix featuring squid, prawns, fish, puffed tofu, and fish balls. The daring can opt for an extra spicy kick, elevating the culinary adventure.

Quan Thanh on Facebook

Cà Phê Nam’s Authentic Pho Transports Palates to Hanoi

Cà Phê Nam, nestled amidst West End’s vibrant tapestry, claims the fifth spot for the Pho category, offering an authentic taste of Hanoi with its fragrant Pho. This culinary haven perfects the art of Pho, achieving a delicate sweetness through meticulous simmering and herbal balance. Tender beef, silky noodles, and a harmonious combination tantalise the senses, capturing the essence of this Vietnamese classic.

Cà Phê Nam on Facebook

Anita Gelato: A Sweet Symphony in Third Place for Ice Cream Category

Anita Gelato, the Brisbane outpost of a globally-renowned gelato shop, beckons dessert enthusiasts with queues that snake out its doors. Crafted using the freshest local ingredients, their hand-made frozen delights encompass over 150 diverse varieties. From frozen yoghurts and sorbets to sugar-free, fat-free, soy-based, and real cream-based ice creams, flavours like Snickers and pavlova tempt those seeking pure indulgence.

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Published 18-December-2023

Car Theft Claims Rise in Inner City Brisbane as Number of Offences Rise Statewide

Photo Credit: The Digital Way/Pixabay

Incidents of car theft claims in Brisbane’s inner city have had a 39.8 per cent increase between 2021 to 2022, amidst a growing number of vehicular offences statewide.

In West End, authorities are dealing with recurring issues of car park security in high-rise buildings, especially at prominent sites. Unit owners are constantly reminded to lock their cars and never leave valuable items inside, especially not in the compartment.

In December 2022, data from the Queensland Police Services showed the highest number of car theft incidents across the region with 2,133 cars stolen within the month. The region’s previous highest record was logged in March 2001 with 1,834 incidents.

On the other hand, RACQ warned motorists about stolen cars as early as August 2022 after noting an increase in claims in the last financial year. At that time, Brisbane’s inner city claims were at 31 per cent but this has apparently increased to 39.8 per cent by the end of 2022.

Data from the Children’s Court Serious Repeat Offender Index showed that nearly half of the vehicular offences are done by kids between the ages of 10 to 17, prompting a debate on new laws that could include longer prison terms or penalties for youth car thieves. In response, Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini has been tasked to command the new Youth Crime Taskforce with an aim to divert youth offenders away from prison.

“Keeping children in detention is not the end solution,” Mr Marchesini said during the press release. “We need to look at how we break that cycle of reoffending.”

The Queensland Government is also planning to spend $10 million on 20,000 engine immobilisers in areas where car thefts are rampant. These devices are embedded into cars to disable their starting mechanism if done illegally.

However, RACQ believes that immobilisers will do little to reduce car thefts. Instead, Andrew Kirk, RACQ’s principal technical researcher said car owners must always lock their car doors and keep their keys out of sight.

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.