A glitzy new steakhouse arrives on James St, adding to the already world-class lineup of food destinations within walking distance of Newstead.

When opening a new restaurant on James St, you need to come correct on this glitzy slice of Brisbane’s food and beverage scene, which boasts some of the most celebrated eateries in the city – Hellenika, Gerard’s, Essa, SK Steak and Oyster, Same Same and Bianca among them.

It’s a switch-up from Fatcow’s original, temporary location, which was in the old Cha Cha Char premises at Eagle Street Pier while Dexus prepared its $2.5 billion overhaul of that precinct.

“I’ve always enjoyed what James Street does, so when this was presented to me, it was too good to refuse, so we went full steam ahead. But every operator here is at a higher calibre, and it feels like they all have the same drive and passion.”

Fatcow opened on Wednesday on the ground floor of the old boutique David Jones store on the intersection of James and McLachlan streets. The obvious restaurant to compare it to is SK Steak & Oyster at the opposite end of the precinct, but Fatcow is a different beast to that slick Simon Gloftis-owned operation, which is arguably the modern yardstick for steakhouses in this city.

Where SK is light and bright during the day and carries itself with a quiet glamour in the evening, Fatcow has been given a darker, moodier and slightly glitzy treatment by regular Tassis designers Clui Design.

The venue is furnished in black leather, timber and parquet floors, with white marble counters and mirrored ceilings. A signature feature is the tiled acoustic panelling that lines the venue’s walls. Much of the seating is arranged in intimate booths sectioned off from one another by sheer white curtains.

Steak is of course the hero of head chef Garry Newton’s menu, with Black Angus cuts ranging from a 180-gram, grass-fed eye fillet up to a 28-day dry-aged 800-gram T-bone that goes for $220. There’s also a wagyu menu from which you can order a 150-gram, 12-score A5 eye fillet for $165, or a fourth-cross tomahawk or rib on the bone that cost $22 and $38 respectively by the 100 gram.

All steaks are cooked on a parrilla grill over iron bark and served with a complimentary side, with sauces and other add-ons such as eggs and foie gras available for extra.

The wine list runs to more than 300 bottles and includes the requisite big Australian shirazes and cabernets alongside impressive selections of champagne, burgundy, New Zealand pinot and vintage Italian reds. There’s also a cocktail list that mixes signatures and classics, and includes an Old Fashioned menu.

“I’ve tried all my life to put value in things,” Tassis says. “If you’re going to spend $100 in my restaurant, I try to appreciate every dollar. For that price, I want to give you the best service, the best food, the best wine I possibly can, whether it’s $100, $200 or $50 – everyone’s welcome.”

Open daily 11.30am-late

10 James Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3123 5325

fatcowrestaurant.com.au

The Oxford Economics Residential Property Prospects report, reveals the city’s median unit price could jump more than 21 per cent in three years.

Maree Kilroy said a huge 44 per cent of the median gross household income in Brisbane was dedicated to weekly mortgage repayments.

“It’s very much a demand exceeding supply story,” Ms Kilroy said. “Demand fundamentals are expected to remain strong, with Queensland positioned at the front of the pack in terms of population growth.

“Brisbane has a lot of infrastructure being built, and it’s got the Olympics, so optimism around potential returns for investment is quite bright.”

Ms Kilroy said the pace of price growth was expected to slow towards the second half of this year, but would likely accelerate again if interest rates are cut.

“The consensus is we have hit a peak for rates and I think that’s boosted buyer sentiment,” she said.

“We expected fiscal 2026 to be the peak for Brisbane (house prices). We’re expecting the median house price to grow around 7 per cent that year.

“We expect when rates start to come down, affordablity will improve for those where saving for a deposit isn’t an issue, but for first homebuyers it’s still a massive hurdle.”

PropTrack economist Eleanor Creagh said the demand/supply imbalance in Brisbane would continue to drive price growth.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the price of a new home for an owner-occupier was 4.9 per cent higher on average than a year ago.

“This is partly the result of cost pressures in the new home building market,” Ms Wawn said.

“Building approvals are too low, meaning more needs to be done to encourage new housing supply.

“Whether it’s detached housing or higher density, the same constraints apply, including planning restrictions, lack of capacity to undertake critical infrastructure so land is home-building ready, high taxes and charges, slow approval processes, and workforce shortages.”

The popular Brisbane Pop-up for Baker D. Chirico announced today the hugely anticipated launch of their Easter Special Hot Cross Buns.

“People go crazy for them,” says Allona Goren, baker Daniel Chirico’s partner. “In our Melbourne Stores, we are known to clock records on the Thursday before Good Friday, selling anywhere between three and four thousand of them… We are excited to bring this same taste & hype to our Brisbane pop up!”

Soft and sweet, sourdough that is mixed with Australian sultanas, orange purée and a custom spice mix. Then baked, glazed and crossed with a white icing

Grab them by the unit or by the dozen. Trays of half a dozen buns are conveniently pre-packaged in thei signature Baker D.Chirico checkered bags. Ready for you to take home & enjoy with your loved ones.

Opening Hours:

Good Friday 29th : 7:30am – sold out
Saturday 30th : 8am – sold out

Located at the Long Island Piazza Pop-Up | 18 Longland Street, Newstead

Published earlier this year, the prestigious publication elevated Brisbane to its annual travel list for its “food, art and vertiginous views”, declaring it “a city gearing up for its Olympic moment”.

The global honour comes hot on the heels of TIME Magazine including Brisbane among its World’s Greatest Places of 2023, Fortitude Valley restaurant Agnes Restaurant crowned Gourmet Traveller‘s 2023 Restaurant of the Year and The Calile Hotel ranking 12th in The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said making The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2024 was the latest in a string of accolades for Brisbane.

“Our time has come. The world is recognising that Brisbane keeps getting better and this latest accolade from The New York Times is further proof,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Last year, both TIME Magazine and travel bible Frommer’s recognised Brisbane as a must-do destination in addition to the awards we won for having Australia’s best restaurant and hotel.

“Between our sub-tropical climate, world-class lifestyle precincts like Howard Smith Wharves and enviable access to natural assets, including Moreton Island, visitors from across the globe are discovering that Brisbane is an incredibly attractive place to be.

“Our relaxed outdoor lifestyle, clean and green suburbs and vibrant economy have also made us the fastest growing capital city in Australia with huge numbers of people from southern states eager to call Brisbane home.

“All this success is no accident and I’m confident our emergence as a must-do destination and great place to live will boost local business, create jobs and help make Brisbane even better.”

The New York Times reported a groundswell of excitement and revitalisation as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, drawing attention to the world-class $3.6B Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct and its 250m-long Sky Deck with bars and restaurants overlooking the Brisbane River.

In further admiration of Brisbane’s sky-high aspirations, the article enthusiastically reviewed Brisbane Powerhouse’s Vertigo restaurant – a vertical dining experience four stories high – as well as the cultural hub’s annual celebration of queer arts and artists, Melt Open.

Brisbane’s booming dining and leisure scene again drew deserved focus, praising the skilled chefs at Agnes Restaurant, spotlighting The Calile Hotel as “an oasis in the middle of the city” and previewing Queen’s Wharf Brisbane’s four new hotels including The Star Grand which is due to open later this year. 

The striking scandi-chic restaurant from the owners of Paddington hotspot NOTA, Launches brand new Breakfast Menu.

It’s not often that we get to saunter into one of Brisbane’s best restaurants for an early morning feed, but that is exactly what we plan on doing over at Allonda, which has just launched a brand-new breakfast service. The chic Newstead restaurant has expanded its offering with a modern-European-inspired take on some classic day starters, available from Tuesday to Saturday between 7:00–10:30 am.

The menu is headlined by Allonda’s take on the Dutch baby (a large German-style pancake that looks a bit like a Yorkshire pudding), which is available three ways – with Turkish eggs, garlic yoghurt and paprika butter, with smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise, or with bacon and scrambled eggs. Other options include a piadina with cavolo nero, asiago and prosciutto, a charred B.L.A.T., a breakfast bowl boasting Gilly’s leg ham, a soft-boiled egg, beets, greens and pickles, and wild mushrooms on toast.

The eatery is also pouring cups of specialty coffee from Bellissimo and cold-pressed juice from HRVST ST. Though walk-ins are welcome, those wanting to guarantee themselves a table for brekkie can make a booking via Allonda’s website.

Brisbane-Based wellness-lifestyle developer Cavcorp is pleased to unveil the opening of ‘TFP SPA’, which marks the final stage of the Monumental Total Fusion Platinum Health Club and Gym Experience, in Newstead, Brisbane. Complementing the already vast array of sophisticated offerings at TFP, the ‘Healing Lounge’, Day-Spa & Medi-Spa officially opens its doors on February 3rd. Upon opening, TFP SPA will stand as Australia’s largest indoor spa, welcoming a seamless blend of ancient relaxation practices with avant-garde medicinal methods & age defying bio-hacking therapies. Located on the ground floor of the 9,000sqm Wellness Centre, the TFP SPA designed by lauded interior architects, Caroline Choker & Vince Alafaci of ACME, will offer guests & members a holistic suite of Age-Defying treatments in an lush enclave unlike anything Australia has ever seen.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a discrete custom marble reception and directed to arched, landscaped waiting alcoves. Designer Caroline Choker has reimagined the material palette to blend seamlessly from experience to experience. The ‘sunken-healing-lounge’ showcases plush chaise lounges, illuminating glass-bricks, a meticulously sculpted travertine bar, spiritual crystal pendant and tranquil melodies, curating an atmosphere of pure elegance. Within this refined setting, patrons discover the pioneering benefits of IV Drip Vitamin Infusion, NASA-endorsed Red Light Therapy, Cryotherapy, HOCAT Ozone therapy, and PEMF therapies, all situated in their own private suites.

Adjacent to, and serving as a prelude to the day spa therapies, the ‘Glass-Brick-Waterfall’ elegantly accentuates the thermal-contrast therapy (Sauna, Steam Room & Ice Plunge), ushering guests along the ‘Kniepp Reflexology Stone Path’ and onwards to the ‘Sunken Relaxation Verdant Lounge’—a serene haven where mind and body synchronize in harmony pre or post treatment.

Secluded within, each of the 14 spacious breathable-lime plastered therapy sanctuaries are dedicated to advanced medical treatments, precisely tailored for rejuvenation and restoration. A highlight among these is the exclusive ‘Couples-Sculpted-Cave’, equipped with two original Ayurveda Beds and ‘Healing-Copper-Baths’, allowing couples to immerse themselves in a collective oasis of renewal and intimacy.

The regenerative roster of treatments draws on years of global-roaming experience led by Cavcorp CEO, Damien Cavallucci, and includes medical-grade laser skincare & hair removal, PRP, micro needling, DMK facials, specialised massages, spray-tanning booths, shockwave & bio-electric therapy, and a host of authentic ayurvedic therapies for the face & body.

The ‘Seven-Sense Biospheric’ ethos is evident in every corner and seamlessly integrates stone, timber and glass bricks with soothing elements like lime plaster, water, fire, and plants. This synergy offers members a ‘Seven-Sense Journey’ of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, movement, and balance, enriching quality of life & ensures that each breath is rejuvenating.

TFP SPA is open from Saturday, February 3^rd to members & non-members. Individual treatments can be booked via the website here: https://totalfusion.com.au/tfpspa/.

Cavale Residents will soon have access to special offers for treatments & therapies, as part of the Cavale+ Programme.  Keep an eye on your resident portal pages and ensure you are signed up to receive updates.

Heralding what’s to come for the Brisbane flagship, esteemed Melbourne bakery opens their doors to its summer pop-up in the Long Island Piazza.

As renowned Baker D. Chirco prepares to officially open the doors to his first flagship outpost bakery in Newstead, a pop-up slinging its signature hot bread and pastries opens, heralding more to come as we inch ever closer to its official launch.

Situated at the base of Cavcorp’s Long Island development on Longland Street. It’s here that Baker D. Chirico’s Newstead outpost has been taking shape – a striking March Studio-designed bakery and cafe from which Daniel Chirico and his team of hot-shot kneaders, shapers and bakers will be crafting Baker D. Chirico’s loaves and pastries (all of which are crafted using traditional bread-making techniques, natural fermentations and biodynamic stone-milled wholegrain flour).

Baker D. Chirico’s Newstead site is finally nearing completion. Although no official opening date has been announced, the team is giving Brisbane’s baked-goods fanatics a taste of the expected range with a bread and pastry pop-up, launching Friday 19^th January. The Baker D. Chirico pop-up window (which can be found down an alleyway toward the entrance of Total Fusion) will serve a rotating selection of carby treats, including its casalinga (white sourdough) as well as one or two other specialty breads. You’ll also find sweets like croissants, pain au chocolate and bombolone, as well as a selection of savoury options – think ham and gruyere croissants and lunch paninis.

Baker D. Chirico’s pop-up will be running for a limited time – keep your eyes on the Cavale and bakery’s social media pages for more info on operating hours.

The Breakfast Creek Green Bridge has hit a major construction milestone with the completion of install for the 300-tonne steel arch on-site.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said installing the pre-assembled arch has brought the project to 90 per cent completion.

Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy said the bridge would provide a safer and more accessible walking and riding connection over Breakfast Creek.

“This connection is a critical transport link between the inner city and our growing northern suburbs,” Cr Murphy said.

“This project delivers around 700 metres of new and improved walking and riding paths, including an extension to the Lores Bonney Riverwalk and a new two-way on-road cycle path from Newstead Park to Newstead Terrace.

“This is a vital piece of infrastructure that will meet the needs of our growing city and encourage residents to leave their cars at home.

“It will also play a major role during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, providing a key connection to the athletes’ village at Northshore Hamilton and the planned Breakfast Creek Sports Precinct.”

Hamilton Ward Councillor Julia Dixon said the arrival of the bridge span showed major progress in the project.

“I know local residents are really excited about this fantastic new bridge across Breakfast Creek and all the opportunities it will deliver for active travel,” Cr Dixon said.

“With the installation of the bridge arch, residents will now be able to see the project really coming together.

“The span has been painted to resemble the leaves of the native fig trees and is an incredible centrepiece of the project.

“Since the Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade, the Lores Bonney Riverwalk has just been so popular and this bridge will mean people can travel easily continue their journey across the bridge instead of on the existing narrow footpath.”

Final works on the bridge will now be completed and include concrete pours for the bridge deck, balustrade installation, electrical and lighting installation, and finishing works such as line marking and signage.

The bridge is expected to open in early 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.

 

Amidst the redevelopment of the Gabba for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds is poised to become a key player in the city’s sporting landscape.

A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed at Brisbane’s inner-city RNA Showgrounds under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket fixtures while the Gabba is redeveloped.

“Upgrading the RNA main arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an Ekka legacy for uniting city and country,” he said.

“Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during the Gabba redevelopment.

“With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA’s main arena is a logical solution, representing the best value for money for Queenslanders.”

Mr Hinchliffe also acknowledged the support of Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner – who has been a vocal supporter of the RNA upgrade – and said he wanted to thank him for his “public backing for an upgrade of the historic main arena at the RNA Showgrounds and retaining the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane”.

Under the deal, the government has also demanded the venue be only 12,000 seats in “legacy mode” after the Games – to ensure events are not taken away from the rebuilt Gabba, which is costing $2.7bn to redevelop.

Mr Hinchliffe said work on the RNA main arena would need to begin by next year to be ready for the 2025-26 cricket season and the 2026 start of the Gabba redevelopment.

Famous for its climate, lifestyle and more affordable property market, Brisbane’s unstoppable property market has emerged as a leader in price recovery.

Unlike the post-pandemic property downturns seen in markets elsewhere, Brisbane’s price downturn was “short and sharp”, according to the Domain’s September housing report.

Following a pandemic population surge and an increase in values of more than 43%, Brisbane’s property prices hit a record high in mid-June 2022, soon after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) commenced its rate-tightening cycle.

Since slumping in December 2022, house prices have already recouped $39,000 of the $47,000 value lost.

Brisbane’s median house price rose 1.4% to $848,752 in the September quarter, meaning they’re now just 1% (or $8,000) below the peak, Domain’s report showed.

And data reveals both house and unit prices are on track to reach a record high before the end of 2023.

In fact, if prices continue to grow at the same pace as they did over the September quarter, home prices in Brisbane would be set to end the year up 8.0%, which would be close to double the average annual growth since 2010.

The median unit price climbed 1.7% over the three months to September and 7.8% over the year to reach a record $495,143 – making the city one of only two capitals to achieve a unit price record over the quarter.

Brisbane’s unit prices have already sailed past the $500,000 median mark, to $539,169 as of early November.

Affordability and tight supply are leading market recovery in Brisbane, with more price climbs for the foreseeable future.

The city’s house and unit medians are still considerably more affordable than in Sydney ($1.5 million median) and Melbourne ($1 million median).

Nicola Powell, chief of research & economics at Domain pointed out that the tight rental market and undersupply were applying pressure to property prices, with the city’s stock levels sitting 45% below its 5-year average.

“That is massive and that will push up pricing … but there are tailwinds influencing south-east Queensland overall and it’s that liveability factor and greater affordability in comparison to southern cities,” she said, adding the Olympic Games deadline in 2032 gives Queensland a chance to deliver all the infrastructure it needs.

“If done right, south-east Queensland could become the best-connected city in Australia if we look at the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast as one designated chunk of land.”

Internal migration also continues to be a significant driver for the city, with Australia still relocating in large volumes.

The recent spike in interstate migration to South-East Queensland combined with international migration will continue to create a perfect storm.

Federal government forecasts in January 2023 suggest that Queensland’s population is expected to grow by more than 16% by the time Brisbane hosts the Olympic Games in 2032, with the majority moving to the capital city itself.

 

Designed by ACME architects, Australia’s largest health club and gym merges the elegance of a Roman bathhouse with cutting-edge technology, reminiscent of top-tier Olympic training facilities and rooftop relaxation sanctuaries. Opening this coming Wednesday, TFP promises a Symphony of Luxury, Fitness, and Healing in this Masterpiece Space.

Stunning Green Sukabumi rooftop pools, surrounded by Roman-travertine, gardens, a fireplace and luxurious day beds, flow into amenities like snowcaves, saunas, a high-tech Oxygen chamber, floatation tanks, and saltcaves. A rooftop bar and café infused with European summer ambiance offer farm-to-table cuisine in an environment of elegance and relaxation.

The boutique hotel-like reception finds its heart beneath the spectacular 5-storey ‘Tree of Life’, framed by an ‘Atrium of Light’ and magnified by a reflective mirror-oculus-skylight and botanical LEDs.

Glowing under the gentle warmth of a ‘central firepit’, spaces like the ‘Glass-Brick Entrance’, ‘Reading Fish-Pond’, ‘Co-working Hub’, and ‘Podcast Studio’ invite social interaction and intellectual pursuit.

Architectural marvels include the awe-inspiring ‘Archway of Triumph’ and a ‘scenic-glass elevator’, alongside a sculpted travertine and steel staircase, roman-travertine flooring, timber wall panels, and an array of plush furnishings and vintage rugs that enhance the atmosphere.

Distinct training zones showcase the ‘Elite Hypoxic Chamber’, ‘Gym80 Circuit’, Technogym machinery, a dedicated ‘Stretch Circuit’, ‘Calisthenics Arena’ and the ‘Inclined Kilter Climbing Wall’. This melds with the ‘TFP Temple & Sled Track’, synergized with Rogue Power Racks, in a setting that marries aesthetic appeal with functionality, enriched by vibrant lighting, immersive soundscapes, intimate acoustics and green initiatives.

The ‘Healing Lounge’, Day & Medi-Spa combine traditional relaxation with innovative treatments. Guests are welcomed into a serene realm, offering therapies like IV Drip Vitamin Infusion, NASA-endorsed Red-Light Therapy, Cryo, ozone, and magnetic therapies.

A mesmerizing ‘Glass-Brick-Waterfall’ sets the tone for spa therapies, guiding guests along the therapeutic ‘Kniepp Reflexology path’ towards a relaxation lounge and ‘thermal-contrast therapies’. Breathable-lime therapy rooms offer advanced medical treatments, including a unique ‘Couples-Sculpted-Cave’ with an Ayurveda Bed and ‘healing-copper-bath’.

The venue’s ‘Seven-Sense Biospheric’ theme blends natural elements to give members a multisensory experience, ensuring rejuvenation with every breath.

TFP opens to the public, Wednesday 1st November. Sign up Today: https://totalfusion.com.au/newstead-fitness-club/

Twenty years ago, Single O opened one of the first “third wave” coffee cafes in Australia. Now the pioneers of Australian coffee culture have arrived in Brisbane, bringing their rebellious spirit and creativity to Newstead.

Single O opened the doors to its first Brisbane cafe last month, in a former warehouse space on Austin Street in Newstead. Single O offers its flagship reservoir blend, with notes of stone fruit and soft milk chocolate, alongside rotating single origin beans that are available seasonally. You can double down with a coffee flight that includes single origin espresso and a reservoir blend flat white; sample the affogato made with gelato from nearby Allora; or pour yourself a glass from the signature self-serve taps (the first of their kind in Queensland) dispensing both a batch brew and an iced oat latte.

The light-filled cafe, which features a mural by Brisbane-born artist Gemma O’Brien, is full of careful contradictions. Industrial design elements – copper piping and shelving as well as oxidised metal countertops – are offset by polycarbonate tables and Defy Design stools.

The menu is small but exciting. A simple selection of sandwiches, such as a salad sanga with black garlic pate, pickled carrots, beetroot, alfalfa, and vegan mayo, sits alongside more elaborate toasties such as a lemon and pepperberry chicken and capsicum grilled sandwich with salty black olives, haloumi and mozzarella. Carry-overs from the Sydney menu include an avocado toast with achiote cashew cheese, pickled fennel, chilli oil and sweet lemon aspen on Agnes Bakery smoked potato bread. Sweet treats include pastries which also come courtesy of Agnes Bakery (finally, a way to skip the line on James Street) and Single O’s signature banana bread with espresso butter.

Single O

16 Austin Street, Newstead.

Hours:

Mon to Fri 6.30am–1.30pm

Sat 7am–1.30pm

Sun currently closed