Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 07-3333 2231;
www.pintxo.com
; 561 Brunswick St; tapas $9-14, share plates $16-28; noon-3pm Sat & Sun,
5.30pm-late Wed-Sun)
Grab a seat at the bar and choose your freshly prepared tapas as it glides
past at this casual, paprika-red Spanish spot on Brunswick St. Shared plates are made to
order, with authentic standouts like pancetta-wrapped shrimp, grilled chorizo with sweet
potato and beef meatballs with
manchego
polenta. Wash it down with Spanish sangria,
beers and wines by the glass.
Anise
MAP
FRENCH
$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 07-3358 1558;
www.anise.com.au
; 697 Brunswick St; mains $24-34; noon-2.30pm Thu-Sat, 6-9pm Mon-Sat)
This uber-stylish 21-seat restaurant/wine bar features an award-winning menu of season-
ally inspired Gallic fare. Patrons plant themselves around the narrow bar and feast on
amuse-bouches
(hors d'oeuvres) such as oysters and Alsace foie gras, followed by grass-
fed Black Angus beef, fresh fish of the day or slow-braised spring lamb. The six-course
degustation menu ($100, or $155 with dishes paired with wines) is perfect for a special
occasion.
Arriva
( 07-3254 1599;
www.arrivarestaurant.com.au
; 6/84 Methyr Rd; mains $17-23; 11am-late Tue-Sat)
This tiny
neighbourhood Italian diner serves authentic pizza and pasta from an efficient kitchen.
Loyal locals cram in for
penne puttanesca
(anchovies, olives, capers, chilli) and
porcini
ravioli (creamy mushrooms, truffle sauce and Italian sausage). Check your calorie con-
cerns at the door.
ITALIAN
$$
PORTSIDE WHARF
A few ferry stops downriver from New Farm is
Portside Wharf
( 07-3907 4111;
www.portsidewharf.com.au
;
39 Hercules St, Hamilton), Brisbane's cruise ship terminal, which has spawned a shopping-and-eating complex
and a copse of apartment towers. The vibe is a little contrived and artificial, but some of the restaurants here are
beautifully sited overlooking the river. Standouts include
Sono
( 07-3268 6655;
www.sonorestaurant.com.au
;
mains $19-55; noon-2.30pm Wed-Sun, 6-9.30pm Tue-Sun), one of Brisbane's best Japanese restaurants; and
Byblós
( 07-3268 2223;
www.byblosbar.com.au
;
mains $24-36; 4.30pm-late Mon & Tue, 11.30am-late
Wed-Sun), a hip spot specialising in Lebanese and Mediterranean edibles. Also at Portside is the five-screen
Dendy Cinema (
Click here
) if you feel like dinner and a movie. To get here, take the CityCat ferry to Bretts
Wharf, and follow the riverside path 500m further east.
