James Street foodie showdown: New kids on the block

Jul 16, 2012 2 Comments by Celeste Mitchell

Being the new kid can be a little daunting. You worry about what you look like, fret that you might not fit in, and when push comes to shove, well, you really just want the other kids to like you. Luckily for the recent newcomers to Brisbane’s fashionable James St precinct, there’s nothing to be worried about.

Eat, live, love, Italian

Port Douglas locals are completely attuned to the Italian deliciousness of Bucci but now Brisbane is in on the secret, too. Situated in trendy digs across the road from Cru Bar + Cellar, Bucci has been playing to a packed house since opening earlier this year with tempting bar and restaurant menus on offer. With a buzzing atmosphere, quirky décor (I love the stickman light installations), and insanely good pasta, Bucci has gone straight to the top of my list of favourites.

Jump on the dumpling craze

Moving in last month, and with a reputation that precedes them, the girls from Happy Little Dumplings have thrown open the doors to the sister store of the uber popular Bulimba venue and the entryway has been copping a pounding ever since. With delicious fresh dumplings, steamed buns and mango pancakes on offer, who wouldn’t want to be their friend? Situated in the James Lane strip of stores, next to Jules & Roc, Happy Little Dumplings is open seven days a week from 10am-4pm. With Brisbane’s dumpling obsession hitting overdrive, we suggest getting there early!

Another cocktail, Mr Bond?

Sitting in the new 15 + 19 James St development, just behind Bucci, is the smooth and suave Gerard’s Bistro. Open just over a week, Gerard’s is the type of place you’d take a first date you were really trying to impress or wine and dine those seen-it-all-before clients. The cool industrial design and menu of sharing plates (that won’t feed a family but are undoubtedly gastronomical works of art) has had Brisbanites flocking to check out what all the fuss is about. Operating as a café by day and restaurant and bar by night, this slick new operation is from the guys behind popular Brisbane bars Laruche and Lychee Lounge.

*Gerard’s Bistro photos courtesy of Eat Drink and Be Kerry

, brisbane, food-wine

About Celeste Mitchell

Home is definitely where the heart is for Celeste Mitchell who grew up on the Sunshine Coast but has been a bit of a gypsy ever since. After years of writing about boy bands, puberty, dating, fashion and everything in between for some of Australia's top magazines she now revels in 'pimping' Queensland out to the world.

Follow Celeste Mitchell

http://www.eatdrinkandbekerry.blogspot.com/ Eat,drink + be Kerry

There’s lots more food planned for James Street as well starting with the opening of a food -themed book store near Gerard’s on Friday. Look for Scrumptious Reads.