The much-anticipated Emporium Hotel South Bank Brisbane is set to launch in July and will be hotly followed by the official opening of its signature restaurant Opal in August.
Highly acclaimed Brisbane Chef Josue 'Josh' Lopez will helm the signature restaurant, with Lopez describing the food as modern Australian, celebrating native ingredients through innovative cooking, taking a similar artistic approach that saw him lead GOMA Restaurant to a prestigious two-hat award-winner.
Lopez said deciding on the restaurant name was a collaborative process with Emporium Hotel founders and owners Tony and Francine John. "We really wanted a name that portrays the beauty and richness of our country and, after many ideas were tabled, we decided the name of our national gemstone offered the preciousness and uniqueness we were searching for," he said. "Opals are important to Indigenous Australian culture, being known as 'fire of the desert', which we also felt was very fitting because fire is a critical component to cooking as well as in the ecology of Australia where many seeds lay dormant in the soil sometimes for years until fire bursts them open for new growth."
The menu will lean towards a degustation offering and feature dishes such as "Minjerribah" a seafood dish inspired by North Stradbroke Island (pictured above) and "Father and Son" which pairs local beef and veal with saltbush and beetroot (pictured below). For dessert, expect "Fire of the desert" a sweet interpretation of the translation of opal and a dish which will set the tone for what diners should expect when dining at Opal.
Opal's design features will include a full-size wine cellar, spectacular recessed ceiling with feature lighting, a luxurious blend of stone, fabric and metal finishes and an intimate private dining room with kitchen views. The spectacular antique stained glass Parisian shop-front, a showpiece in the former Emporium Hotel Fortitude Valley's famed Cocktail Bar, also takes pride of place.
Emporium Hotels founder Tony John said the Opal's focus would be on providing diners a contemporary, innovative dining experience that couples Josh's original, celebrated cuisine with Emporium Hotel's exceptional style of service. "We are looking forward to delivering a fresh, new dining experience to not only our guests, but to Brisbane. As one of the key food and beverage offerings at Emporium Hotel South Bank, Opal will provide a more intimate, unique option that still presents value to the customer. We are combining our award-winning service with Josh's award-winning cuisine, and we couldn't be more excited to see where we can take it."
The new flagship Emporium Hotel South Bank is set to open on July 1, 2018. Contact e: info@alluxia.com for Brisbane accommodation bookings.
Images: supplied
