The largest begonia display in Queensland is back for another year at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Begonias-A-Plenty 2020 is a great opportunity for gardeners, horticulturists and green fingers to find a wide variety of begonias, including new hybrids, rare and endangered species.
Hosted by the Queensland Begonia Society, Begonias-A-Plenty will be underway on Saturday, the 29th of February 2020 at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium. The plant showcase will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This will be the best time to buy begonia varieties that are not available at most nurseries. Did you know that begonias do not grow naturally in Australia? Well, on display at this event are hundreds of begonia varieties created by Queensland and Australian growers.
Aside from admiring the quality and variety of the begonias on display, guests may meet and talk to members of the Queensland Begonia Society for tips and advice on caring and growing begonias.
By 10:00 a.m., a full-hour plant workshop will be underway, which will be followed by a “Name This Begonia” competition and a raffle draw. Guests may also peruse books for sale, as authored by local begonia experts.
Begonias-A-Plenty is guaranteed to be an enjoyable and enriching full day for plant lovers.
For further details about this event, phone (07) 5502 2579 or email shevi71b@gmail.com (Shevanti Seneviratne).
Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs is on a roll again! Movie buffs looking for a change in scenery can look forward to a series of family movies to be screened for FREE in Jubilee Park.
For 2020, the family event will kick off on Saturday, the 18th of January, in Bardon. Succeeding screenings are also scheduled on the 15th of February and the 4th of April.
Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs opens at 4:00 p.m. with some pre-movie activities since there’s still a bit of daylight at this hour. The screening will officially start at 6:30 p.m. when the sky is darker.
Previous outdoor cinema events presented family-friendly films like “Peter Rabbit,” “Incredibles 2,” “Hotel Transylvania 3” and “Goosebumps.” The Council has yet to confirm what Bardon locals will get to see. To get the updates, follow the Council’s Facebook event page.
Photo Credit: David McLean/Google Maps
There’s more to enjoy at this event as you’re already there in Jubilee Park. The children can have fun at the playground whilst the older kids could play frisbee, board games and cards by their picnic spot.
Needless to say, movie night in the park is easily the most inexpensive enjoyment you can have in the company of the people you love!
Here’s where the rest of the free Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs screenings will be taking place around Brisbane:
Registrations are not needed at this event. Just bring your whole family or group at Jubilee Park and set your picnic blankets or cushions. Share your food or buy from the food stall and then enjoy the film!
Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters may have left this historic general store space on Rainworth Road in Bardon but their delicious, locally roasted coffee is still available on site, at Goodfolk Cafe, where the good folks in the neighbourhood can still get their favourite brew along with some new brunch options.
Goodfolk Cafe is owned by Adam Murphy and Nick Turner, who also run the Gramps Cafe in Red Hill. The partners grabbed the rare chance to acquire this charming Bardon space to open a dining establishment that has an inviting community feel.
Adam and Nick repainted the walls and added a few share tables, including a large 16-seater, for communal dining. Now, over 100 patrons can be accommodated for breakfast or brunch and the children may also play at the spacious garden in the backyard.
Photo Credit: Goodfolk Cafe/Facebook
The restaurant’s menu is still changing and growing as Goodfolk Cafe gets into the swing of things. For now, customers may enjoy the classics like toasts, poached eggs, a bowl of seasonal fruits and vegan specialties, which are prepared with ingredients coming from the on-site garden.
Photo Credit: Goodfolk Cafe/Facebook
Photo Credit: Goodfolk Cafe/Facebook
Aside from growing most of its ingredients and making its own hot chocolate, chai syrup and almond milk, this place is a sustainable establishment. Its owners have adapted an efficient waste-management system that makes use of its kitchen wastes as compost for the garden. Goodfolk Cafe also makes us of biodegradable straws and takeaway cups are recyclable.
Goodfolk Cafe is open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. By mid-2020, the restaurant could obtain its liquor licence.
“Gorgeous coffee and chai. They make their own almond milk and it’s divine. The place has an overall nice feel to it. We started with breakfast (amazing avo on toast) and ordered a chai because we didn’t want to leave! Staff super friendly. My favourite spot in Brisbane!”
~ Mini Lolo, Google Review
“On the way to the Bardon Shed, I drove past this cafe. Remember I had an impressive brekkie here last time so parked my car and checked it out. When I approached the cafe, I then realized that it has changed the name as the Goodfolk Cafe. Walked in and the first thing attracted my gaze was the plain croissants sitting on top of the counter. They looked great and tempted me to give it a go. Took a seat at the corner and I could not wait to see how my visual appraisal was. When the passionate barista brought me the croissant, the episode that I had my best croissant a few weeks ago in Pairs appeared in my mind. The first cut by the knife reflected the flaky and layered texture of this croissant. Ha! I found another place who serves real croissant in Brisbane! Not only that, the coffee of Neighbourhood brew was perfectly matched my palate. Tell you a secret tip of its croissant, they get as frozen produce from France and baked them in house. No wonder it is so good.”
A great opportunity has opened up for Bardon artists and innovators as the Brisbane City Council recently announced it is accepting applications from individuals who may benefit from the Creative and History Grant for 2019-2020.
For this particular phase, three Creative and History Grants have been opened:
However, if you or someone you know could use the grant for a creative project, a unique product or profitable idea, consider attending the Creative Grant Information Sessions first at one of six sites around Brisbane:
Date/Time
Location
Monday, 4 Nov 2019 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Brisbane Square Library 266 George Street, Brisbane City
Designed to help artists and innovators craft an impressive application, these sessions, hosted by the Council, are free-of-charge. However, you have to register for a ticket as the slots are limited.
The Creative Grant Information Sessions will provide you with ideas on:
the different creative grant programs available
grant guidelines and application forms
advice on project eligibility and
tips on making an application
Photo Credit: rawpixel/Pixabay
About Creative and History Grants
Every year, Brisbane City Council sets up these grants to encourage local artists, innovators, historians and organizations to flourish in their chosen field of expertise. Funding their projects is a stepping stone that should open bigger opportunities for progress and change to benefit the local community.
When Bardon local Scott Rimington and his family join a sea of purple for the annual National Walk for Pancreatic Cancer in Brisbane, on Sunday, the 20th Oct 2019, they will be hoping that pancreatic cancer will get the same attention as breast cancer.
“I may need to update my information but when I last looked more people die of pancreatic cancer in Australia than of breast cancer,” Scott said. “Still [there are] lots more women diagnosed with breast cancer but through research funding, improving identification and treatments, the survival rates have improved remarkably [for breast cancer patients].”
Scott lost his wife of 35 years, Annie Cridland, to an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in 2016. Since Annie’s diagnosis, he has been supporting the research to help improve pancreatic cancer detection and treatments. He has been sharing his time and resources to the foundation more so after his wife passed away.
Photo Credit: Ross Schumacher
The Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Scott hopes that the same progress will happen to pancreatic cancer research. Thus, he has been urging family members and friends to raise awareness and participate in the Put Your Foot Down Walk for Pancreatic Cancer.
Joining Scott at Teralba Park at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday are his daughters Emily and Evie, Annie’s friends and even Annie’s dog, Nell. They will be amongst other families throwing their support for pancreatic cancer patients and the institutions that ensure there will one day be an end to this deadly disease.
“There is something very special about sharing with other families and treading the same path we have,” Scott said.
Whilst he looks forward to the yearly walk for a cause to be with the families and meet the actual experts who have been working on finding a cure, Scott still has mixed emotions about this fundraiser.
“In some ways, I wish it wasn’t on as it is such a potent reminder of how pernicious this particular cancer is,” he said. “Every year you meet people and families that have been down the same or even tougher pathways than our family.”
“But in truth for me, the most important thing is to entice people to donate to Avner pancreatic cancer research as it is only funding that is going to keep the research momentum up in this seemingly intractable cancer area.”
Photo Credit: Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation/Facebook
If you’re keen on joining Scott, you may still register for the Walk. On-site registration will take place on the day of the event if you can’t do the online registration. Just be there at 8:30 a.m. or earlier.
The Walk is open for any age but participants above 16 years old will need to sign up for $25 as part of the fundraising efforts. Don’t forget to wear anything purple!
Photo Credit: Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation/Facebook
You don’t need to be present at the Walk to support the cause. You may still donate online from among the participant’s profiles. As of press time, $16,586.00 has been raised in the days leading up to the big event.
The local hub aptly named Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters, located at 58 Rainworth Road in Bardon, will cease brewing after the 22nd of Sept 2019.
Owners Alex and Stephanie Ridgway announced their decision to their loyal customers in a Facebook post, citing their need to create a work and life balance for their young and growing children. The Bardon location opened in 2015.
Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters regulars, however, may still find their delicious roasted coffee and cafe meals at its Albion location on Sandgate Road. The Ridgway couple plan to lease their store in Bardon whilst ensuring that the Albion site will get the focus and attention it needs.
“It is a great space and we would love to continue serving you there if you come to that side of town,” the couple stated, adding that they would want to continue building a sense of connectedness in the community, which they have experienced while running the Bardon store.
“It is incredibly heart-warming when we observe: children exploring the back garden with wonder; elderly members of our community reporting their sense of nostalgia in the shop; people finding a little pause from the busyness of their day; newborn babies becoming a part of the community; a neighbour tending so lovingly to the side garden; and regular customers coming down to the cafe to meet with their neighbours every day.”
Trading hours at the Albion site, which may be found at the back of the Albion Fine Trades, is from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, their online store will still be up so Bardon locals who regularly buy their blends may also arrange for delivery.
If you’re looking for a bit of indulgence, the sumptuous dishes exquisitely prepared at Lutece in Bardon may just satisfy your craving for a delightful dinner. Choose from the four-course Lobster Celebration, the Canard à la Presse (Duck on the Press), the Winter Special lunch menu, or the Dinner by Sunset list.
Lutece serves traditional French food with a modern twist, which is prepared so meticulously by Chef Romain Bapst. If it is your first visit then you need to try the creamy crab lasagne signature dish and the classic escargot.
While the restaurant’s food choices are limited and change seasonally, you’ll appreciate the set menus because you just have to order and wait comfortably as every meal is served at your table, including the desserts.
Lutece also has a vegetarian and kids menu, as well as an extensive wine list to pair with your meals.
Photo Credit: Discover Brisbane/Facebook
Photo Credit: sucre_belle/Instagram
From the moment you step inside this chic establishment, you’ll get first-class service. Price points might be a bit more expensive than other restaurants, but the fine dining experience is very much worth the price.
To be clear, Lutece isn’t cheap but you’ll get great value for your money. On Wednesday nights, a jazz band serenades diners. What’s more, the restaurant is located in the foothills of Mt Cool-tha with a great view of the western suburbs so be sure to reserve a seat by the window to make your dining experience even better.
Photo Credit: Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar/Facebook
Lutece’s trading hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. For reservations, phone (07) 3161 1858 or email bookings@lutece.com.au.
“My husband and I went there this past weekend for lunch and the food was unbelievable. I highly recommend the Lobster Bisque and Crab Lasagna. We will definitely be back! Great views too. Best french restaurant in Brisbane, by far.”
~ Nicole Maria, Google Reviews
“The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the ambiance amazing. We will certainly be back especially as we live so close. What a gem! Perfect for a special occasion! They even gave us a treat with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate with a sparkler. So special!”
“Something really special. The view is spectacular. The menu spectacular. Get an uber – you don’t want to be the designated driver. Very well priced for food of this quality.”
If you’ve ever had a hankering for Hungarian comfort cooking, come and dine at Bardon’s Smoked Paprika. Named after Hungary’s most popular spice, Chef Gabor Traub has carefully selected his family’s recipes to serve at his restaurant whilst adding his own creative touches.
Located at 65 MacGregor Terrace, Smoked Paprika is an all-day breakfast restaurant that serves home-cooked meals with distinct Hungarian influences.
Chef Traub changes the menu regularly to keep the choices interesting but the cafe’s signature meal, the Smoked Paprika breakfast, is a must-have for first-timers. This order has spiced beef with a rich layer of goulash served on Turkish bread, poached eggs, roasted tomatoes and grilled halloumi with hollandaise sauce.
Photo Credit: Smoked Paprika/Facebook
The flavours of every dish in this foodie spot are guaranteed to gratify your cravings. But your eyes will also light up because of the fantastic way Chef Traub plays up the colours in the food and desserts he creates.
Locals think this foodie spot is easily one of the best breakfast places in Brisbane but you must come and try it for yourself. Smoked Paprika opens all week from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Smoked Paprika/Facebook
“Highly recommend smoked paprika to everybody! I’m a huge fan! The best thing about this place is their creativity…you will always be surprise with the presentation of their meals and of course the taste. Also very friendly staff. Definitely the best cafe in Brisbane!”
“My new favourite Brisbane cafe! The service here was next level, the were staff always accommodating us at each stage of the dining experience.
I had one of the green smoothies to start. It was very natural, smooth & not overly sweet. I chose the Sweet Potato Hash for Breakfast. A crowd favourite 3/4 from our table selected it. How delicious, avo, goats fetta, sweet potato hash & a large serving of bacon definitely hit the spot.
Worth the wait in gold, but make sure you book ahead.”
~ Nicholas Doran, Google Reviews
“Innovative take on breakfast/brunch. Was impressed by the use of ingredients such as kale etc. Lovely beverages to go with the meals. I must add that the staff were very patient as it was well past closing time and I was taking my sweet time doing justice to my dish.”
You may not have tasted Iranian food quite like the one served at The Persian Restaurant at MacGregor Terrace in Bardon. For Middle Eastern cuisine that has set the bar in the area for nearly a decade, The Persian Restaurant is a favourite of locals but also gets frequent visitors from outside Brisbane.
Diners come back to this busy establishment for its rich, authentic Iranian food flavours and aroma. Regulars return for a filling serving of kababs and grilled eggplant, or a banquet of Persian or Middle Eastern platters with dolmeh, kashk-e-bademjan, hummus, falafel, and a choice of gluten-free bread.
The menu at The Persian Restaurant has a varied selection of appetizers, salads, and the main course like lamb or chicken paired with Basmati rice. Dessert choices are also a delight and the Iranian Baklava with rose water syrup comes highly recommended.
Photo Credit: The Persian Restaurant/Facebook
Photo Credit: The Persian Restaurant/Facebook
Photo Credit: The Persian Restaurant/Facebook
The ambience at The Persian Restaurant is also a celebration of colourful Iranian culture, where walls are filled murals that depict its history.
Persia was home to one of the earliest cultures in the world and the preparation of Persian food has been developed and passed on from generation to generation. Dining at this place can be a pretty special experience.
The Persian Restaurant is open from Tuesday to Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“Went for lunch with a friend for her birthday. Food is delicious, love the lamb shank, so tender and juicy. Love the dips with the soft pillowy flat bread. And the chicken cooked with pomegranate, it is so unique and tasty. Very lovely service. Highly recommended”
“Occupying a large space in the old Bardon Shopping Centre on Busy McGregor Terrace, this multi-purpose space provides a very authentic experience with friendly staff, good food and… is BYO. Hurrah! Although influenced by the country’s Arab Muslim neighbours, Iranian food also owes much to its Indo-European origins. Herbs spices fruit and nuts feature to flavour proteins and rice giving a delightfully different experience at a low price. Huge servings! We will be back tomorrow.”
“We are from Sydney and passed by The Persian Restaurant a couple of years ago and liked the look of the place and the menu, so decided on a future visit to Brisbane, we’d check it out. We finally got to visit the restaurant around a week ago as we were back in Brisbane. We weren’t disappointed as the food was very good. The meat was cooked really well and everything was really tasty.”
Are you aware that there’s a Paella Patio popping up every Sunday at MacGregor Terrace in Bardon? If you want to eat or learn to cook this Spanish Valencian dish, a chef will prepare and create the paella right in front of you.
The pop-up paella is open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Pata Negra Brisbane. The chef will also offer tips and tricks on how to prepare this flavourful rice dish.
The ingredients used in creating the paella, including gluten-free options, are from the Spanish Deli next door. Since the pop-up is at the patio, you may bring your dog for Paella night if you like.
Paella originated from the coastal areas of Spain centuries ago. It is always served in a large but shallow pan and it is the most popular Spanish dish.
This dish is filled with hearty seafood mixed with chorizo and spices like saffron. Some variants, however, may also include chicken.
While you’re at Pata Negra, you may as well order the Spanish wines from the bar to match with the paella or order their other dishes. You may also brush up on your Spanish language as the staff at Pata Negra are fluent.
