South Bank may have been the coolest place to hang out in Brisbane during World Expo 88, but its cool factor has definitely worn off over the last two decades. Unless you are a tourist or have a young family with screaming kids,
the only reason to visit South Bank is most likely for a cultural agenda at QPAC or GoMA. Thankfully, the new River Quay precinct next to the Goodwill Bridge has upped the ante for South Bank as a premier riverfront dining destination. My newest favourite of the River Quay restaurants is Cove Bar + Dining - a contemporary oyster and Champagne bar. ...
the only reason to visit South Bank is most likely for a cultural agenda at QPAC or GoMA. Thankfully, the new River Quay precinct next to the Goodwill Bridge has upped the ante for South Bank as a premier riverfront dining destination. My newest favourite of the River Quay restaurants is Cove Bar + Dining - a contemporary oyster and Champagne bar. ...
The Cove bar is lined with top-shelf spirits. I like it already.
The striking design of the bar at Cove initially draws you into the restaurant with its glowing apothecary-like drawers lined with top-shelf spirits (perhaps because you are a borderline alcoholic). But it is the sumptuous menu that will entice you to linger over share plates of food and bespoke cocktails.
We started our Friday evening off with a bottle of an Adelaide Hills pinot grigio and some chilled oysters topped with wasabi leaf and pickled ginger emulsion. The generously sized Kangaroo Island oysters were fresh and mouthwatering with a flavoursome kick from the wasabi and ginger. We then moved onto equally inviting share plates of battered white anchovies, sourdough cornbread, porcini meatballs and chilli jam doughnuts with avocado puree and mole sauce. Needless to say, Cove offers a bold and intriguing menu but I love a bit of culinary adventure so it all gets a big tick from me.
We started our Friday evening off with a bottle of an Adelaide Hills pinot grigio and some chilled oysters topped with wasabi leaf and pickled ginger emulsion. The generously sized Kangaroo Island oysters were fresh and mouthwatering with a flavoursome kick from the wasabi and ginger. We then moved onto equally inviting share plates of battered white anchovies, sourdough cornbread, porcini meatballs and chilli jam doughnuts with avocado puree and mole sauce. Needless to say, Cove offers a bold and intriguing menu but I love a bit of culinary adventure so it all gets a big tick from me.
Chilled oysters with wasabi leaf and picked ginger emulsion
 Our enticing share plates included the Porcini meatball and chilli jam doughnuts | You can bet your bottom dollar that the River Quay restaurants will be prime hotspots for Riverfire and New Year's Eve fireworks with their outdoor terrace setting and spectacular views of the river and CBD. Although Stokehouse had initially stolen the limelight, Cove Bar + Dining stands out as a casual and elegant dining experience with the same breathtaking views but much gentler on the wallet than Stokehouse (which leads to more rounds of cocktails, right?). Admittedly I had an ulterior motive to come to South Bank, which was to watch Annie at the Lyric Theatre after dinner. And so I spent the rest of my evening wishing I had been an orphan adopted by a New York billionaire. It's a hard knock life, I suppose. Address: River Quay, Sidon Street, South Bank Phone: 07 3844 3993 Website: http://www.covebardining.com.au/  |
River Quay. So hot right now.
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