Simple by name, decadent by nature.
Simple by name, decadent by nature.
It’s been too long between new venues opening in Nobby’s Beach, so we are super pumped for the latest addition, simply titled, Mr.
Opening on Friday 15th November, this sleek, new share-style dining venue is everything we expected it to be from the unstoppable sister duo and much more.
Located next-door to Shonel Alloway and Kylie Fitzgerald’s already established restaurants Forreal Kitchen & The Arc in Nobby’s Beach, Mr. is a tastefully designed intimate space with a menu that’ll suit the finer palate.
Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant/bar will seat a maximum of 52 guests at any one time, so you’re sure to have a bespoke dinner to appreciate the luscious detail on the menu and in the design.
You’ll first spot the gold accents, darkened windows and simple gold signage outside of Mr., certainly giving nothing away for what awaits you inside, but as always is the perfect position to perch for Nobby’s Beach people watching.
Upon entry, a feast for your eyes prepares you for the scrumptious food and delectable cocktails the girls are well-known for. Dusty pink leather booths line the surrounds, with teal tiles and teal leather bar stools encompassing the dark marble-topped bar.
Reminiscent of a sassy bar you’d find in a Mad Men episode eloquently spiced up with large scale floral features that can only be the handiwork of risk takers, who absolutely nail mixing different design elements.
The casual, sophisticated yet romantic environment is the perfect setting for date nights, business dinners or solo dining atop the bar.
But let’s get down to the delights on the innovative food menu designed by chef Beau Irvine. We are without hesitation that the 24hrs fresh from the rocks and shucked to order oysters are what the people will be coming for time and time again. There are seven different oyster styles to choose from and we’ll be taking them all thanks with a glass of champagne to match.
Moving onto the small plates section of the menu, we love crowd favourites like zucchini flowers, kingfish ceviche and prawn toast to kick off your night of taste sensation.
If you’re into slightly larger portions, the Asian dish of char sui pork with lashings of a thick, rich sauce will tantalise your taste buds, but we also wouldn’t turn down the bite size Peking duck wontons or garlic Mooloolaba king prawns cooked to perfection.
And if you’re sharing in a group (or by yourself, no judgment here) the soft shell crab risotto will not leave you wanting, beef flank for your weekly iron intake and fancy confit duck legs will keep the whole team happy.
Not to forget the sides, but can we make special mention of the mac and cheese as an inclusion? We’re so glad to see this on the menu, we’re not ashamed to pretend we don’t love it, as a side, or you know, just by itself.
We hope you’ve left room for dessert because if you miss the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate mousse cake, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice.
We know that not everyone is a dessert person, so may we interest you in one of the amazing cocktails on offer, of course we can… With three pages of the menu dedicated to cocktails, Mr. knows what the people want.
The 8 Year cocktail is listed on the Mr. inspired menu and it consists of chilli infused bacardi 8 year old with joseph carton apricot liqueur, lime juice, angustora bitters with a dash of house made ginger and chilli syrup, which is really just a fancy way of describing a smooth firecracker in your mouth.
If you’re more of a martini-style peep, may we suggest the Coco Chanel, a stunning blend of vodka, kahlua and liqor 43 with vanilla sugar syrup that is then shaken and double strained into a chilli martini glass, finished with a persian chocolate fairy floss float… see half the fun isn’t even in the name.
LOCATION: 28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
HOURS: Wed & Thu 5pm until late, Fri – Sun 12pm until late
Words by Carly Snodgrass
Photos by Brittani Johnson
Allow us to begin by sharing the news that deep fried Gaytimes are a thing and you can eat them at Nobby’s newbie Forreal Kitchen (previously Barchino).
The end.
Jks. Seriously though, did other people know this and keep what may be the most delicious food in the world a secret. Let’s hope not hey.
Let’s go back to the beginning. Last week Nobby’s welcomed another new eatery to the fray and we may never have seen a more balanced and extensive menu in all our food eating lives.
The premise of Forreal Kitchen is this: life is all about balance and good food is one of the greatest pleasures there is, therefore we should enjoy both the healthy and not-so-healthy but oh-so-delicious varieties in order to stay sane (and happy). Makes perfect sense to us because Deep Fried Gaytimes.
The interior is all kinds of colourful cuteness with bright pink, patterned wallpaper on one side and literal leaves sprouting from the other. Greenery hangs from every available space and rattan light shades round out the cosy, natural, indoor jungle feels.
So besides the previously mentioned Deep Fried Gaytimes, what can you eat? Well pals, a little bit of everything.
Of course, there are smoothie bowls – nine varieties to be precise – and if you’re in one of those healthy moods (apparently it’s a thing) go for the Gracefully Green with spinach, green matcha, banana, pineapple, coconut milk, avocado and served with Paleo muesli, flowers and toasted coconut.
For lunch there’s (so many good things) the Forreal Boy with crispy prawns served on a crusty French Roll with apple slaw and crispy fries. Yep there is.
There are also share plates along the lines of a Big Fat Beef and Maple sausage with jalapeno relish and Asian Greens in Miso Caramel. People’s culinary imaginations actually blow our minds.
You can drink cocktails, match wines to your breakfast (STOP IT) or order a smoothie called Are You Forreal, which is a secret rainbow concoction not for the faint of heart.
Green shots are a thing too if your attempt to balance all those other goodies gets out of hand.
The place is seriously one of a kind and the girls have actually thought of everything.
Get on it guys.
LOCATION: 28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach (underneath Santorini)
HOURS: From 6am to 3pm daily (open for breakfast and lunch)
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Nobby’s, home of the never-ending good vibes, has pulled through for us again with the recent makeover of longtime favourite Nobby’s Arc.
The much-loved drinking hole has been taken over by the gals at Forreal Kitchen next door and the makeover is akin to 1998 Jared Leto vs. 2018 Jared Leto (Google it, trust us). In a word, stunning.
The Arc we know and love has been around for quite some time and from the time it first swung open its’ doors, it was absolutely packed every night. That certainly won’t change with the new look; in fact it’s upped the ante of the Nobby’s nighttime scene if you ask us.
The low-lit vibe you came to know and love still exists but now comes with a hint of sleek sophistication in the form of velvet lounge chairs down one side and a fun new neon sign that is our actual life motto reading ‘bad ideas, good times’. Seriously.
Fancy matte black and gold seating sets the scene and actual mini palm trees (pretty sure that’s not what they’re technically called) are dotted throughout. Oh and two magical round light bulb cluster situations are our new favourite thing.
The team has completely revamped the menu too. If you’ve been to Forreal Kitchen you’ll know they don’t do menus by halves. A chef has been brought in to spice things up but don’t fret, the wood fired pizzas Nobby’s Arc are known for are still on offer (except better) along with dishes like Spicy Braised Pork Belly (which is so very delicious).
There are plenty of small plates to share including Prickly Ash Dusted Calamari and Miso Chicken and they’re all the best of the best.
Wash those down with a next-level cocktail from the revamped (and yes extended) menu and you’ll be a happy little Vegemite.
We recommend the Spicy Blue because it has tequila, jalapenos, blueberry jalapeno sugar syrup, lemon juice, chilli and coriander and it is one of THE BEST cocktails we’ve ever sampled. Which is saying a lot because, well, you know us.
Next up go the Velvet Dream with Lillet Blanc, gin, St Germaine elderflower liqueur and pink grapefruit juice and oh my, what a treat.
Not only are there all the new things, all your favourite old things are still on offer including comedy night on Wednesday’s, Furphy Friday’s – where you can get $5 schooners, $9 pints and $10 spritzers.
Let’s talk about the spritzers for a second. There are five varieties including the Damselfly which includes champagne, gin, St Germaine elderflower liqueur, blood orange syrup and Angostura bitters. For $10 (usually $16). Bye money.
Sunday arvo sessions have never looked so good.
See you there for a Spritzer or three.
LOCATION: Shop 4, 28 Chairlift Ave, Nobby Beach
HOURS: 3pm until midnight Wednesday to Friday and 12pm to 12am Saturday and Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
