Go bananas for Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar.
Go bananas for Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar.
If your special interests include putting away unsavoury amounts of great chow and getting behind a good theme – there’s a brand new, banquet-worthy dining concept in our midst you’re bound to find very a-peel-ing. Serving up next-level Chinese cuisine, Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar Southport is the new Monkey King-themed nosher giving GC foodies plenty to go bananas for.
With the type of ambience that will leave you wonton more, the Wu Kong concept is one steeped in ancient mythology and culinary traditions. Adding Authentic Chinese feasts served with a side of folklore (no, not that kind, sorry Swifties) to Queen Street Village’s ever-growing mix, Southport’s peckish punters can now get their Lo Mein and Plum Duck fix immersed in surrounds inspired by the legendary, centuries-old tale of Wu Kong, king of monkeys.
Inspired by the famous Chinese novel, “Journey to the West”, which was immortalised by the iconic Japanese TV show Monkey Magic. Where are my 80’s children at? Brisbane’s Wu Kong crew have fully committed to the bit for their enchanting second venture. Where the OG city location dazzles with a whimsical Water Curtain Cave theme, the latest instalment in this tantalising saga is inspired by the fable’s second act. With Wu Kong’s legendary quest to extinguish the mountain inferno reflected in the next-level decor, enveloping diners with licking flames and walls as if carved from rock.
The Wu Kong crew certainly moved a few mountains of their own to make the epic fit-out happen. Shipping in the same specialty concrete used by Disneyland, with technicians from overseas required to mould the material into the fiery mountain feature. We told you they were committed to the bit!
While the captivating interior may have taken a year to pull off – the menu is also pretty darn magical in its own right. Think contemporary takes on traditional faves, offering a feast-worthy array of sautéed and crispy chef’s specialties, succulent seafood, and wok-tossed noodles served with sides of saucy vegetables and dim sum.
If you’re overwhelmed by a menu where every option sounds as good as the next, direct your attention to the Chef Signature menu where you’ll find house specialties like roasted Plum Duck, served slathered in tangy plum sauce, or Shanghai-style Dong Po Pork, made with pork belly slow braised in soy, rice wine and brown sugar. From there, your only quandary need be the obligatory dim sum order – add in a couple of plates of Har Gao or Squid Ink Mala Pork Xiao Long Bao, and you’ve got yourself one epic feast!
These guys are also not monkeying around when it comes to the drinks menu, so prepare to also pucker those lips for some pan-Asian style sips, cocktail fans! Including Pandan Colada’s or a boozy bubble tea cocktail made with vodka, black tea, creamer, sugar syrup, brown sugar pearl. Though we would certainly consider climbing a mountain to get a taste of the Mount Huaguo, made with white rum, jasmine green tea, passionfruit, pineapple, kumquat lemon and osmanthus honey. B-A-N-A-N-A-S level good, right?
Incredible Chinese eats, crafted cocktails and a very cool theme – what’s not to love? Enchanting on every level, Wu Kong Kitchen and Bar Southport might not be your everyday dining experience, but we could happily spend every day eating here.
Where: T10/129 Queen Street Village, Southport
When: Monday to Sunday 11:30-21:30
Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Mathilde Bouby
If you’re not au fait with Southport’s recent moving and shaking – we have some major catching up to do! For starters, a lush little destination known as Queen Street Village would rank highly on the list of reasons to swing by and see how 4215 is stepping. it. up.
Delivering a new super-slick spot to shop, sip and recreate in style, Queen Street Village’s $550 mil re-development surpassed our loftiest expectations for the location, which previously housed the old Southport hospital. Transforming the Queen Street strip into the hip kinda destination where there’s always something cool/fun/delicious happening, the boutique retail precinct boasts a slew of specialty shops, services and top tier sustenance spots.
With major drawcards such as premier grocer, Jones & Co IGA, and high-end film chain, Dendy Cinema, as well as a dedicated watering hole, boutique barber, gym, childcare and a cutting edge dental studio the Queen Street Village is already shaping up to be a jack of all trades. And there’s plenty more to come. #PassThePopcorn – we can hardly wait!
We’re rejoicing over the recent addition of a fresh-faced The Queen’s Arms Hotel (a reincarnation, technically speaking). Courtesy of a pearler of a revamp Southport’s rejuvenated pint-slinging icon is now a sight to behold. In addition to the requisite brews and impressive beer garden, the new-look QA also comes bearing upscale pub bites like Truffle Chips and Blistered tomato and burrata salad.
Joining the likes of Krish Indian and Say Sushi; if you’re a fan of fresh and affordable Asian eats served in a flash (yes, hi) – prime the tastebuds to meet QSV’s newest nosher, Wu Kong, courtesy of Brisbane’s Jackpot Dining crew. Swing by this new themed experience restaurant to enjoy lunch or dinner in a cave. Tuck into a delectable selection of fresh and fast food from traditional stir fries to Chinese roasts and noodles.
A new Terry White Chemist is opening in early May. Who among us isn’t here for swinging by the pharmacy to stock up on essential provisions (a new perfume or lippie) then rewarding ourselves for smashing the ‘ole to-do list with a little treat for the tastebuds for our efforts?
Rounding out QSV’s collection of delectable eateries are options like Barber Bros. Psst yes you can get a quick snip and coffee hit! Or nom your way around the world with everything from Mexican fave Guzman and Gomez, a drive through Oportos or Greek style eats from Yiros Shop.
Whether you’re down to make your next errand run feel a bit spesh, or craving something delish for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner, we reckon there’s beaucoup reasons to make Queen Street Village your plush port of call.
Where: 115-157 Queen St, Southport
When: Opening hours vary
Words by Kellie Leader
STORY SPONSORED BY QUEEN STREET VILLAGE
In case you missed it, an icon is back among us thanks to the relaunch of The Queen’s Arms Hotel and on behalf of everyone that’s been looking for a delicious pub feed in Southport – thank you.
Once royalty on the hospo scene, The Queen’s Arms Hotel is back with a highly requested second wind, thanks to the team at the Good Times Pub Group breathing new life into the old favourite and it’s about time we say.
You might not know this about us (you definitely do) but we are partial to a good pub, there’s just something about the thought of a parmi and pint that really gets us going so luckily for us, the schnitty-shaped hole in our tum is ready to be filled, right in the heart of our beloved SoPo.
Located in the newly opened Queen Street Village Precinct, it’s finally giving the people of Southport (and the Gold Coast) what they want – a ripper pub in our humble CBD.
Whether you live local or find yourself there for work, trust us when we say we’ve found THE spot for a bite and some brews (or bubbles if you fancy).
The modern Australian menu is perfectly complimented by the sleek fit out, with exposed brick and beautifully refined finishes to bring a hint of an industrial feel and it really is brew-tiful.
If you’re just popping for a cheeky bev and a little bite, you’ll have the time of your life truffling through their myriad of snacks and shares like tuna tacos, truffle chips (we’ll take two serves, thanks) and taster platters with bits of their most-loved menu items like the bourbon kilpatrick oysters, lamb ribs and pulled pork.
On the burrata-obsessed train? I mean, who isn’t? Prepare to meet your new true love, the blistered tomato and burrata salad which you’d be rude not to pair with the garlic cob loaf for something a little extra.
All your pub favourites are also on the menu of course, along with new spins on the classics like their coral trout, served battered or grilled, to level up your fish and chips game.
If you like big burgers and you cannot lie, the QA understood the assignment because their hand crafted burgers are so big you’ll need two hands to get around them – literally – think classics like the faithful Chicken Burger and The QLD’R if you’ve rolled in extra hungry.
Just here for the beer garden? We don’t blame you. When it’s in full swing it’s the perfect spot to perch up outside with a pot of ice cold beer and catch the action of your fav sports live and loud on the giant screen – we’re getting thirsty just thinking about it.
Speaking of icons, we’re pretty sure even Margot Robbie can’t get enough of The Queen’s Arms. Okay, we might be stretching a little (see: a lot) with that one but her Papa Salt Gin is happy to call it home, which feels like pretty much the same thing if you ask us.
Doors open from 10am daily so you can get your fix and a feed all day every day. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to re-acquaint yourself with an old favourite.
Where: Queen Street Village,133 Queen St, Southport
When: Daily from 10am – 12am
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.
