After a 17-year absence, American fast-food chain Taco Bell is set to return to Australia. It’s about to replace the original Sizzler building which stood at the same site for 30 years in Annerley.
The original Sizzler restaurant has closed its doors in July following a number of restaurant shutdowns in various locations across Australia. Now, the site is about to prove the adage true that “When something good leaves, something better is to come.”
Plans for the new Taco Bell restaurant were first submitted to the Brisbane City Council in May, and that’s when speculation began. At the time, however, Colin Foods Limited, the holder of the license for Taco Bell in Australia remained mum amidst the widespread rumors of their impending return.
This time around, they no longer need to answer any questions because the job posting on their Taco Bell website stating their need for people who can provide “service of champions” has given them away.
Taco Bell is looking for people with happy and enthusiastic personalities who have a passion to provide excellent customer service. They also require applicants to have a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate, which only means one thing – they will be serving alcohol.
After the revealing job post, CFL finally confirmed that they will be occupying the former Sizzler site. Taco Bell spokeswoman also said that they plan to have the restaurant open before Christmas.
This marks Taco Bell’s third attempt to enter the Australian food industry. The most recent effort was during the nineties, but they pulled out by mid-2000s. This time around, hopes run high that the rollout will be a success.
Are you ready for some Tex-Mex grubbin’ in the South?
Food or coffee may not be top of mind when you come to the first ever cat cafe in the South of Brisbane. Seeing the cats at the Lucky Cat Cafe and interacting with them. Tucked in a cul-de-sac in Annerley, this cafe isn’t just for cats. Dogs are very much welcome as well.
Split over two levels, the lower level has all the cafe facilities that you can find along with pet supplies for sale. The second level is the “cattic” where the cafe’s resident cats are located.
Photo credit: Must Do Brisbane
Cat and dog owners are allowed to bring their pets in but they are not allowed at the upper level because this may upset their resident cats.
Photo credit: Must Do Brisbane
You can enjoy an excellent cup of their Dancing Beancoffee or choose from their selection of teas, smoothies and other cold beverages. They only offer light snacks, so don’t expect to have a full meal when you come.
Their dining tables are extremely kid-friendly. There are coloring pencils, pens, and doodle books on the table. Enough to keep the little ones entertained when they get bored playing with the felines.
Photo credit: Lucky Cat Cafe / Facebook
Upstairs is a perfect place to chill especially for the cat lovers. The attic is adorned with comfy couches, mats, cat toys and other equipment for cat play. You can book sessions to enjoy the attic with the cats online.
The resident cats are rescue cats that have been chosen from Brisbane Cat Valley Rescue. Although their resident cats aren’t up for adoption, the cafe does hold several adoption events in partnership with various organizations.
The cafe also hosts cat yoga at the second level. Yes, yoga. With the cats. Book a sessions for a different yoga experience. Namaste!
For the love of thrift stores and helping people at the same time, op-shops are definitely the best places to go. Annerley has some of the best op-shops in Brisbane, perfect for those who are looking for unique finds at reasonable prices whilst helping a good cause.
Along Ipswich Road lies several op-shops that you can choose from: The Asthma Foundation Thrift Store, Aid For The Blind and Vinnies and Lifeline.
With 2.5m Australians who have asthma and an approximate number of 400 who die from the illness every year in mind, the Asthma Foundation aims to seek a cure for asthma and improve the quality of life of people suffering from this chronic illness. They deliver evidence-based preventative health strategies to over 200,000 people each year. The foundation funds vital basic science and population health research and how to best manage the disease.
The foundation runs a number of op-shops in Queensland and in Brisbane. The one in Annerley offers vintage and retro goods. It also carries a wide selection of clothing, books, toys, manchester and home ware.
Lifeline has more than 130 shops in Queensland ranging from superstores, shops and book shops. The funds that they raise from the shops go to their 24-hour Lifeline Crisis Support centre.
In their Annerley op shop, you will find a wide selection of just about anything — clothes, books, kitchenware and even furniture!
Vinnies is formally known as the St Vincent de Paul Society. It has over 40,000 volunteers and members who work hard to help people in need and to fight social injustice in Australia. It is an international organisation that operates in 150 countries worldwide.
Their op-shop in Annerley has a wide range of clothing for men and women as well as other items. You will love the homey atmosphere in the store. You’ll definitely shop in homey comfort at Vinnie’s.
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.masslive.com
Jeremy Strong’s “Laugh Your Socks Off” will be the subject for this session’s investigation. Kids aged six to 11 years old are invited to join the fun!
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.ncoa.org/tai-chi-class-2
Feeling old and weary? Come and join in this “gentle exercise for complete fitness.” This GOLD event is for FREE and highly recommended for ages 50 years and over.
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.abc.net.au
Whether you’re from the house of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, you’re welcome to attend this event. Harry Potter fans are called upon to gather around and celebrate author J.K. Rowling’s birthday. There will be trivia, games, and giveaways galore!
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.drum.co.za/mobile/know-your-numbers
Listen to Kerry Dutton as she tells you the importance of numbers in aligning your goals and focusing on a future strategy. Ms Dutton is a chartered accountant, money motivator, and founder of Think180Degrees.
Photo credit: Featured image from http://www.dkim-reputation.org
A part of Brisbane Libraries Tech Connect workshop, this event will help you protect yourself against malwares and viruses. Other lessons include creating strong passwords and making safe online payments.
Photo credit: Featured image from http://sno-isle.org/events
Just like the 25th July activity in Fairfield stated above, this fun session in Annerley will make you and your baby “sing, dance, and clap” along with other toddlers and parents.
Photo credit: Featured image from https://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au/australian-native-garden-designs
Green thumbs are called to stop by for an afternoon of discussing the country’s native flora with horticulturalist Brian Sams. Know how to choose the right plant for the right spot. Learn how to care for them, too, to ensure their longevity.
If you want to have a dream cake that tastes as awesome as it looks, search no further than Annerley’s A Little Cake Place. They’ve got a plethora of mouth-watering sweet temptations that are guaranteed to delight both your eyes and your taste buds. Multi-awarded owner and Creative Director Caitlin Mitchell is proud to bring you beautiful haute couture cakes for all occasions. Well-appreciated and highly reviewed by many, Ms Mitchell’s impressive cake design skill is considered “one of Australia’s best.”
Multi-Awarded Baker of Dreams
Ms Mitchell began decorating cakes in 2011. She accidentally found her passion after she saw the scene from the movie “Bridesmaids” in which Annie (played by Kristen Wigg) made a really lovely cupcake. She then enrolled for an introductory course in Toowoomba’s Merivale Cakes & Crafts. Mary Reid, her teacher at that time, was purportedly impressed by her “abundance of natural talent.”
Since then, Ms Mitchell went further on to develop her own decorating style, which mostly consists of vintage elegance inspired by architecture, art, culture, and fashion. She also sought to learn from renowned Australian and international cake decorators by working with them. Among those people include Alan Dunn, Debbie Brown, Carlos Lischetti, Elaine McGregor, Frances McNaughton, Jackie Buckley, John Quoi Hoi, Karen Davies, Marilyn Hill, Marion Frost, Mich Turner, Peggy Porschen, Shayne Greenman, and Stephen Benison.
Recognition for Ms Mitchell’s skill started as early as 2012 when she attended a British Cake Decorating Tour in the British Sugarcraft Guild (BSG) Skill School. She was awarded a commendation for her cake design entry at the BSG International Cake Expo in Telford. At that time, it was a great achievement in her case as being yet a novice in the field of cake decorating. When she attended the same competition in 2015, she eventually won the Gold award.
Thirty-year-old Ms Mitchell now has an array of awards and recognitions in her portfolio. The annual Australian Bridal Industry Awards (ABIA) has had her name on their list being the 15th Finalist in 2013, 16th Top 5 (2014), 17th Winner (2015), 18th Winner (2016), and 19th Winner (June this year). The National ABIA Designer of Dreams Award for Cake Design, which she got in March, labeled her among the country’s best decorators.
Established in 2012, Ms Mitchell’s lovely cake enterprise easily became popular and tagged as “the haute couture of cakes.” Her currently in-demand signature upside-down and chandelier hanging cakes were the first in the Australian cake industry. This cake place is not your ordinary sweet hub of goodness. What sets them apart from the others is their bold, unique, and awesomely delicious flavours that are well-loved by those who have seen and tasted them.
Expect to be impressed by the efforts and skills of Ms Mitchell and her team of decorators. Each cake is handcrafted carefully and detailed enough to perfection. Ms Mitchell and her team use a wide range of skills and knowledge learned both locally and overseas. They’ve got an abundance of cake designs appropriate for various occasions like anniversaries, baby showers, birthdays, bridal showers, bucks night, christening, Christmas, corporate events, Easter, Fathers’ Day, graduations, Mothers’ Day, reunions, and weddings. If you’re not quite sure how you want your dream cake to look, feel free to have a talk with Ms Mitchell. She’ll give you a cake worthy of your every dollar.
Photo Credit: A Little Cake Place/Facebook
“We were blown away by the amazing flavours of dark chocolate and white chocolate, coconut and macadamia. Caitlin created a gorgeous design for us, not only did it taste great, look stunning – but her professionalism was second to none!” [ Hannah B, customer review ]
“We cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you did. I think every single person commented on the cake, not just the design, but the perfection of each tier and the flavor of each layer.” [ Alex M, customer review ]
“I have had my fair share of wedding cake, both eating and photographing them but these are on another level. We’re talking the “Haute Couture” of cake. Yes, there is such a thing. After having tried ten different flavours I cannot decide, I love them all! Talk about eye candy, this company does not follow trends, they set them. Simply astonishing to look at then the poor thing gets cut into pieces. Yikes! Hurry up and give me my slice, cuz it’s too delicious for words.” [ Luke Middlemiss, customer review ]
Photo Credit: Featured images from http://www.alittlecakeplace.com.au
Taste the mud cakes at Annerley’s A Little Cake Place. They’re said to be “a delicious surprise beneath their beautiful exterior.” Mud cakes aside, Ms Mitchell’s flavourful sweet temptations range from the standard chocolate cake to the lavish Queensland Delight. Drop in some time and have a try at the cake of your dreams. Ms Mitchell consistently builds rapport with her customers and she’ll be more than glad to serve you.
The available flavours for cake tasting include chocolate mud, white chocolate mud, caramel mud, red velvet, fruit cake, white chocolate Macadamia & coconut, orange & poppyseed, butterscotch, Turkish Delight, and choc mint. Other flavours include choc strawberry, Tropical Qld (with Banana, Passionfruit, Mango, & Pineapple), white Russian, choc orange, choc hazelnut, Qld Delight (with chocolate, coffee, & rum), Earl Grey, Bailey’s cream, ANZAC, cookies & cream, choc chilli, and musk. Gluten-free versions are also available on select flavours.
Hospitals in Queensland have been clobbered by patients complaining about skyrocketing parking fees. These patients point out that they pay more to park at hospitals than at the airport.
A health support worker, Justine Christerson, campaigned to lower the parking fees by launching an online petition. The Queensland Government took this into consideration and has now ordered hospitals in the state to adjust their parking fees.
Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Two Car Parks
Patients from Annerley have been complaining about the parking fees at the Princess Alexandra Hospital as well. The hospital is close to the suburb, which is why most of the residents in Annerley come here for their check-ups and treatments. Ms Christerson has cited the hospital as one of her examples on her online petition. Along with that are the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Mater, and the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital has two privately operated car parks close to the hospital. There is no on-site parking available. The Metro Parking multi-storey car park on the corner of Ipswich Road and O’Keefe Street parking rate starts at $4.20 for 30 minutes.
Another parking is the PA Parking multi-storey car park on Ipswich Road, just across the hospital. It charges $4 for 30 minutes.You can view their current parking price list here.
With these high prices, it’s understandable why Annerley patients would complain.
Changes in Hospital Parking Fees & Framework are Coming
The online petition garnered 16,807 supporters. Following the success of her online petition. Mrs Christerson is happy that the State Government has granted their request.
Last year, Health Minister Cameron Dick asked the Health Department to talk to health services on possibly making a new parking framework for hospitals.
Based on the State Government’s directive issued on 1 July 2017, all public hospitals and health services must come up with a local policy to make parking more accessible and affordable for patients, carers, visitors and hospital staff. A separate policy must also be created to cover the safety of hospital staff coming in or out of the parking areas between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The public hospitals must develop the parking concession policy by 1 October 2017 and the local staff parking policy by 31 December 2017.
Have you ever walked past an establishment with black and white stripes somewhere in Yeronga? That establishment is Café 63. And you can’t just walk past it because you’ll probably be lured in by the sweet smell of breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s surprising (not to mention amazing!) how this black and white food hub can serve delicacies that are good enough to colour one’s appetite.
Located in 19 Orontes Road, Yeronga’s Café 63 is a not-so-secret spot conveniently tucked away in the back streets of the suburb. It’s just one of the few hubs in the area that has easily become a favourite among the locals. Why? They’ve got great coffee, yummy food, friendly service, and a brilliant atmosphere. What else? There’s an adorable park outside for your al fresco dining view, that’s what!
This famous black and white beauty of a café boasts a rather extensive and colourful menu. You’ll find food items on their menu have their own catchy names. Thinking about what’s behind the interesting and witty names is just as much fun as figuring out what to eat. Quite an effective strategy to catch people’s attention and whet their appetites.
Some of the café’s patron-recommended items are the Alpha, Baroona, Brunswick 9, Coronation 9, Fire Station, Leaning Tower, Liz Hurley, McLaren, Romney Marsh, and Sir Don. They offer all-day breakfast items, along with hearty options for lunch and dinner. Their menu is so extensive that even the most picky diner is guaranteed to find something that they will want to try.
For coffeeholics, the café serves delicious cups of Di Bella Coffee, which can be served flat white or any other way that suits you. The coffee at Yeronga’s Café 63 is sure to wake you up at any time. On the other hand, if you’re not much of a coffee lover, the hub also has a juice bar that serves refreshing fruity concoctions.
This adorable food hub also sells enticing bouquets of flowers for all occasions. As if the tempting aroma of coffee and the appetising smell of delicious meals aren’t enough to lure you in, the fragrance of flowers will definitely put you in some sort of spell. You can choose to dine with the flowers or you can grab one along with your takeaway food. That fresh bunch really does make a difference!
“Really reasonably priced food with big servings. Lots of variety so excellent for families. Lovely staff and good atmosphere. Good for big families.” [ Clare Foran, visitor review ]
“Great local cafe – big menu with lots of comfort food, friendly staff and even bunches of flowers on sale!” [ Lamorna Pukepuke Ahitapu Rogers, visitor review ]
The café opens seven days a week with varying times. They’re available from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends and on Mondays to Wednesdays. For Thursdays and Fridays, they open at 6:00 a.m. with the closing time at 9:00 p.m. Their breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks specials are available for reservations, caterings, walk-ins, and takeaways.
Established less than seven years ago, Café 63 has rapidly grown to be among Brisbane’s most popular cafés. They now reportedly serve an approximate total of 2,000,000 customers each year. They are so well-appreciated by many that, apart from their Yeronga hub, they can also be found in several other locations in Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, and Toowoomba. For bookings, reservations, or inquiries, you may contact them via Facebook or call them on (+61) 7 3848 2657 or (+61) 1300 636 300. You may also send an email to cafe63yeronga@gmail.com or rr63@bigpond.com.
Celebrity Chef Ben O’Donoghue’s Billykart Kitchen in Annerley has been voted as one of the best cafés in Brisbane. The “casual yet sophisticated” food hub was among the “Ten Best Cafes” in Brisbane, as voted by the people in The Weekend Edition recently. Owners Ben and his wife, De-Arne Wicks (Dee), describes their menu as “casual sophistication” with a range of ever-changing exciting items to choose from.
For a decade now, the café scene in Brisbane has shown rapid growth and success. Each suburb has its own array of food havens to boast. But over time, there will always be those hubs that excel in the hearts (and appetites) of the people. That’s exactly what happened to Annerley’s Billykart Kitchen ever since it opened in September 2013.
What used to be the old Clifton Hill General Store is now a vibrant food hub with delectable items well-appreciated by both locals and tourists. Standing proudly in the wide tree-lined streets of the suburb, the establishment was named for the fact that the area was a “hotspot” in the 1950s “for kids to race billykarts down the hills.” It is for this same reason that the charming 80-seater café maintains its sweet “corner store” vibe.
Located in Annerley’s 1 Eric Cres, this licensed café serves food items cooked from “fresh, local and seasonal produce” by Australia’s renowned celebrity chef, television presenter, and author. Their menu items are regularly changing to meet the demands and differing interests of everyone. “We see Billykart Kitchen as being a real part of the community and look forward to connecting with all the locals,” said Ben.
Owners Ben and Dee also proudly grow spices and herbs in their own organic garden. With this, café patrons are guaranteed to be eating healthy garden to gourmet fare. Their well-loved food items include the Aussie Asian Eggs (with King Prawns Bacon & Chili and Date), Apple and Quinoa Bircher Muesli, Roasted Coconut, Hazelnut & Pecans, Pulled Berkshire Pork Shoulder, Sugar Loaf Slaw & Baja Sauce, Chili Mussel and Diamond Shell Clams, and Charcuterie Board with House-made Piccalilli.
They also serve Danish pastries and gluten-free baked goods. They make scrumptious complements for delicious cups of warm Campos Coffee. Cakes, jams, cream, and butter are produced straight from the café’s nifty kitchen.
Friday nights at Billykart Kitchen are fun moments to remember. It is only during this day of the week that the café stays open to “serve a special dinner service.” Each Friday, Chef Ben showcases “a range of diverse cuisines” depending on the season and available produce. Sometimes, he even serves really delicious food at his own fancy. If you’re lucky, you might be in for a rather tasty surprise!
Photo Credit: Featured image from https://www.zomato.com/brisbane/billy-kart-kitchen-moorooka
“Stumbled upon this corner cafe and so glad that we did. First impression, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Everything on the menu sounds amazing but you have to have the crispy pork with cuttlefish and Asian salad… it’s to die for! I could easily have another serving!!! Looking forward to coming back to eat my way through the menu.” [ Stacey Tan, visitor review ]
Annerley’s Billykart Kitchen is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Fridays), and 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays). Bookings are essential. For inquiries, reservations, and private functions, you may call on (+61) 7 3392 9275 or email to info@billykartkitchen.com.
Stop by the Annerley Junction this 1 July and be prepared for a fun shopping experience. Choose from a wide array of really affordable goods. The Annerley Junction Jumble Sale will be “Unplugged” again this 2017! Event starts this weekend at 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You wouldn’t want to be late in this phenomenal winter event.
Last year’s Jumble Sale was a huge hit, setting a new milestone with an increased number of stalls, the highest turnout so far in its four years of history. This year won’t be much different given that everyone of all ages and abilities are invited. Shoppers are guaranteed to be busy scouring over preloved (secondhand) and/or handmade products from the various multicultural stalls. Baked goods and tasty food items are also available.
This year’s Jumble Sale forms part of the joint event with Annerley’s Arcade Market, Community Hub “Buy Swap Sell” Market, and Junction Traders Association. The event will be more community-centred and fun for everyone. There will be a fantastic strip of shops, restaurants offering specials, and some worthwhile activities. You can choose to shop, dine, be creative or attend a fitness class. Your day at the Junction will be yours to enjoy!
Are you up for some street fun? It’s going to be a busy day at the Junction this weekend. Photo Credit: Featured image from http://www.annerley.org
With the Community Hub’s “Buy, Swap, Sell” Market this weekend, shoppers can spoil themselves with tempting discounts on clothes, books, and other contemporary finds. The Arcade Market, meanwhile, will feature crafted goods ranging from artisan, handmade, vintage, collectables, and bric a bracs. It will be a busy yet vibrant day for all during this year’s Annerley Junction Jumble Sale.
Parents are also welcome to bring their toddlers along. The little ones can enjoy their very own Toddler Time session. There’s the One Million Stars Craft, too, where parent and child can both join the fun for a good cause to end violence. And, if you can’t get enough of your creativity, get busy with some Chalk Art and display your skill along the footpath.
Food trippers and coffee lovers, on the other hand, can indulge themselves at cafés. They can check out Annerley Kitchen, Dudley Street Espresso, and Little Clive. There’s a food truck and sausage sizzle, too!
From comic book stores, fabric halls, antiques display, jewellery stalls, and much more, what’s not to like in this annual event? There’s sure to be everything for everyone in the family at this weekend’s Jumble Sale. So, don’t miss out and bargain away!
Ever since the Brisbane City Council coordinated with various community gardens, more locals have participated in making Brisbane a healthier and greener environment. Yeronga is one of many communities that are actively participating in this crusade. On Sunday, the 18th of June, the Yeronga Community Garden will host a Compost and Worm Farm Workshop. This free event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to learn how to “reduce the organic waste” sent to Brisbane’s landfills.
In line with the BCC’s composting project, one of the primary goals of community gardens is to educate locals on using kitchen and garden scraps for organic soil enrichment. This way, there would be lesser usage of chemicals in gardens and landfills would be rid of organic waste. Indeed, it is a better idea to use such wastes in gardens instead of just sending them over to landfills.
Composting promotes healthy soil and organic crops. Photo Credit: Helen Hynd via Yeronga Community Gardens Group/Facebook
Organically-fed edible plants are healthier to eat than those fed with chemicals and other commercial fertilizers. Also, food waste is reportedly “a big part of what goes into Brisbane’s bins” causing organic materials to pile up in landfills. Because of this, the BCC is thus promoting organic waste composting in all of Brisbane.
The BCC’s Community Composting program encourages locals who live near the newly-supplied composting hubs to “regularly contribute their kitchen scraps to the community garden compost bin.” Educational workshops will also be conducted for everyone to “learn more about the many benefits of composting and other great ways to reduce the amount of organic waste.” Participants to such workshops will be given “a free kitchen caddy”, which they can use for collecting and transporting waste materials to the nearby composting hubs.
Those kitchen scraps would serve your garden better than the landfill. Photo Credit: Featured image from http://www.doityourself.com/stry/is-your-garden-as-organic-as-you-think-it-is
Among the community gardens currently involved in the program are the ones in Annerley and Yeronga. The workshop, which will be conducted on the 3rd Sunday of June, will be held in the suburb’s community garden conveniently located at 24 Killarney Street. Attendees are advised to “wear a hat and flat enclosed shoes.” People are also advised to bring drinking water and sunscreen. Morning tea is provided on site.
Limited places are available for the event. Participants of all ages are welcome. For bookings and inquiries, you may contact the BCC on 07 3403 8888. If you have time to spare, stop by and help make Brisbane a healthier and greener place to live.
Meanwhile, if you want to sign up for a free BCC compost and worm farm workshop or to simply be involved at your nearby community composting hub, register online by clicking here.
