Normally ‘soft openings’ make me cranky. They’re sort of like; ‘yes, we’re open but don’t judge us, and please media; ”stay away.’
The venue doesn’t want us to write anything about them, until THEY feel ready. Then come the gushing PR releases and invites to write about the ‘newly opened X restaurant.’ It might be two weeks, it might be three. The concept loses even more ground with the advent of social media; with the immediacy of social media meaning yesterday’s news is literally old news.
However, in this case, I’m happy to make an exception because Stokehouse is having a soft opening for a good case. I reckon the paint will only just be dry at the new Stokehouse restaurant at Southbank for it’s first function. The venue has decided to have a ‘soft opening’ on Melbourne Cup Day.
The lunch is in aid of the AEIOU Foundation which supports children with autism.
The 120 seater has a restaurant, a bar with a wide deck and a separate mezzanine level for private events, each they say boasting “stunning views of the Brisbane River and CBD.”
“We are very excited about launching Stokehouse here in Brisbane. The Melbourne Cup charity fund-raiser for The AEIOU Foundation seems the perfect way to host our first event and to open the restaurant,” owner Frank van Haandel he said. “We are looking forward to a busy few months ahead with a number of PR and corporate events already scheduled.”
Champagne Pol Roger and a five-course lunch are on offer, along with a selection of Craggy Range wines. The menu will include Mooloolaba spanner crab tartlet with celeriac remoulade, caviar, chervil; ; Crayfish and reef fish tortelloni with tomato, white wine and parsley; ‘Q’ farm lamb sirloin with baby peas, candied pumpkin and morels; and “The Bombe” – strawberry sorbet, white chocolate parfait and toasted meringue.
Guests can also enjoy an array of rare wines at The Tasting Table and a salon-style showing of the fashion from Samantha Ogilvie and Mitchell Ogilvie.
There’s also going to be sweeps and mystery prizes with the race broadcast on screens.
Tickets are $250 per head, which is a little too rich for this journalist’s meagre budget, but if you have a little spare, it’s for a great cause. The AEIOU Foundation is a not-for-profit organisaton that does wonderful things for children with autism
AND you get to get to see the Stokehouse before anyone else!
Book your ticket through AEIOU on (07) 3320 7575.
