The Fifty Six Restaurant launched this week with an awesome range of Cantonese dishes. It is located on the top floor of the stunning heritage-listed Naldham House.
The restaurant’s name is derived from the 56 brave Chinese immigrants who decided to make Brisbane their home. They become the start of Brisbane’s vibrant Chinese community. It’s a nice homage to the influence of their cuisine and culture on the river city.
There is an extensive dim sum offering, curated by Dim Sum Master Ka Wai Kwok. Be tempted by a chicken and coconut soup, and QLD ‘blue swimmer crab’ baked in its shell.
The highlights were the prawn har gow and pork spring rolls. The menu also featured crispy lemon chicken with pearl barley. Steamed Murray cod with fragrant soy, ginger, and scallions was included.
If you’re adventurous, you might like to try the Quail tea egg and avruga caviar. Alternatively, you can choose the QLD bay lobster pao fan in superior broth.
I’m looking forward to going back to taste the Moo shu duck pancakes with cucumber and house hoi sin, Salt and pepper calamari, Sweet and sour Berkshire pork, capsicum, charred pineapple and Wok-tossed Bannockburn chicken, wood ear, snap peas and toasted macadamia.
You could share a roast with a friend. Select from the Honey-glazed Berkshire pork char siu and the Dry-aged five-spiced half duck with Davidson plum sauce.
You can add some traditional sides. Examples include Fragrant jasmine rice or fried rice. Other options are Wok-tossed seasonal greens with garlic and Steamed gai lan with house-made oyster sauce. You might also consider Zucchini fritters with chili, basil and lemongrass. Lastly, there is Wok-tossed Urban Valley mushrooms and spinach.
Finish your meal with the melt-in-your-mouth Mango pudding with coconut chia. Alternatively, try the Chocolate brownie mochi with vanilla bean ice cream. The dessert menu includes White chocolate, matcha and mandarin, or Deep-fried toffee ice cream with char siu caramel.
If you’re finding it hard to decide, then a tasting menu will suit you. You’ll need to order in advance and have at least 2 people. The three options are: Signature tasting menu, seasonal tasting menu and vegetarian tasting menu.
“The Fifty-Six is a beautiful restaurant that will enhance the vibrant food scene of Brisbane and offer a taste of Hong Kong style. I am bringing my love and passion for Cantonese cuisine and mixing it with modern techniques which I believe will be a very special dining experience”, said Head Chef Gerald Ong.
Ong designed a menu to be shared. Expect delicious snacks like ‘drunken prawn tart’. These are meant to be devoured in one bite. ‘Tea quail egg with caviar’ provides a textural delight. Enjoy ‘Harvey Bay scallops with house XO’ as well.
The cocktail list has been created by Shawn Brown and Bar Manager, Reece Van Rijen.
“Working with the kitchen sharing resources and ingredients we aim to provide authentic flavours blended with produce locally sourced and bring something to the people of Brisbane they may not have tried before but also has a sense of familiarity along with it.” said Shawn Brown.
The modern luxe décor has been designed by famed interior designer Anna Spiro. Think comfy green leather booths and leather seats with Tiffany turquoise tables, marble accents and arched windows. I love the modern artwork, the marshmallow twist lampshades and the funky geometric rugs.
Bookings recommended.
About DAP & Co
DAP & CO. Hospitality Group was created in 2011, when the Directors, Andrew Baturo, Denis Sheahan and Paul Piticco collaborated on and opened Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bar in the new River Quay precinct in Brisbane’s iconic Southbank. On the back of its success, in 2013 the trio opened the award-winning Gresham Bar in Brisbane’s CBD. In late 2017, they secured the tenancy of the ground floor of Old Mineral House, where they restored the interior to match the imposingly beautiful exterior and brought New York charm to Downtown Brisbane as Walter’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar.
The Directors have an astute understanding of the need to match the offer to the location. Many of their projects have required the development of heritage listed buildings such as The Petrie Terrace Barracks, The QLD National Bank Building and Old Mineral House. They are proficient in handling the elevated and exacting requirements when refurbishing such buildings, in a respectful manner that compliments the aesthetic and architecture.
They have a holistic approach towards restaurant and bar development, taking a collective vision and adapting this to suit a specific context. DAP & Co has a proven ability to work efficiently within precincts such as South Bank Corporation, The Barracks and Eagle Street Pier, and take great pride in being a member of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and part of the bigger picture of Brisbane.
About The Fifty Six
The Fifty Six website: https://www.thefiftysix.com.au/
Located at 33 Felix St, Brisbane City, Qld 4000.
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