Sugar and spice and everything nice. Southside residents, you’re in for a fantastic Valentine’s Day treat! Cinnabon Australia is opening its second Brisbane store at Westfield Garden City on Friday, the 14th of February 2020.
You can finally grab a fresh ‘bon in the oven at the Cinnabon store on the second level of the shopping centre opposite Stefan as early as 8:00 a.m. The U.S. bakery chain is famous for making a fresh batch of its ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls every half-hour so customers always get ’em hot and soft.
To avoid the long lines on opening day, you may pre-order a CinnaPack online to be picked up at its Westfield Garden City outlet. This pick-up option will be operational any day of the week so you’re free to choose a convenient date beginning 14 Feb.
Photo Credit: Cinnabon Australia/Facebook
CinnaPacks come in a box of four or nine (MiniBons) and you can choose from the following flavours:
Cinnabon Classics
Caramel PecanBon
Mixed Cinnabon
ChocoBon
Queensland company Bansai Group is responsible for bringing the famous cinnamon buns to Australia. The company opened its first Brisbane store at the Toombul Shopping Centre in Nundah just before Christmas in 2019. It plans to open 50 more stores all over Australia in the next five years.
As with its first Brisbane store, Cinnabon Westfield Garden City offers coffee, frappes and heaps of sinfully sweet drinks to pair with the food. Check the official site for its trading hours.
As the days wind down until Christmas, Mt Gravatt Plaza has a few more activities lined up to warm up joy. Feel the spirit of the holiday by visiting this shopping centre on Creek Road.
Here are the Christmas activities you can expect during your visit until the 24th of December 2019.
Kids Christmas Craft
When
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Until the 21st of Dec 2019
Where
Outside Chatterbox
Bring your kids to Mt Gravatt Plaza for a few hours of fun and enriching crafting activities. The children will be taught to make paper baubles or decorate their own gingerbread at this FREE event. There’s no need to book a slot, so feel free to drop by with your little ones.
Charity Gift Wrapping
When
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Weekdays) 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Weekends) Until the 22nd of Dec 2019
Where
Outside Coles
Since it’s the season of giving, you can take part in a charity drive by having your Christmas gifts beautifully wrapped in exchange for a gold coin donation. One wrapped present equals one gold coin donation. Proceeds will go to The Lions Club of Greater Mount Gravatt Mansfield Inc.
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily Until the 24 of Dec 2019
Where
Outside Coles
The kids would surely love a Christmas keepsake with Santa Claus so head down to the Santa Booth for a photoshoot with the jolly old man. A digital copy of the moving photos (gifs) and still photos will be emailed to the parents. The children will also get a free photo book.
This is another FREE event and every participant has a chance to win a $200 gift voucher from Mt Gravatt Plaza retailers if they publicly share their gifs on social media. Use the hashtag #mtgravattplaza to be considered for the draw. Winners will be picked on the 24th of Dec 2019.
While you’re there, you may also shop for ingredients for your Christmas Day feast. Mt Gravatt Plaza has two grocery stores, a butcher shop, a seafood market and a bakery.
The centre also provides ample covered parking spaces for Christmas rush shoppers. The stores open at 9:00 a.m.
Hallowed Grounds Espresso in Mt Gravatt is a familiar local hangout that’s usually teeming with people who want their coffee fix and delicious bites. Since the middle of 2019, this cafe on Logan Road has undergone an expansion and revamp with its new look, new menu and new opening hours.
Today, there is plenty of room for dining or relaxing at Hallowed Grounds, including room for locals to bring their precious pooches in for some flavoured treats. Though the classic food choices remain, such as the avocado smash and the great-tasting Elixir coffee, the new menu caters to food adventures that will have patrons coming back.
The newest breakfast special, the Tuscan bowl (polenta, flat mushroom, poached eggs and kale), is perfect for energising your day, whilst its spicy El Camino (minced beef with tomato, eggs, avocado, sour cream and jalapeños) kicks up the heat to satisfy your cravings. Hallowed Grounds serves all-day breakfast fares like pancakes, bacon, cheese and eggs. The lunch menu has heaps of options from sandwiches, pasta, dish-fish taco, Asian fried wonton coleslaw, and steak with fries.
Photo Credit: Hallowed Grounds Espresso/Facebook
The counter cabinet has more than just muffins for dinners looking to grab a quick bite. The pastry selection is more diversified with, among other choices, vegan cupcakes, lamingtons, Hummingbird cake, and Moroccan orange and pistachio slices.
Photo Credit: Hallowed Ground Espresso/Facebook
Now that Hallowed Grounds is open till late night on weekends, diners can enjoy some drinks with a platter of nibbles. In keeping with the relaxing vibe, live music plays every Friday night featuring some of Brisbane’s talented singers and songwriters.
Photo Credit: Hallowed Grounds Espresso/Facebook
Hallowed Grounds Espresso’s new opening hours are updated on its Facebook page.
“Had a great experience having brekkie with wife and baby. Friendly staff served us with a smile. Ordered coffee and eggs Benedict in brioche. Both really good. I even ordered a second coffee. The place is very spacious with a back sitting area. We had no trouble finding a place to sit. Can even call in to reserve a spot if you want more certainty. We sat inside near the front so baby can look around at people and watch cars go past outside.”
~ Naveen Warusavithana, Google Reviews
“Congratulation to the extension of this business. Walked in and glad to see the spacious dine-in area. Ordered a flat white and a plain croissant with jam & butter. Needless to say, I took a seat inside (seems the first time to get a chance to sit indoor). Food & beverage came to the table very quick and the coffee is no doubt keeping a consistent standard. Although the croissant is average, it may achieve a higher mark if the service at the counter can be more passionate.”
“Haven’t been for a while but thought I’d give it a go on the way home. Love the reno & additional seating. Still great coffee and my avo on toast didn’t disappoint. Will be back.”
Do you enjoy a fusion of Asian and Western cuisine for breakfast? If you’re hankering for a different flair, Little Glass Room Espresso Bar in Logan Road, Mt Gravatt is where east meets west and you will not be disappointed about starting your day at this restaurant.
Little Glass Room Espresso Bar opened its doors in the middle of 2019 to offer diners an extensive breakfast, brunch and lunch menu, where they can have both Asian or Western food or a combination of both. The idea was borne out of its owners’ frustration on breakfast food after experiencing a lack of choices from other cafes in Mt Gravatt and the nearby suburbs. The owners, by the way, are behind the community favourite and award-winning Modern Thai restaurant next door.
This foodie spot serves an all-day breakfast menu featuring the classics like eggs benny with homemade sauce or avocado smash. The standout breakfast meal, however, is a delicious bowl of Forbidden Rice (black rice pudding with coconut cream and in-season fruits) that is richly satisfying and gives all the energy you need for the day.
Photo Credit: Little Glass Room Espresso Bar/Facebook
Photo Credit: Little Glass Room Espresso Bar/Facebook
On the other hand, lunch selections at this Thai-Western cafe include soft shell crab burgers on brioche buns, delightful stir-fried Thai rice noodles, healthy chicken tom yum and a reliable Pad Thai.
Little Glass Room Espresso Bar has quite an inviting vibe. When you step into the restaurant, you’ll get a sense of calm and peace, which would be perfect if you’d like to enjoy your meals amidst a quiet atmosphere.
Open at 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, except Monday, Little Glass Room Espresso Bar also serves The Cat’s Pyjamas coffee blends from Seven Miles, a selection of tea, lattes, juices, Thai iced coffee, and fresh coconut juice. The establishment is also dog-friendly, with an outdoor deck area for lounging and hanging out.
“We just had brunch here today and would highly recommend this place. It is dog-friendly and we were able to take our foster dog Zoe for her first outing to this cafe. The staff was extremely friendly and very accommodating as we had two kids and a giant dog with us!! It has been a while since I have received such genuine and amazing service. The food was amazing as well!! 5 stars for this place and take your woofstars with you too so they can enjoy an outing as well.”
“Great selection and a generous portion of Thai plus little French-influenced food is fab. The deco was good, staff was very attentive and polite. I will definitely return and will proudly recommend to like-minded diners. Enjoy.”
~ WH C, Google Reviews
“Atmosphere and decor are lovely. Staff is excellent very attentive and most professional. But most importantly the food is fantastic kudos to the chef very impressed, clean fresh and dynamic food. We would highly recommend the Little Glass Room. We will return.”
American bakery chain store Cinnabon, best known for its cinnamon rolls, is opening its first four sites in Brisbane. The Mt Gravatt outlet is reportedly set to begin trading in January 2020 at Westfield Garden City on Kessels Road.
Bansal Group, operated by a Queensland family company, is bringing the franchise Down Under by rolling out its first four outlets in Brisbane’s north, south and west. Aside from Westfield Garden City, Cinnabon Australia stores will also rise at Nundah’s Toombul Shopping Center, Westfield Chermside and Mt Ommaney Centre.
Cinnabon Australia’s Facebook Page confirmed the bakery’s opening in Nundah before Christmas and the Mt Gravatt outlet by January.
Most of these Cinnabon Australia sites will most likely be kiosks vacated by other food outlets. The franchise takes pride in its reputation as a quick-service restaurant that produces fresh baked goods in-house every 30 minutes.
In January 2019, Bansal Group announced that it will be “opening multiple stores in Brisbane” by the end of the year. According to reports, the company quietly posted several job ads online with “multiple positions available” to prepare for its launch.
Bansal Group has massive plans to set up 50 stores across the country for the next five years. Company director Gaurav Bansal said that there is a strong market for the famous cinnamon rolls amidst the deluge of doughnuts and muffin stores in Australia.
Last year’s inaugural Japanese festival in Mt Gravatt, Matsuri Brisbane, was such a success that it’s returning for a second time. Here’s your chance to immerse and experience all things Japan and celebrate the rich diversity and multiculturalism of the community.
Set for Saturday, the 7th of Sept. 2019, Matsuri Brisbane, which is roughly translated as “a festival in Brisbane,” is happening at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds on Logan Road. Hosted by the Brisbane Seinendan, this celebration will be on from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
It won’t be a party without the food and Matsuri Brisbane will be a showcase of delicious Japanese delights, street food, supermarket snacks and alcoholic drinks. Local creatives will also be selling various Japanese inspired arts and crafts.
Photo Credit: Matsuri Brisabane/Facebook
Photo Credit: Matsuri Brisabane/Facebook
The showgrounds will be divided into different sections for cultural activities. If you’d like to participate, you can learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy or the art of flower arranging (Ikebana), or compete in the Yukata contest to see who can dress up in a Kimono the fastest.
Traditional Japanese games played by the immigrants as youngsters will also be featured in the sideshow attractions. However, if you’d just like to be a spectator, you can watch the Martial Arts demonstrations or the performances on stage.
“We expected many non-Japanese people would be interested in Matsuri, but many more people than we expected showed up,” Takayoshi Momose of Brisbane Seinendan, who led the organisation of last year’s event, said.
“We are trying to make a solid Japanese community, which can be a strong support for our next generation,” he added.
“Also, we want to introduce Japanese culture to people in Australia.”
Matsuri Brisbane is on its way to becoming the biggest Japanese festival in Brisbane. This event requires no entrance fees and it’s open anyone who would love to know more about the culture of Japan.
Have you ever been to a cent auction? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been to a cent auction before, you’ll get the chance to enjoy this event in Mt Gravatt this August.
On Saturday, the 31st of Aug 2019, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Greek Orthodox Southside Parish on Creek Road is hosting a cent auction from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For $10, guests will be entitled to one sheet to participate in the auction and they may also partake in afternoon tea and Baklava.
In a cent auction, you bid using tickets found on your sheet. This paper bears a stub with your assigned number. If you like an item at the auction, just take out a stub from your sheet and put this in the box or bucket. After everyone has made their bids, a stub will be drawn from those boxes or buckets to determine the winner of the item for bidding.
If you really want that item, you can put as many stubs as you want to increase your chances of winning.
Friends and family said their final goodbye to rugby league legend Jeff Fyfe, also known as Jeffrey William Fyfe, who was laid to rest at the Mt Gravatt cemetery on Friday, 26 July 2019.
Mr Fyfe, who battled dementia, died at the age of 70 surrounded by his children Clint, Sean and Scott, and longtime partner Deborah, per his obituary.
The rugby legend is best remembered remembered for his winning field goal kick during the 1972 finals between the Easts Tigers and the Valleys. Mr Fyfe never kicked a field goal before but with the clock winding down and the scores locked to 15-all, he made that decisive move, which has been regarded as one of the greatest deciding games in Australian rugby history.
Teammate Jeff Lang recalled how he had been screaming at Mr Fyfe, whom he fondly called as Fyfy, during that crucial match to not to kick the ball.
“I wanted him to take one more ruck and give it to Lee Hutchinson for the next one,” Mr Lang relayed in the book “Lang Park, The First 36 Years: Memories, Magic, Mayhem.”
“Anyway, he’s kicked it. It was a little wobbly old kick. A Bunny Pearce special. It just lobbed over in the corner. I went from screaming, ‘Don’t kick it!’ to ‘You little Beauty!'”
The win would end a 22-year championship drought for the team. Some 42,000 people were at the stadium to witness rugby league history unfold.
The day after Mr Fyfe passed, Suzuki Easts Tigers posted a message to honour their teammate.
“Easts Tigers are deeply saddened to hear Club Legend, an immortal Tiger, Jeff Fyfe, who passed away last night, surrounded by love and memories,” the message read.
“The Club sends its condolences to the Fyfe family, our love and blessing to them and especially Jeff at this time.”
On the outside, the vegan eatery Loving Hut on Logan Road in Mt Gravatt might not look impressive enough for passersby, but appearances can be deceiving.
Situated in an old shopping strip, this restaurant’s structure may be considered ordinary compared to other modern restaurants. However, once you’ve tried Loving Hut’s dishes and learn of its price points, you’ll likely keep coming back. You’ll also likely indulge in the food without guilt because this establishment is 100 percent vegan.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Loving Hut’s menu is Pan Asian inspired with a bit of influence from the West. Their best-sellers are the crispy fried vegan fish protein meal called Seven Seas Delight, the Garlic Butter Cutlet, and the special Laksa.
This restaurant also serves a vegetable-filled, protein-rich Golden Curry in a creamy sauce or Sweet and Sour Soy Nuggets paired with a good helping of rice. Loving Hut also has pasta dishes like Mushroom Carbonara with fettuccini or a Rawsome Zucchini spaghetti with vegetables.
Plate servings are generous and presentable and the meals don’t go over $16.00 per order. Loving Hut also has desserts to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Photo Credit: Loving Hut Brisbane/Facebook
To sustain the healthy food habits of your family, the restaurant has a grocery section where you can buy vegan items to cook at home.
While not exactly the place to impress your date, this is the right restaurant to bring friends and family especially if you want to eat heaps of healthy but tasty food.
Loving Hut in Mt Gravatt is part of a chain of vegan eatery in Australia as it also has stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Victoria. The Brisbane site is open Monday thru Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“Amazing food. We are usually meat eaters but have food allergies to egg and dairy amongst other things that make vegan eating a whole lot easier. This restaurant was great on all fronts, great food and good knowledge of their food so they could advise and adjust where possible to accommodate our restrictions. We will definitely be back!”
~ Elizabeth Shakhovskoy, Google Reviews
“Always a good time when I come here. Amazing variety of vegan food and at an affordable price. They are always friendly and polite, would definitely recommend the lasagne for first timers!”
“Ordered golden curry as it was recommended by the owner. Knew they’ve got a 4.2 score before I came still didn’t put too much expectation because I just don’t find the menu appealing. But it all changed after I had first bite of the food. I have to say this is the best curry I’ve ever had! Even though it’s vegan. Turns out turning vegan is not so hard if vegan food can be this good! I know i know it’s curry but I have to say that this curry is full of flavour! Will definitely go back and try other dishes.”
Are you planning on acquiring a zero-emission vehicle? If you’re looking at some options, visit Keema Hyundai in Mt Gravatt and ask about the 2019 Kona Electric, the country’s first “100 percent electric small SUV” which will be available in Australia starting the end of 2019.
The 2019 Kona Electric comes in three models: Highlander, Elite and the Launch Edition. Its design has some similarities to the Hyundai Kona Highlander 1.6 turbo. However, as an electric vehicle (EV), the Kona Electric comes with a higher price tag ranging from $59,000 to $65,000, depending on the model.
For a small SUV, this electric vehicle does not look as radical as the Nissan Leaf or theTesla. Its interior carries a well-structured and clean design with a digital centre console and a cross-section of control buttons minus the stick shift.
The Kona EV may be comparable to BMW’s i3S in terms of design, performance and price range. However, this car’s battery is more powerful than BMW or Nissan’s electric vehicles.
Photo Credit: Hyundai Australia
Queensland Electric Super Highway
Going on a long drive using an electric vehicle is a lot more convenient when there’s the world’s long electric super highway. Since 2017, the Queensland Electric Super Highway has been slowly supporting zero-emission vehicles on the road with its convenient and safe fast-charging locations.
Currently, there are 16 charging sites on this super highway with four areas nearest to Mount Gravatt:
Toowoomba at 10810 Warrego Hwy, Charlton QLD
Gatton at The University of Queensland Main Drive & Outer Ring Road, Gatton QLD
Springfield at 4 David Henry Way, Springfield Central QLD
Brisbane at North Shore Hamilton 281 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton QLD
These locations are also near restaurants, shops and other amenities that should satisfy your time on the road. To check for other charging stations, view the Queensland Electric Super Highway map.
The Queensland Electric Super Highway has two charging options. Be sure that you’re aware of the specs of your EV before plugging it in and set up your Chargefox account online before using the facilities.
To register your interest for the Kona EV, fill up an application online or visit Keema Hyundai Mt Gravatt at 1532 Logan Road. Its trading hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
