Supernormal owner to open second Brisbane eatery
The owner behind Supernormal will open two Brisbane venues this year.
Highly regarded restaurateur Andrew McConnell, who is behind Melbourne venues Gimlet, Cumulus Inc and Cutler & Co, will open European eatery called Bar Miette, as well as the Brisbane version of Supernormal in winter this year.
The two restaurants will be be located at 443 Queen St in the Brisbane CBD.
The 150-seat Supernormal can be found beneath the street fronting the Brisbane River and the 80-seat Bar Miette will overlook the water.
“What really struck me about this opportunity after spending a lot of time in Brisbane over the last few years and in this part of the city and on the river, having something that’s really relaxed and really casual and all-day where people can drop into at any time of the day was something that was missing,” McConnell said.
Halcyon House chef Jason Barratt will lead the kitchen at Bar Miette and Supernormal. On offer will be bacon bap with gentleman’s relish in the morning, charcuterie or salad at lunch, snacks and classic European food in the evenings.
The venues will be open from breakfast to dinner.
“For me, on a professional level, it’s the biggest job I’ve had to date so I’m excited to get in the kitchen and start cooking, but for Brisbane, it’s really exciting because there’s so many great restaurants and I can’t wait to be part of that,” Barratt said.
McConnell said Bar Miette will be keenly priced to deal with cost of living pressures.
“I don’t think it ever gets any easier or less stressful with the more experience you have because the climate changes so quickly,” he said.
“Only in the last 12 months you can see the economic burden for a lot of people.
“But I think our approach is to try to keep what we’re doing quite accessible and you can just come and have a snack and a glass of wine and have a great experience without having to commit to that whole dining experience of an entree, main and dessert and wine and before you know it you’re spending hundreds of dollars.”
Supernormal will also be accessibly priced, however the menu will be different from Melbourne.
“I didn’t want to pick up a menu and just drop it in Brisbane because the climate and the produce is so different, so we’ve taken it as an opportunity to evolve what we do and create a different direction,” McConnell said.
Barratt will work closely with award-winning Queensland.
Both venues are expected to open in late June or early July.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th May 2024
