Nickel Kitchen & Bar Is Bringing DIY Degustations to Fortitude Valley

Many a place promises a classic-meets-contemporary experience, but when Nickel Kitchen & Bar throws open its doors on April 29, it looks set to actually deliver on that description. Predominantly offering up meals that will take many diners back to their childhoods, the brand new Fortitude Valley restaurant also plans to shake things up with boozy brunches, late-night meals and something they call a 'DIY degustation'.

A menu filled with homestyle dishes takes care of the first part of the equation for the new Ann Street addition — think Barossa Valley chicken Kiev with garlic butter, heirloom vegetables and herb crumb (seriously, when was the last time you ate chicken Kiev?), and honey-roasted chicken paired with bacon and chive waffles. As for the latter, the details are still being finalised, but we're interested to see how a 'DIY degustation' differs from 'ordering off the menu'.

Nickel is the latest venture from Nantucket Kitchen & Bar and NKB Express owners TJ and Kim Peabody, and endeavours to embody a blend of old and new across the board. Drinks-wise, that means a 250-drop wine library behind the bar boasting all the best tipples from today and times gone by, plus a hefty spirits list and a bespoke cocktail selection. Style-wise, that means anyone from the after work crowd to those keen on a boozy brunch are welcome in Nickel's art deco surroundings.

Indeed, when it comes to décor, the cosy spot decks its halls with old-school fixtures, including leather booths, pressed metal and dark timber galore, and a chandelier made entirely of wine glasses. So, we're calling it: nostalgic places always try to hark back to yesteryear while giving things a forward-thinking twist, but Nickel might be the place to nail that combination.

Nickel Kitchen & Bar will open on Friday, April 29 on the ground floor of 757 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more details.