Overview
If, like Twin Peaks' Agent Dale Cooper, you believe there's few things better than a great slice of pie, then you've probably already acquainted yourself with Brisbane's Pie Hole. Sweet, savoury — it does them all, including everything from sweet cherry, banoffee and matcha custard pies through to Guinness-braised lamb, kimchi-braised chicken and red wine-braised brisket varieties. And, it'll soon be serving them up at a brand new location.
Brisbanites who love cakes will be just as familiar with Lady Bouchon, and their baked goods will be on the menu as well. Head to Brass Tacks when it opens — sometime before 2021 is out — and you'll find Pie Hole's Isaac Hull and Lady Bouchon's Catherine Marot joining forces on their new culinary endeavour.
The two chefs are teaming up on a bakery and deli that'll sit within Albion's new Craft'd Grounds precinct. Due to launch this summer — before Christmas, for all your festive sweet treat needs — it joins a venue that'll also be home to coffee roastery Seven Miles, brewery Brewtide, street food, a craft bottle shop, a wine and cocktail bar, and more. And, it'll be combining everything that Pie Hole and Lady Bouchon do best with cheese and charcuterie, salads and sandwiches, and croissants and other provisions. Yes, Lady Bouchon's lemonade and elderflower cake will be on the menu.
"Our name 'Brass Tacks' was drawn from an American saying, meaning 'the essentials' — the very ethos of what we do," says
Marot. "Brass Tacks is everything you need for experiencing some of the best regional epicurean produce and treats — whether you're indulging at Craft'd Grounds, enjoying every day at home, or celebrating special occasions with loved ones."
The pair will be focusing on local goods, and making all of their own wares onsite. "We wanted to do things differently — curating a selection of local, regional and Australian-only products, alongside our in-house made baked goods," explains Hull.
As well as sharing a love of pastries and baked sweets, Marot and Hull share a history dating back 14 years. The friends travelled through France, then both came home to score jobs at Jocelyn's Provisions. From there, work overseas beckoned, before again returning to Brisbane to set up their own businesses.
Find Brass Tacks at Craft'd Grounds, Collingwood Street, Albion, at a yet-to-be-revealed date sometime late in 2021. We'll update you when exact opening details are announced.