Coming Soon: Longwang Is Edward Street's New Modern-Asian Restaurant with a Rooftop Bar and Cocktail Lounge

If you've ever walked down Edward Street from the Queen Street Mall to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, or vice versa, then you've walked past the site of the River City's next exciting opening. But, no matter how many times you've passed by, we're guessing that you wouldn't have ever picked that you'd be able to tuck into a modern-Asian meal where Longwang is setting up shop, let alone hit up a rooftop bar or cocktail lounge there.

No one tends to look at a void between two commercial towers and think "great place for an eatery", but Michael Tassis from hospitality company Tassis Group did. So, what was once a gap beside 144 Edward Street is about to become home to his Brisbane newcomer, effective Friday, April 26. While it only measures three metres wide, the two-and-a-half-storey spot stretches back 30 metres and can welcome in up to 175 guests for functions.

How does a restaurant, even one as slender as this, take over a former alleyway? Thanks to custom-built digs, with Clui Design helping out. While there's a formal dining room, as well as the sky-high bar and venue for cocktails, being flexible is key — including in its function spaces. The idea is that patrons will have a different experience onsite each time that they stop by.

One constant is the culinary guidance of Executive Chef and partner Jason Margaritis (ex- sAme sAme and Donna Chang in Brisbane, and Spice Temple Melbourne and Sydney). His contemporary take on Asian cuisine, inspired by more than 15 years working with the style, heroes seafood, plus a mix of traditional flavours with modern techniques. Think: a live seafood tank with local mud crabs and Tasmanian rock lobsters, whole fried baby barramundi paired with dry red curry snake beans and bug
tail kung pao.

Dishes that don't involve the ocean's finest will include braised lamb shoulder Massaman curry, as well as pork belly wok-tossed with sichuan pepper, black bean and chilli. Or, opt for a half chicken from the charcoal grill, as coated in tamarind-heavy satay sauce.

"The opportunity to develop a menu from the ground up was an exciting feat. I've drawn from my love of Chinese and east Asian cuisines to create a temple of tastiness that encapsulates the best elements of Asian-style banquet dining," said Margaritis.

Taking care of the wine list to match is Tassis Group Beverage Director and sommelier Ron Almera, who is curating a mix of old- and new-world wines — all specifically to go perfectly with Asian flavours. And as for the cocktails, you'll be able to ask for them to be mixed up to suit your tastebuds whether you're hitting the rooftop or the lounge.

While the "long" part of the restaurant's moniker might sound apt given the site's narrow dimensions, the name actually hails from Chinese mythology. Also known as the Dragon King or Dragon God, Longwang commands the seas, so the title reflects the menu's focus.

The venue joins the Tassis portfolio alongside Yamas Greek + Drink and Rich & Rare in West End, Opa Bar + Mezze and Massimo Restaurant on Eagle Street in the CBD, and Fosh Bar & Restaurant at Portside Wharf in Hamilton. Fatcow is on its way to James Street in Fortitude Valley this year, too, while Kangaroo Point's new green bridge will welcome Tassis' Stilts and Mulga Bill's.

Longwang opens at 144 Edward Street, Brisbane on Friday, April 26, operating from 11am–late daily. Head to the restaurant's website for further details.

Images: Markus Ravik.