Overview
When Three Blue Ducks announced that it was closing its first-ever River City outpost, which has sat inside the W Brisbane hotel since 2018, the inner-city space it has called home for five years was never going to be empty for long. The site's original tenant will shut up shop at the end of May, leaving room for The Lex to get cosy. And get cosy it will — and fast — with the new New York City-inspired restaurant set to open its doors on Thursday, June 15.
Pairing the space's spectacular water views with nods to both the Big Apple and Queensland — aka the chain's starting point and its Sunshine State berth — W Brisbane is keeping things in-house with The Lex, which boasts the venue's Chef de Cuisine Pawel Klodowski overseeing the menu.
"Having been lucky enough to be a part of The Lex since its very inception, this has felt like more than just a project for me," says Klodowski.
"I put all my heart into carefully crafting every step of the dining journey along with the team and it's been an incredible feeling to see this coming to life. I can't wait to reveal the experience to Brisbanites and guests to the city and showcase the unique culinary experience we've curated here."
The NYC vibes will flow through in a grill-heavy eatery, and in the style of dishes served; however, southeast Queensland produce will be the star of every plate. Think: oyster brine martinis, dry-aged beef using local cuts and tableside caesar salads. The full culinary lineup hasn't yet been unveiled, but hyper-locality will be a big feature.
So too will familiar comfort-food dishes given a playful twist, dashes of the old and the new, and natural cooking techniques. And while you're tucking in, you'll sit in an airy terrace-style setup that's designed to bring the outside in, complete with that vantage over the river.
"We are excited to be unveiling this new restaurant concept and adding to our diverse beverage and food programming at W Brisbane. We are continually innovating to enhance our guests' experiences, and The Lex will really elevate the hotel's culinary offering with a refined menu and sophisticated dining experience from start to finish," adds Haldon Philp, W Brisbane's General Manager.
"Inspired by the birthplace of W Hotels in New York City, The Lex builds strongly on the W origin story and not only brings a highly sought-after dining experience to Brisbane, but one that connects us with our brand globally."
Three Blue Ducks, W Brisbane, Marriott International Hotel
Find The Lex at W Brisbane, 81 North Quay, Brisbane, from Thursday, June 15. For more information about the hotel, visit the website.
The Lex images: Markus Ravik.