Foresters Is Fortitude Valley's Luxe New All-Day Eatery and Bar Behind a 130-Year-Old Facade
It's now serving up smashed avocado on quinoa loaf, chicken parmigiana with prosciutto and smoky negronis.
If you've been to Fortitude Valley in the past few years, you've probably noticed a couple of particularly tall buildings shooting up on Alfred Street, around the northern end of Brunswick Street. You can't really miss them — they're part of the $600 million FV precinct. The Valley House and Flatiron, which houses the FV by Peppers hotel, are already operating; however now they have company. Not only has the new FV No. 1 joined the fold, but it has also thrown open the doors on an all-day eatery dubbed Foresters Restaurant and Bar.
First announced in May, Foresters is overseen by Peter Popow, with the chef whipping up breakfast, lunch and dinner options that showcase pub staples such as parmigiana, pizzas, burgers and steaks. From a menu with a strong local focus — sourcing its ingredients from local farmers and producers — highlights include smashed avocado on a quinoa loaf, topped with beetroot hummus, dukkha and cashew cream; chicken parmigiana with prosciutto and fior di latte; and house-made damper, which uses milk stout from Sea Legs Brewing Co. in Kangaroo Point. For dessert, you can't go past a classic: pavlova.
Drinks are a feature, obviously, complete with a separate cocktail lounge nestled around the corner from the main restaurant. There's a separate bar menu, too — but tipples such as the 'Bush Fire Negroni' (made with Mt Uncle 'Bushfire' smoked gin) are the main attraction.
Decor-wise, the 150-seater heroes neutral tones and a laidback feel, with tables for two and leather banquettes that can fit in six all scattered beneath exposed brick walls. The latter makes the most of the building's existing façade, because this is a site with a hefty history. Built in 1889, it was originally known as Foresters' Hall, as referenced in the restaurant's name. Back then, the structure housed a community meeting place, until it became Fortitude Valley's first cinema in 1910.
Signature Hospitality Group and developers of the FV precinct, Gurner, are taking charge at Foresters Restaurant and Bar, while Signature will go it alone on the site's other new spot — a rooftop bar called Altitude. Set to open at the end of July, it'll sit on the sixth floor of the building, welcoming patrons into its 250-square-metre space from midday daily. As well as views, it'll sling cocktails, a hefty beverage list and a small range of bar snacks, and host DJs on the dance floor underneath its retractable roof.
In total, once it's all open, the FV's dining options will sprawl over 1000 square-metres.
Find Foresters Restaurant and Bar at FV No. 1, 209 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — open Sunday–Thursday from 6.30am–10pm, and Friday–Saturday from 6.30am–midnight.
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