Little Big House Launches in Brisbane

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of a Matt Moran restaurant or venue- ARIA in Sydney and Brisbane are two of my  favourite restaurants. I have also whiled away many happy hours with family, friends and overseas visitors at the cool Riverbar and Kitchen. Now, I have a new favourite with the opening of Little Big House at Southbank. This is the third venture into Brisbane for Matt and his partners- the Solotel Group, who are onto a winner with this quirky heritage listed venue.

Brisbane’s newest house party destination – Little Big House can be found in an iconic Queenslander right near South Bank station at the new  Southpoint development in Grey Street. The heritage home built in 1889 was originally called ‘Collins Place’. It has now been lifted so there can be a party vibe happening downstairs whilst upstairs still retains its character verandahs. Little Big House has a vibe that is a little bit cheeky and a whole lot of fun catering to the young and the young at heart. Nanny Babe and I were excited to be invited to the highly anticipated launch of this exciting new development which blends the old and the new in a gloriously Queensland way.

The Venue

Little Big House has been a private home, a police station, a ship inn and a spaghetti house during  Expo ’88  before its most recent beautiful makeover. Designers from Emma Ross Designs along with H&E Architects have styled the building using a cool blue and white base and adding quintessential Queensland touches: think palm trees, parrots, possums and pineapples. They have kept original features like the tin roof, wrought iron balustrades and original fireplaces intact giving the venue a homely , comforting and uniquely Queensland feel.

Downstairs there is a mood- filled karaoke room with plenty of hats and beads so you can dress up and  channel your own inner diva. A  hot pink pool table plus plenty of quirky artwork and murals add to the relaxed party vibe. You can spend a few hours in the inviting beer gardens under the jaunty blue umbrellas or head upstairs for a meal in one of the many unique spaces. A lot of people were just enjoying sitting outside and people watching from the wrap -around verandahs.

Dan Lacaze – marketing director for the Solotel group said, “ We want this to feel like a place where you are having a house party with people spilling into different areas and out into the hallways.There are DJ’s on both levels and plenty of private nooks and spaces as well.” Little Big House has certainly created a place with a relaxed and very Queensland vibe.

For those on the go there is even a downstairs kiosk for your takeaway coffees and breakfast.

The Food

Little Big House is keen to bring great home style food to patrons and to this end they have brought two rotisseries from France to roast chicken, porchetta and eventually other favourite meats like lamb.They use the freshest local and seasonal produce to showcase our unique Queensland flavours.

Guests at the launch were treated to a sample of the menu. Starters were tasty and packed with flavour. We tried the kingfish and avocado tostadas , broad bean falafels with a tahini yoghurt dipping sauce and yummy chicken parmi spring rolls which are sure to become a menu favourite.

We enjoyed some chicken and pork rolls fresh from the rotisserie. The succulent chook was complimented by crisp lettuce and gravy and the flavoursome porchetta rolls were filled with cabbage, apple slaw and dill pickles.

Desserts are some old favourites with a twist- think an Icecream Sanga and lamingtons with peanut butter instead of jam.

Drinks

Little Big House offers a range of cocktails and some very cute cocktails in a can with names like- Feels like Apple Pie- a blend of Fireball, lime and Apple Sidra. We tried some of the refreshing shared punches – Rose Sangrias and one aptly named for our She Brisbane readers- Ladies Who Lunch.

There are plenty of your favourite beers on tap plus a limited edition beer called ‘The Queenslander’ which was brewed by Young Henrys especially for Little Big House.This limited edition easy drinking 4.2 percent kolsch is available on tap for a limited time.

The funky Little Big House is a great addition to Brisbane’s pub and bistro scene in Southbank. It offers something out of the ordinary, with a range of options to suit everyone, all in one typically  quirky Queensland setting. Breakfasts are available from 7 am at the kiosk and Little Big House is open Sunday to Thursday 11am to midnight and on the weekends 11am until 2am. It will be one of Summer’s new favourite hangouts for lucky Queenslanders.