Fish Lane continues to cement its reputation as Brisbane's most exciting dining precinct with the opening of Marlowe Restaurant, an elegant Modern Australian bistro that may be Fanda Group's most ambitious project to date. Spread across two floors and nine distinct rooms of a heritage-listed 1938 apartment building once known as Merivale Flats, Marlowe offers a dining experience unlike any other in the city.
Fanda Group, already acclaimed for venues like the award-winning subterranean dumpling den Central and Gold Coast's Sueño rooftop bar, has partnered once again with J.AR OFFICE for a showstopper of a design. The deliberately pared-back space retains much of the building's art deco character, setting rich walnut timber and polished chrome accents against a palette of sky blue, buttercream, and deep crimson.
Head Chef and Co-Owner Ollie Hansford draws inspiration from vintage Australian cookbooks while maintaining a thoroughly modern edge. The ever-evolving menu might include prawn cocktail tartlet with marie rose sauce, braised duck pie with radicchio jam, yabby-topped surf and turf, and a standout coral trout wellington with caviar butter sauce. A custom-built woodfire hearth by The Brick Chef's Sam Fraraccio anchors the grill offerings, while a raw bar serves oysters and seafood sliced to order.
Group Beverage Director Peter Marchant has assembled a 200-strong Australian wine list, with 35 wines available by the glass through a Coravin program. The cocktail list celebrates native ingredients, including a lemon myrtle and eucalyptus highball topped with house-made mandarin creaming soda.
With its nooks, crannies, verdant terrace, and four enclosed sunrooms, Marlowe transforms dining into an experience of discovery. It's a fitting addition to Fish Lane's ever-growing collection of exceptional venues.