Rooftop bars are all the rage in Brisbane town at the moment and who can blame us ground-dwellers for getting so excited about taking in some views while sipping away on our alcoholic beverage of choice?
The main selling point of such rooftop bars is, unsurprisingly, sky-top views. As such, some of these bars can get away with pretty average food and drink offerings.
The latest bar with a view in Fortitude Valley however has really upped the ante in the kitchen, while still offering city vista scenes.
Up on Constance has recently opened to the public with some absolutely cracking dishes and cocktails to ensure that going straight home from work becomes the last thing on your mind.
The main selling point of such rooftop bars is, unsurprisingly, sky-top views. As such, some of these bars can get away with pretty average food and drink offerings.
The latest bar with a view in Fortitude Valley however has really upped the ante in the kitchen, while still offering city vista scenes.
Up on Constance has recently opened to the public with some absolutely cracking dishes and cocktails to ensure that going straight home from work becomes the last thing on your mind.
The first thing you want to know about a rooftop bar is whether you actually want to hang out here or not. Luckily, Up on Constance is a nice place to be.
The funky furnishings mixed with neutral tones create a chilled-out vibe in with a bustling city backdrop. It's fancy enough for parties but also relaxed enough for a few Sunday arvo drinks.
I came here to sample the whole menu as part of another brilliant Eat Brisbane event. I did not walk away hungry.
The funky furnishings mixed with neutral tones create a chilled-out vibe in with a bustling city backdrop. It's fancy enough for parties but also relaxed enough for a few Sunday arvo drinks.
I came here to sample the whole menu as part of another brilliant Eat Brisbane event. I did not walk away hungry.
Each of the plates at Up on Constance is designed for sharing. That is, if you can bear to part with a portion of the deliciousness that awaits you here.
We kicked off our night here with some cocktails and starters:
These two cocktails were unique and just so pretty to look at as well. I loved the buttery, popcorn taste in the Popcorn Thief, though a whole glass of it did become a bit too sweet for me eventually. The salted caramel popcorn garnish was genius.
They oysters were fresh, fresh, fresh and had a nice subtle spice kick to them.
The vegetarian san choi bao were like none other that I'd tasted and very moreish. The crispy wasabi nuts were a fabulous addition to the mix.
We kicked off our night here with some cocktails and starters:
- The Popcorn Thief Cocktail: Hot Buttered Popcorn infused with Stolen Spiced Rum, Disaronno Amaretto and Vanilla Sugar Syrup
- Mojito: Made on Coconut Water
- Oysters with a Vietnamese Dressing, Crispy Shallot
- San Choi Bao of Avocado, Salted Peanuts, Wasabi Nuts, Fried Mung Beans and Crisp Shallots
These two cocktails were unique and just so pretty to look at as well. I loved the buttery, popcorn taste in the Popcorn Thief, though a whole glass of it did become a bit too sweet for me eventually. The salted caramel popcorn garnish was genius.
They oysters were fresh, fresh, fresh and had a nice subtle spice kick to them.
The vegetarian san choi bao were like none other that I'd tasted and very moreish. The crispy wasabi nuts were a fabulous addition to the mix.
We then moved on to the second course:
The kingfish carpaccio worked really well with the mild mexican flavourings, and while I don't have a picture of the house made tacos, what you do see on this plate made for a pretty good chip topping.
The chickpea fritters were another great vegetarian option. The honey labne they were served with was decadent and delicious.
- Grilled Sourdough, White Bean and Lemon Puree
- Cured Kingfish Carpaccio, Avocado, Chilli, Lime, Crispy Corn Tacos
- Spiced Chockpea Fritters, Pickled Vegetables, Honey Labne
The kingfish carpaccio worked really well with the mild mexican flavourings, and while I don't have a picture of the house made tacos, what you do see on this plate made for a pretty good chip topping.
The chickpea fritters were another great vegetarian option. The honey labne they were served with was decadent and delicious.
For the third share course we had:
The pork croquette was filled with slow-cooked pulled pork which just fell apart in your mouth. Rolling pulled pork into little deep-fried balls is my new favourite way to eat it.
So how do you share a plate of Ocean Trout I hear you ask? Serve it up in big satisfying chunks. This fish was again fresh and tasty and I loved the tomato jelly it was served with, which did indeed taste like a block of wobbly tomato.
Zucchini flowers are always going to be a winner and these were no exception. The goats cheese oozed out of each one and the olive dust was a lovely salty addition.
- Pork Croquette, Prosciutto, Apple Caramel Puree, Gribiche
- Ocean Trout, Tomato Jelly, Lemon Chive Labne, Watercress Puree, Sea Salt, Sesame Wafers
- Zucchini Flowers with Goats Cheese, Roasted Capsicum Coulis, Pickled Carrot, Olive Dust
The pork croquette was filled with slow-cooked pulled pork which just fell apart in your mouth. Rolling pulled pork into little deep-fried balls is my new favourite way to eat it.
So how do you share a plate of Ocean Trout I hear you ask? Serve it up in big satisfying chunks. This fish was again fresh and tasty and I loved the tomato jelly it was served with, which did indeed taste like a block of wobbly tomato.
Zucchini flowers are always going to be a winner and these were no exception. The goats cheese oozed out of each one and the olive dust was a lovely salty addition.
We then moved onto course number four (yes, four...):
Each of these dishes were outstanding. The lamb was cooked perfectly as was the spiced baby chicken, which was much tastier than your usual chicken options at restaurants.
The pork belly dish was absolutely stellar. I really loved the squid and tart kimchi it was served with and could have happily eaten five of these plates.
- Grilled Lamb Cutlets, Quinoa and Asparagus Salad, Mint Chimichurri
- Spiced Baby Chicken, Charred Fennel and Shimeji Mushroom, Burnt Orange Sauce
- Pork Belly, Black Vinegar Caramel, Kimchi, Squid, Salty Peanuts
Each of these dishes were outstanding. The lamb was cooked perfectly as was the spiced baby chicken, which was much tastier than your usual chicken options at restaurants.
The pork belly dish was absolutely stellar. I really loved the squid and tart kimchi it was served with and could have happily eaten five of these plates.
And if all of that wasn't enough, there was dessert as well:
The chocolate brownies were decadent, topped with the very moreish raspberry creme, while the pannacottas were set beautifully and were nicely lifted by the summery fruit.
- Chocolate Brownie with Raspberry Creme
- Vanilla Pannacotta with Fruit Salad
- Cinnamon Donut with Apple Puree
The chocolate brownies were decadent, topped with the very moreish raspberry creme, while the pannacottas were set beautifully and were nicely lifted by the summery fruit.
If I had been served all of these food at ground level, I would have been a very happy camper. Eating so well while enjoying sweeping city views really took the whole dining experience up a notch.
Up on Constance has shown that the sky's the limit for rooftop experiences.
Up on Constance has shown that the sky's the limit for rooftop experiences.
Tanya dined as a guest of Up on Constance and Eat Brisbane.