TASTY TRIO AT QPAC - aappac

Media Release
1 September 2009
TASTY TRIO AT QPAC
Proving it’s not just about great offerings on stage, Queensland Performing Arts Centre
(QPAC) now boasts a trio of great dining outlets and a new bar following its recent
major refurbishment.
The Queensland Government funded $34.7 million refurbishment, the first since the
Centre opened almost 25 years ago, not only involved theatre and foyer improvements,
but also included the addition of a brand new café, bistro, and ground floor bar,
renovations to the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall foyer bars, and a new kitchen for
QPAC’s existing fine dining Lyrebird Restaurant.
QPAC Director, John Kotzas says the Centre now has literally something for everyone
when it comes to dining and refreshment options.
“Whether your motivation to dine at QPAC coincides with a performance, or you are just
looking for a delicious place to eat within our dynamic cultural precinct, QPAC has a
range of dining options to suit every taste and budget.
“Why not make your next outing at QPAC even more enjoyable by parking and eating at
the one venue, partaking in a meal created by one of our experienced and talented
chefs, in the ambience of our relaxed and vibrant riverside setting.

“We welcome everyone to come and enjoy the delicious meals at our new café and
bistro and at our popular Lyrebird Restaurant; finalist in two categories of the 2009
Queensland Restaurant and Catering Awards,” said Mr Kotzas.
The “tasty trio” dining options at QPAC are: the Lyrebird Restaurant offering fine à la
carte dining before or after shows, the Grey St Café, open daily for al fresco breakfast,
lunch, dinner or post-show supper in an urban oasis and the Courtyard Bistro, ideal for
fast, economical dining in a casual outdoor setting. The stylish new Ground Floor Bar
also offers delicious Pintxos bar snacks to savour with a drink.
Media enquiries: Cindy Ullrich Publicity Manager, QPAC ph: 3840 7589 or 0434-366-
038 cindy.ullrich@qpac.com.au or Inga Tracey Publicity Coordinator, QPAC ph: 3840
7984 inga.tracey@qpac.com.au
Information on QPAC’s dining options follows:
Lyrebird Restaurant
The perfect place to start or finish your visit to QPAC, the Lyrebird Restaurant offers fine
à la carte dining, with delicious menu choices from Head Chef, Linda Franz.
Bookings essential
Please call (07) 3840 7598 to make your reservation. To ensure a relaxed meal, we
recommend you select a reservation time as early as possible prior to the start of your
performance.
Trading Hours
Lunch, pre-show dinner and post-show supper, dependent on performance dates
Check www.qpac.com.au for opening hours
Grey St Cafe
Perfectly situated under the glass shade roof opposite the main entrance into QPAC,
this new café offers fresh, al fresco dining every day. Come in from 7am for breakfast or
organic coffee and muffins, enjoy a café lunch or relaxed yet stylish dinner from
renowned Chef, Lynette Knowles.
Grey St Café features innovative and healthy, modern Australian (fusion) food
showcasing local ingredients.
The café is fully licensed and serves Fix Coffee; proudly sourced from Rainforest
Alliance certified farms. The Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that goods and

services were produced in compliance with strict guidelines protecting the environment,
wildlife, workers and local communities.
Trading Hours
Breakfast 7am-10.30am Mon-Fri; 8am-11am Sat & Sun
Lunch 11.30am-2.30pm daily
Dinner from 5.30pm Tue-Sat
Supper is also available following shows in Concert Hall and Lyric Theatre
Courtyard Bistro
For fast, economical dining in a casual outdoor setting that is just moments away from
your theatre seats. Chef Alby Hancock serves quick and generous hot and cold meals
including pasta, Asian noodle dishes, chicken and seafood.
Open two hours prior to all performances in the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall and after
the show for drinks, snacks, dessert and coffee.
QPAC Courtyard, Melbourne Street
Trading Hours
Lunch and pre-show dinner.
Check www.qpac.com.au for opening hours
Ground Floor Bar
This new bar provides a perfect meeting place whether or not you are going to a show,
offering a relaxed setting, state-of the-art design, and great location on the Ground Floor
close to the new QPAC main entrance at Grey Street.
The Ground Floor bar offers a select variety of Champagne, sparkling and still wines,
boutique beers from around the world and speciality cocktails and Grinders Giancarlo
Coffee.
The Ground Floor Bar also has on offer a delicious selection of Pintxos at $5 per plate
such as natural Coffin Bay oysters with lime, tortilla wedge, mini crab cakes, salted
fetta/gorgonzola, chorizo sausage, mushroom cups, dips and grissini and
Bunneyconellan olives.
Hours: Vary according to shows, normally from 5.00pm to 11.30pm
Dinner and Show Packages
QPAC offers unique corporate hospitality opportunities including a range of show, food
and wine packages and private function spaces.

Executive Chef – Lyrebird Restaurant - Linda Franz
Born in Brisbane, Linda worked and lived on a farm, from a young age, picking paw
paws. She began her official restaurant career at Pepperinas in Toowong as an
Apprentice Chef. Linda progressed several years later to Le Bronx with Phillip Johnson
before travelling extensively throughout Europe.
On her return to Australia, she worked at Pamela’s Pantry in Paddington as a Pastry
Chef. She worked at several other restaurants before being appointed Head Chef at
E’cco Bistro in Brisbane City and Simpatico in Paddington.
Linda’s influence is Italian style food using local seasonal produce that is of the highest
quality and designed to be simple and flavoursome. She has the unusual hobby of
collecting antique tea and coffee sets.
Head Chef - Grey St Café - Lynette Knowles
Lynette Knowles started at QPAC when the new café opened after previously working
alongside PJ McMillian at the trendy Harvey’s in James St, The Valley.
Lynette did her apprenticeship at the iconic Brisbane Club and spent her early 20’s
working in London. On return to Brisbane, she worked at Phillip Johnson’s first
restaurant, Le Bronx. Her vision for the new café is to serve fresh, tasty meals in a
relaxed, friendly, al fresco environment and incorporating regional produce. She has an
enviable library of several hundred cookbooks from around the world and is currently
planning her third culinary tour of Italy
Head Chef – Bistro - Alby Hancock
Following formal training mostly in Sydney, and working in renowned restaurants such
as the 3 Hat Catalina Restaurant, and alongside chef Stefano Manfredi at Le Mensa,
Alby travelled throughout Australia to gain further knowledge and experience. In
Brisbane, Alby worked his way up in restaurants such as Bistro One, Cafe Aix and
Gerties before opening the Jam Jar Cafe with friends in Bowen Hills.
Alby broadened his experience when he joined Caxton St Catering and oversaw
the operation of the Cafes and Bistro at Brisbane's new GOMA and Art Gallery before
joining to oversee the opening of the new Bistro at QPAC.