December 2018 doesn’t just herald the return of Santa Claus and his sleigh, but for Brisbane residents the month will see the introduction of yet another eatery to the Howard Smith Wharves development. Stanley, which is currently under construction within the riverside precinct, is the latest restaurant from husband and wife hospitality duo Andrew and Jaimee Baturo. Both are no strangers to the food world, thanks to co-owning Petrie Terrace favourite Libertine, and Andrew’s involvement of DAP & Co, who operate The Gresham, Walter’s Steak House, Popolo and Heya Bar.

Stanley will be Hong Kong-inspired in both fare and appearance, with the latter coming courtesy of Brisbane style star Anna Spiro. The designer, renowned for her work with Halcyon House among others, has promised to reflect the multiculturalism of the city throughout the restaurant’s interiors, hand-painted screens and porcelain included. Of course it helps that Stanley will sit in a building overflowing with character; the wharves were first built in the 1930s and remain heritage-listed.

“The inspiration comes from the actual building and its location,” agrees Andrew Baturo. “It’s one of the premier dining spaces in Brisbane, in what we think will be a world class precinct. The actual inspiration for the Chinese concept comes from trips to Hong Kong that I’ve taken with my wife, Jaimee, and our love for the city and its cuisine. The venue really spoke to me and it really felt like a Chinese restaurant was a perfect fit,” he continues.

Joining the Baturos on team Stanley will be close friend and local chef Kym Machin. His menu will focus largely on seafood and roasted meats, explains Baturo.  “We’re serving roast meat dishes including duck, goose, chicken and pork belly,” he says. “These dishes make up the core of every great dining experience I’ve ever had in Hong Kong. We feel like these will be the centrepiece for the dining experience for our guests and we’ll provide the best possible ingredients to make them some of the best roast meat dishes in Australia.”

Stanley
Howard Smith Wharves Precinct, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
howardsmithwharves.com