Chop Chop Chang's: kooky name, clever format

We're not sure about the name, Chop Chop Chang's (it's named after the first chimp in space), but with Paul Blain consulting on the menu you can be pretty confident the pan-Asian fare is going to be authentic.

Blain is the former owner of The Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking School in Maleny and says the menu is inspired by his many trips around Asia eating street and market foods. Blain says to expect "fresh, clean" flavours, authentic techniques and methods, and ingredients native to Asia but grown here in Australia.

"A lot of the dishes, people who have travelled will recognise [them] ... others will be introduced to the delights of Asian street foods," Blain says. Dishes will be offered "as small individual serves" designed to eat individually or with several other dishes, "keeping prices low and giving a selection of flavours to harmonise with".

Chop Chop Chang's has taken over the old Music Cafe site in Boundary Street and is owned by is Brett Nolan, formerly of Greystone Bar and Cellar. He says dining will be informal: there will be communal tables, private booths, bar dining and an outdoor courtyard. As yet, no head chef has been announced, but Chop Chop Chang's is expected to open for lunch and dinner daily from the first week of July.