Fox Hotel reopens

South Brisbane's The Fox Hotel reopens on Friday after five months of refurbishment – well, at least parts of it. The hotel is scheduled to open in stages, with the Long Bar opening on Friday, followed by its restaurant, The Meatball Company, on Tuesday.

The hotel has borrowed the services of Damon Amos, head chef at Public Restaurant and Bar in the CBD, to consult on The Meatball Company menu, along with head chef Daniel Jones, previously of The Farmers Arms in Daylesford, Victoria.

Described as "an artisan meatball venue" and taking its cue from the New York street food scene, the meaty menu includes duck meatballs with carrot, cardamom and orange sauce; pork and veal with water chestnuts, black bean sauce and pork crackle, and traditional pork and beef with tomato sauce. There's even a vego option with an eggplant, dahl and raita sauce "meatball". Add to that salads, sliders and sides including caramelised parsnip and parmesan puree, smoked sweet potato and gorgonzola polenta and ice-cream sandwiches for dessert. The famous $2 Fox Hotel steaks, however, are nowhere to be seen.

The hotel's rooftop garden, Dandy's, which will specialise in food from a char grill and rotisserie and boast a full cocktail list, is set to open at the end of the month.

The Fox Hotel, 71-73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, 07 3844 2883.