More dumplings for Paddington

The speculation about the empty space left by the closure of Coaldrake's bookshop and espresso bar at the Petrie Barracks is over. Half of it will open as a Flight Centre, the other half another eatery. Happy Little Dumplings is joining the recently opened Steamed on Latrobe Terrace with the opening of a Paddington branch. It's the fourth for owners Mellita Rayner and Candice Collier, with other shops at Bulimba, Fortitude Valley and Corinda.

Neither Rayner nor Collier have hospitality or food experience and, like the owners of Steamed, started out with a market stall. Then they opened a pop-up window at Bijou restaurant in Bulimba and when that proved highly successful, set about expanding the brand. They say the short, sweet dumpling menu will be the same as in the other branches, including customer favourite's Chinese chilli duck dumpling and pork belly and bok choi. Happy Little Dumpling is expected to open mid-June.