Taste of eastern Europe comes to South Bank

Cabbage rolls and borscht, as well as the quaintly named "herring under a fur coat" will be some of the dishes on the menu at an eastern European restaurant opening at South Bank next month.

Torba (it means "bag" or "pocket" in a variety of eastern European languages, according to owner Anastasiya Sukhinina) is moving into the spot vacated by Sadar Rasoi in Little Stanley Street. A professional pop/jazz singer, Sukhinina came to Brisbane from the Ukraine two years ago and completed her MBA in tourism and hospitality management with an eye to go into the business.

“I always wanted to open an eastern European restaurant here, because it's something different and new for this city. I used to work in many five-star hotels and restaurants as a singer which helps me to understand the hospitality industry very well,” she says.

Two female chefs have been employed – one from Ukraine, the other from Latvia – and Sukhinina says there will be many typical dishes from eastern Europe including Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Georgia and more as well as spirits, wine, beer and cocktails from those regions.

The restaurant and lounge will be decorated in eastern European royal style, Sukhinina says, with copper wallpaper, crystal chandeliers and ornate gold mirrors. Opening date is slated for September 1.