Short Grain
Fortitude Valley
Short Grain is an exquisite Thai-flavoured diner by esteemed chef Martin Boetz (of Longrain fame), located in a heritage-listed former clothing factory and one-time Asian food store in Fortitude Valley.
In addition to the diner, Short Grain has its own in-house Asian Food store, located to the left of the entrance, where customers can pick up Boetz's own curry pastes, sauces and condiments as well as ready-made-meals to take and enjoy at home.
The stunning high-ceilinged dining room runs along one side, with a line-up of banquette seating under the historic brick window arches and featuring pale timber tables, an open kitchen and contemporary artworks by Vicki Lee.
The delectable Thai-inspired menu is a foodie's dream, starting with appetisers like turmeric wafer, caramelised coconut, prawns, peanuts and bean sprouts; salt & pepper cuttlefish, sweet soy & lemon; crab, sweet pork, green papaya and betel leaves: or spiced cauliflower & coriander fritters, sweet chilli and ginger sauce.
Mains include the likes of caramelised pork hock, chilli vinegar and coriander; soy braised quail, crisp garlic & peppercorns and black vinegar; or fried whole market fish, caramelised turmeric, pineapple and fried basil.
There's also a small selection of curries, including yellow curry Five Founders beef brisket, kipflers and cucumber relish; and green curry, mackerel, apple eggplant, snake beans and Thai Basil, while sides include green mango, tom sum; Thai fried rice & mushroom; warm roti or salt & pepper tofu.
It's worth saving room for dessert, with choices such as coconut tapioca, caramelised pineapple, orange & passionfruit sorbet; duck egg caramel custard tart and black sticky rice, mango & coconut cream.
Short Grain's wine list is a carefully curated offering of boutique wines from Australia, France and Germany, chosen to complement the seasonal food.
Need to know - There is a limited amount of metered onstreet parking in Marshall St otherwise park in one of the Valley's secure car parks (the nearest is Warner St).
