Best known as the grounds from which every local raconteur has built their repertoire of shenanigans, the Valley is Brisbane’s heritaged hub of thumping nightlife. It’s grungy, it’s paved with character, and people who haven’t even heard of Brisbane know where it is.
With that kind of illustrious rep, the Valley is naturally home to some of Brisbane’s most iconic haunts and since their opening of Woolly Mammoth Alehouse, has rapidly become another linchpin of the Valley partyscape. The live music, slinging cocktails and eponymously mammoth servings exalt this venue to semi-legendary status amongst the initiated, providing everything you need from pregame to dinner to last call.
Here are eight of our favourite menu items at the multi-talented, all-inclusive Woolly Mammoth:
Braised Octopus Salad
An ideal banquet begins with something zesty-fresh to kick off the repast, and Woolly Mammoth’s oceanic share plate is just the ticket. The braised octopus comes with white bean puree, fennel and lime and goes down pretty well with the 4pm keg tap on Friday afternoons.
Torched Marrowbone
We’re going on record with the claim that marrowbone is the most underrated part of the beast. Take all the prime cuts you want but nothing compares to a charred, buttery schmear of Woolly’s marrowbone on sourdough with a tang of lemon onion marmalade. Just note, this is designed for sharing so don’t go hogging it all, ya bloody Neanderthal.
Grilled Pork Hoagie
Before you jump to American diner conclusions because of the word ‘hoagie’, let me warn you this is no ordinary sub. Kimchi, green tomatoes and mayo give this super sanga an extra zesty kick which boosts it into a class all of its own. Hefty? Yes, but you’ll find a way to finish it even if it means utilising your dessert stomach.
12hr Skirt Steak
Every second of the 12 hours is worth the wait when this smoky slab hits the table. With the sweetness of charred corn and shallots, plus some steamy heat from chipotle hot sauce, Woolly Mammoth’s skirt steak is pure mastery of the low and slow method of cultivating succulence to once again leave us weak and breathless.
Blackened Lamb Ribs
Take heed with these, they say blackened and they bloody well mean it. The pitch dark, cumin-salted Maillard is where all the flavour lives and is as crisp as a winter's morning. It’s worth ordering double on 2-4-1 Wednesdays just for more of the tantalising salsa verde.
Twice Cooked Pork Jowl
Anyone digging on swine can’t possibly go past Woolly’s pork jowl. The citric tang of pineapple and kimchi cuts through blissful shreds of melt-in-your-mouth pork jowl, cooked twice for maximum tenderness more delicate than the soft caress of a blushing maiden.
Espresso Martini
When opting for a liquid lunch or dinner, few can resist the thrifty allure of Woolly Mammoth’s Sunday crafternoons (where craft beer taps go for the ludicrous price of $5 a pop), and as much as bulk savings and craft brews rev our engines, we’d be in breach of our civic duty if we didn’t alert you to the magnificence of Woolly’s espresso martini, a hot contender for one of Brisbane’s best.
Peach & Mango Punch
Come on, this is Queensland, how could you possible resist? This new cocktail is a refreshing mix featuring all our favourite flavours of summer: white rum, peach liqueur, mango syrup, orange juice and lemonade. It’s a bit like a cross between a rum punch and a Bellini, so it’s as close to perfect as an afternoon tipple can be, and has arrived just in time for the impending swelter.
Keen to get your feed on at Woolly? We bet you are! Click through their directory listing, for their opening hours.
Image credit: Yaseera Moosa
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