Agnes

Agnes occupies a heritage-listed old brick warehouse in a quiet corner of Fortitude Valley. It is run by the hospitality group behind Same Same, Bianca and Honto, and the kitchen is led by executive chef and co-owner Ben Williamson, who previously cooked at Gerard's Bistro. The whole menu is built around fire: there is no gas or electricity in the cooking, only two charcoal pits, one for seafood and starters and one for meat, plus a wood-fired oven. Ironbark, apple, cherry and olive wood are all used.

The menu changes with the seasons and leans on produce from regional suppliers and farmers, so the dishes you see will vary. Past menus have featured snacks such as scallop doughnuts with green onion cream and lamb ribs with a sesame whey caramel, starters including beef tartare and clams with pork and fennel, and mains such as smoked lamb neck, wood-roasted duck and dry-aged sirloin, with charred mango for dessert. A set menu is offered alongside the a la carte list, and the restaurant is open for dinner every night, with lunch on Fridays and Saturdays.

The building is split into three areas. The main dining room is minimal and warm, centred on the open kitchen. Downstairs, the wine bar serves the full drinks list and takes walk-ins, so it works both as a place to wait for a table and as a more casual option for a few plates and a glass of wine. Upstairs, the terrace has its own bar with city views and a shorter menu of snacks and desserts; it does not take bookings.

Agnes suits couples marking an occasion, food-focused travellers and small groups. Tables in the main dining room are booked online and are worth reserving well ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday nights. For larger parties there is a private dining room for up to 24 guests, and the whole venue can be hired for events.

Combining an early drink on the terrace with dinner in the main room is an easy way to see more than one of the spaces in an evening. Groups of seven or more have been asked to choose a set menu in the past, so check the current policy when you book a larger table. The team also handles event enquiries through a form on the website, and the wine bar can hold up to 45 standing guests for a function.