James St Journal April
Journal
April 9, 2025
We know recommendations come dime a dozen but if you’re looking for new ways to eat, drink, shop and get cultured this April then you’re in the right place. Keep reading this month’s James St Journal for fun fare, immersive retail and thought-provoking experiences that won’t leave your friends and family saying, “not again?”.
EAT + DRINK
Penelope:
There’s a new face on James St and it goes by the name of Penelope. Designed with versatility in mind, this European-inspired part restaurant, part lounge, part bar is ready to serve your every whim. Settle into the rich and moody, mid-century supper club-esque interiors for a leisurely lunch, make a celebratory splash with the Penelope’s Preferred banquet, or sip and snack well into the night. And when you’ve had your fill of oysters with champagne mignonette, steak frites au poivre, three-cheese jaffles and hot honey chicken tenders, partake in Penelope’s recommended digestif – dancing!
Gerries:
Also down for a good time, Little James St’s own Gerries is getting the party going with their Sunday Sundown Spesh. From 2PM every Sunday score tap beer or sparkling wine alongside two tacos for $18 or ball on a budget with a cheeky Aperol spritz plus two tacos for $23. Move over Sunday scaries, it’s time for Sunday Gerries!
ēmmē:
Indulging Italian style more your vibe? Head to ēmmē from 5PM on Thursday 10 April for their newest chef collaboration: Pizza Night with 3-time world pizza champion Chef Youssef Ben Touati. Not for the faint of carb, this doughy do is serving up focaccia, calzones, savoury maritozzi buns, three different types of pizza and a trio of sweet coccoli as the cherry on top. Book your pizza party here.
Mosconi:
You may be all too familar with the classic wine and dine but how about having both your food and wine paired and curated especially for the occassion? Well the dream team over at Mosconi are doing just that for a one off Mosconi x Lethbridge Wines collaborative dinner. Join owner and winemaker Ray Nadeaon as he walks you through the amazing selection of wines that have been loving paired with Chef Catherine Anders masterful Mosconi dishes. Think wagyu carpaccio with Chardonnay, champagne lobster raviolo with Pinot Gris or Reisling, wagyu cheek with Pinot Noir and an aged comte with figs, quince and a tipple of rich, earthy Nebbiolo red.
SHOP
Whilst Heidi Middleton is no stranger to James St, her recently launched ARTCLUB Atelier pop-up is bringing a fresh take on the retail experience to the street. Watch the label’s distinctly recognizable garments and artworks come to life as you shop with Heidi and her team transforming Shop 48 on the ground floor of The Calile Hotel into a working studio.
CULTURE
Calile Culture that is! Back for its second iteration of 2025, The Calile Hotel is welcoming Brisbane-born, London-based designer, couturier and artist, Michaela Stark for an evening of conversation on societal beauty standards, body liberation, and her radical practice of body morphing. Wrap yourself up in the finer details here.
