Evita

EVITA HAS BEEN REPLACED IN 2023 BY LIVELY CUBAN-INSPIRED RUMBA BAR & KITCHEN.

Brisbane's stunning Argentinian restaurant, Evita inhabits the heritage-listed century old McDonald's Bakery in Fortitude Valley.

Located around the corner from part-owner Stefano de Blasi's other venues La Costa, Cielo Rooftop, The Parlour and La Valle, leave the gritty Valley streets behind when you step inside Evita's whitewashed brick walls to another world.

Retaining many original features of the bakery, including industrial pillars, dark timber floors, high-raked corrugate iron roof, handmade brick walls, the centrepiece of Evita is the original 1910 wood-fired oven which takes pride of place in the dining room at the rear.

The massive oven has been transformed into a modern cooker, with some of the restaurant's dishes still wood-fired here and is part of the open kitchen, which is fronted by a stunning mosaic tiled counter.

Additional decorative touches include white archways, a mosaic tiled floor alongside the bar, banquettes and marble-topped tables. 

Entradas (entrees) include Empanadas La Patagonia (Argentian style empanadas with chimichurri saice); Pulp Asado (grilled octopus, roast potato & chimi churri, Pez Real Ceviche (king fish ceviche, leche de tigre lime & onions) or the classic Argentinian Provoleta (provolne cheese, pico de gallo & salsa verde).

Start with a Para Picar (small snack) such as Carpaccio de Carne (beef tenderloin and aji sauce) or the classic Aceitunas Rellenas (fried pitted olives stuffed with truffle & mixed meat, with salsa criolla & aioli). These go down a treat with a glass of Argentinian wine, house cocktail or Spanish beer.

Entradas (entrees) include Empanadas La Patagonia (Argentian style empanadas with chimichurri saice); Pulp Asado (grilled octopus, roast potato & chimi churri, Pez Real Ceviche (king fish ceviche, leche de tigre lime & onions) or the classic Argentinian Provoleta (provolne cheese, pico de gallo & salsa verde).

Fuertes (mains) include a selection of Argentinian style steaks (500g sliced T-Bone or 300g sliced 28 day Sirloin with chmichurri; 1.4kg Cape Grim Tomahawk; or 300g sump cap with farofa & pico de gallo) as well as Langosta a la Parrilla (grilled whole lobster with srirarcha butter & lemon) Pollo a La Mariposa (woodfired boneless spatchcock with lemon & herbs). 

And to accompany, choose from grilled Corn on the Cob (with chilli lime butter & parmesan); Patacones (plantain chips, salsa criolla & parmesan); Yuca Frita (cassava & aioli) and garden or pear and walnut salad.

Save room for dessert as these are an absolute stand-out - Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Creamy Caramel Flan (baked custard, caramel & coconut) and Alfajores (traditional Argentine pastry).  If you're dining in a group of 4 or more it's recommended that you order the Don't Cry For Me Argentine platter and sample them all.

Finish with an after dinner cocktail such as the Don Espresso martini or Pisco Sour ((Evita blended pisco, lime juice & aquafaba). Evita also has a fab list of signature cocktails perfect to start with, such as De Capo Passionfruit Martini, Tommy Margarita or Pampas Mojito.

And to accompany your meal the impressive and huge wine list features drops from around with world, with a focus on Argentinian and South American wines as well as European, American, New Zealand and Australian.

Need to know - Brunswick Street Railway Station is a short 200m walk away and there is a limited amount of after-hours, free street parking in nearby Amelia and Warry Streets. There is also secure Valley Metro parking in Alfred Street.

Image credit: Pics 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 supplied by Evita