5 Boroughs

5 Boroughs eatery and garden bar brings a taste of New York and seriously good all day casual dining to an historic landmark building in Ascot’s Racecourse Rd.

The 92 year old colonial corner shop (that for 20 years housed Lido café) is now a bustling source of American and Oz craft beers, delicious New York style street bites and fast food, wine, cocktails and good times in a traditional Queensland setting.

A side carriageway has been converted into a tropical garden bar with hanging ferns, inside black and white murals of the boroughs of New York adorn the walls while out front is a wraparound covered terrace that makes a great spot to catch the breeze and watch Racecourse Rd pass by.

5 Boroughs is the kind of neighbourhood joint you can pop in any time of day for a fix of Deep Fried McClure Pickles, Chicken Wings, Fish Taco or Criss-Cross Waffle Cut Chips with chipotle mayo and a glass of Samuel Adams or Brooklyn Lager (2 of the 6 beers on tap).

While the food may be ‘fast’, it’s largely prepared from scratch, with delectable dumplings and must try Old Bay Crab Cakes with tartare made in-house, Duck Pancakes and finely minced burger patties hand-rolled, nuts baked and Beef Brisket and ribs smoked onsite in the wood-fired brick oven.

Burgers are a key menu item at 5 Boroughs, with the options including Classic, Bacon and Cheese, Vegan, Fish, Chicken and Classic With Cheese, while on the side there’s the option of Avocado Salsa, Bourbon Battered corn and fresh Minted House Slaw. Alternatively there’s a range of Sliders – Classic, Vege, Chicken, Beef or Pork – in various combos.

Traditional American BBQ dishes, smoked and slow-cooked in the brick oven include Baby Pork Back Ribs, Beef Brisket and Beef Short Ribs while soon to be available are dishes from the Pan – Steak Frites, market Fish and Flat pressed Crusted Spatchcock.

For something else, there’s classic Pressed sandwiches including The Cuban, Reuben on Rye and Pulled Pork and Slaw and a healthy salad alternative includes Organic Quinoa and Raw Zucchini or Grilled Chicken Salad.

As well as the 6 beers on tap you’ll find Wheat, Pale Ale, Amber and IPA in the Bottled variety with a mix of local craft such as Feral Hop Hog and 4 Pines Kolsch and US including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

There’s a compact but quality Oz wine list with the addition of Bollinger champagne and a cracking list of spirits including the House Pour (think Bounty White Rum, Famous Grouse Whisky and Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon), along with Scotch, Irish and Tennesee Whisky, Tequila, Gin, Vodka and Rum.

Cocktails are another drawcard here, with about half – Aperol Spritz, Mai Tai, Cosmo, Iced Tea and Pimms Cup available solo or in jugs to share. For a real taste of the US, must try is the Bloody Caesar – Russian Standard vodka with Clamato juice (clam & tomato combo in a can), lime and celery salt.

For those after something non-alcoholic, it’s hard to go past the refreshing daily-made house Iced tea with fresh citrus fruit.

Need to know – For younger children (under 8yrs) there’s a couple of Kids dishes available – Beef and Cheese Slider or Crumbed Fish, with Chips or Salad and Juice.

Nice to know- 5 Boroughs can also be found on the south side Brisbane borough of Stones Corner.