It’s a big day of announcements for the Trader House team. The Melbourne-based group, spearheaded by Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, has announced that a second venue – Bar Miette – will be accompanying the soon-to-open Supernormal at 443 Queen Street in The City. In addition, Andrew and Jo have also secured their executive chef for both venues, former Paper Daisy head chef Jason Barratt.

Positioned on the street level above Supernormal, Bar Miette is being described as a European-inspired terrace bar, set to open seven days a week from early until late. The venue will feature an intimate curved bar (with only 12–15 interior seats) and a verdant outdoor terrace offering views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, making it an ideal spot for anything from sun-kissed morning coffee dates to late-night cocktails and snacks.

Opening from 7:00 am on weekdays and 8:00 am on weekends, Bar Miette will serve coffee and a European-style breakfast menu in the early hours, which will flow seamlessly into a lunchtime offering featuring the likes of perfectly composed salads, seafood on ice and charcuterie. As the sun dips below the horizon, expect to find share-style small bites, classic cocktails and an extensive wine list.

When asked what inspired the second Brisbane venue, Andrew attributes the space and location as the key drivers. “We wanted to create a simple all-day venue,” he says. “Because of the connectivity to Queen Street, its corporate activity and the residents, we felt it was perfect for the location.”

Set to open mid-year, the breezy space is taking shape and, according to Andrew, will be “classically European and a fitting juxtaposition to Supernormal”.

“It’s a really small space inside, with only a handful of seats, so it’s more about the outdoor presence at Bar Miette,” Andrew says. “We feel as though a smart European-style wine bar serving small snacks and shared food will really complement the building, and also complement what we’re planning at Supernormal.”

Andrew and Jo have worked closely with Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of Sydney’s ACME on the design concept for both forthcoming venues, which has been an exciting process for Andrew. “Vince and Caroline – who we worked with on the design for Gimlet and Apollo Inn – are really talented,” he says. “They have really nailed the brief and created something really special. I can’t wait to get the doors open.”

As the spaces come together, so do the kitchen and management teams for Supernormal and Bar Miette. Jason Barratt will be at the helm in both kitchens, while Alex Tuckett (former venue manager at Frida’s Field and previously general manager at Harvest Newrybar and Pilu at Freshwater) will oversee the front of house as venue manager.

Jason has spent the last five years running the kitchen at Halcyon House’s Paper Daisy, where he garnered a strong collection of accolades, including coveted chefs hats. Prior to that, he held roles at a number of award-winning restaurants, including Rae’s at Wategos, Attica and Stokehouse.

When he heard the news that Andrew was bringing Supernormal to Brisbane, it immediately piqued his interest. “I felt that my time at Halcyon was coming to an end after five years,” Jason reflects. “So I put my hand up [for this role] and started the interview process … now here we are.”

Originally hailing from Melbourne, Jason has long admired Andrew and the Trader House venues. “I have known Andrew and how he operates, and I’ve eaten at all of his restaurants throughout my whole career, but I’ve never actually worked with him,” Jason laughs. “It’s funny that – both being from Melbourne and cooking down there for 15 years – I ended up moving to Brisbane to work with him.”

“I’m really excited. I feel like I’m very lucky. He’s a great guy.”

The pair have been working closely together to craft the menus for both venues, which have been driven by the Queensland climate and access to fresh local produce. When asked what we can expect from Supernomal Brisbane, Andrew notes that while it will have a similar overall feel to its Melbourne counterpart, it will stand alone as its own restaurant.

“We didn’t want a cookie cut of what we do in Melbourne – copy the fit-out, copy the food identically – that’s not how we like to work,” remarks Andrew. “What we’re doing here is responding to the environment around us and also our customers. Firstly, the produce really informs what we do and it’s so different in Queensland and Northern New South Wales – there’s this incredible seafood, fruit, vegetables, meat. It’s really exciting for us to have a different palette to work with.”

“The climate also influences the menu and design process,” he continues, “so it’s a combination of many things that will make [the Brisbane venue] quite unique. It will still have the DNA of Supernormal, but I think it’s a good chance for us to evolve what we do”.

Jason adds, “Across both Supernormal and Bar Miette there will be similarities in the produce we use and the level of quality we want to achieve, but obviously the offering is very different. I’ve worked with a lot [of producers] before when I was working in the Northern Rivers – Falls Farm, Buck’s Farm, some beautiful oysters from Stradbroke Island. Weather dependent, we’ll also be buying seafood direct from local fisherman. Being in the Northern Rivers for so long, I’ve built strong connections with the farmers down there too, so I’ll definitely be utilising them where I can”.

When asked what we can expect from Bar Miette’s menu, Jason assures us it will hold its own as a go-to spot in Brisbane. “It’s definitely not an afterthought of a dining spot,” he says. “You could definitely go there for a pre- or post-Supernormal drink or snack, but you can also go there at any time of the day. We are really encouraging people to experience the all-day dining, the views. There is nothing quite like it in Brisbane.”

Supernormal and Bar Miette are due to open in late June/early July. Keep an eye on The Weekend Edition for updates.