Proof cooking up feast in city centre
A NEW Toowoomba CBD venue with a focus on slowcooked brisket and boutique spirits opened at the weekend, in the latest boost to the city centre’s revitalisation.
Proof BBQ and Booze, which is based on Duggan Street, held a soft launch on Friday night ahead of its first weekend taking bookings.
The American-style restaurant and bar is the brainchild of Ryan Lane, who already has a similar venue in Brisbane.
Its centrepiece is a massive smoker called Dolly, which has seven square metres of cooking space.
Manager Stephanie Edmondson said she wanted Proof to be a venue for all occasions.
“We’ve got our original store in Brisbane, which was originally going to be a bar but it become a locals restaurant,” she said.
“So we wanted to bring that to Toowoomba, where it’s about good food, good booze and a lot of fun.
“You can bring your family or all your mates, but we want people to sit down and enjoy that time together.
“We’ve got all these picnic tables outside and we want to be a venue for everyone to come and enjoy.”
Ms Edmondson said she was excited to see Proof join a host of newly-opened venues in the CBD, include the Brewhouse.
“We’ve been talking to other businesses around the city area, we want to bring together the hospitality community and get Toowoomba involved with (the local scene more),” she said.
“Down this side of Margaret Street, it’s starting to boom.
“We’re broadening that city centre, so we want the hospitality sector to strengthen together, after all the lockdowns and restrictions.”
Mr Lane said the restaurant will pair its wide selection of brisket, rib pulled pork and classic low-and-slow barbecue with local craft beers and American-style spirits.
Proof will be open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday.
For more information, head to www.facebook.com/proofbarbeque.