Queensland's river city flooded with excitement

It's a different way to dine -- with a paper towel tucked into your shirt and a barrage of eggs smashing around you.

But there are no mild-mannered waiters with traditional white plates at this restaurant.

If you want to eat, you better be able to catch.

Brisbane's Kabuki Japanese Restaurant is as much about the showmanship as it is about the delicious teppanyaki food.

Hidden away in the city's riverside business district, the restaurant houses lines of teppanyaki bars and grills around which diners sit.

It's as much a culinary show as it is a meal and conversations inevitably revolve around the chef's clever cooking tricks.

There's the speed of their hands as they chop the meat, the clever upside-down notes they write in salt -- and a warning to duck as an egg flies at you.

You're supposed to catch it in your rice bowl so the chef can cook up his fried rice, but mine landed on the floor.

Better than in my lap like the poor guy at the next table.

Brisbane is a city often under-rated beside big brothers Melbourne and Sydney, but a quick tour of the city shows there's more than enough exciting places to see.

Obviously many agree, with the River City achieving the highest population growth of any capital city -- 2.1 per cent compared with the 1.3 per cent national average.

But that doesn't compare to its business growth, which is currently sitting at 22.7 per cent and overshadowing the national average of 0.6 per cent.

Brand-new and established restaurant and cafe precincts are scattered around the inner city, as well as chic new bars with shelves brimming with high-end liquors.

Those that stood out on our visit were as enjoyable as they were different.

A stark contrast to light-hearted Kabuki is Watt Modern Dining.

Situated by the river in a defunct powerhouse -- now the Brisbane Powerhouse arts centre -- its industrial historic feel and calming views give the place its bold character.

And a City Cat ferry terminal close by means those staying in the city can enjoy the river sites after their meal -- especially the city's iconic Story Bridge, which I admired more keenly, knowing I would be climbing its 110-odd stairs during my stay.

Later I pull on my sandshoes and stand with my climbing group as our leader begins our journey up to the 74-metre-high viewing platform.

But it's easier than it looks unless, of course, you feel less than comfortable peering through the grated floor as you finally reach the peak.

It's best to admire the view, which stretches from the CBD, out to mountain ranges and across to the Moreton Bay island -- and down to the thousands of cars that stream past each day.

Built, not for the traffic, but as a way to create jobs during the Great Depression, it was the country's second highest and the world's seventh highest bridge when it opened in 1940, our guide explains.

Sadly, four men lost their lives while it was built, falling off the 1,072 metre-long steel construction.

Historic pictures back at the Story Bridge Climb's headquarters make an interesting end to the climb, letting you see just how much the city has changed.

Later, I am rid of my less-than-attractive climbing attire for a bit of shopping.

The city's fashion sector has boomed in recent years with funky new boutiques a joy to stumble upon, as I found when I came across the new TCB building in chic inner-city Fortitude Valley, known as The Valley.

The re-developed building links the busy Brunswick Mall to Brisbane's Chinatown and houses seven up-and-coming Queensland designers in a promotion which gives them 12 months free rent.

They include international brand Easton Pearson, national multi-award winning designer Bora, and Gail Sorronda, who has attracted the attention of Hollywood starlets Mischa Barton, Dita Von Teese and Winona Ryder (who apparently now pays).

The Queen Street Mall's Queens Plaza brought a similar buzz to the city when it opened a few years ago.

The shopping sanctuary delivered top stores many fashion conscious had long yearned for, including the state's first Tiffany & Co, Alanna Hill, Mimco and Louis Vuitton.

But if you're willing to explore the inner city you'll find dozens and dozens of boutiques offering different and one-off pieces for those more budget conscious -- and lots more that Brisbane has to offer. 

IF YOU GO:

For things to see and do: Visit www.experiencebrisbane.com.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb: Call 1300-254-627 or visit www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au.

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant: Call (07) 3221-1999 or visit www.stamford.com.au/spb
and click on the restaurant link.

Brisbane Powerhouse: Call (07) 3358-8622 or visit www.brisbanepowerhouse.org 

* The writer was a guest of Brisbane Marketing.