Iconic waterfront restaurant stays relevant with high-class home delivery during restrictions
An award-winning restaurant famous for its heritage-listed waterfront setting and a wandering ghost has defied the odds and continued trading by bringing its fine dining experience to virus-restricted homes.
Redlands Coast
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The Courthouse Restaurant in Cleveland, a go-to venue for special occasions in the Redlands, has tackled its coronavirus-forced closure with the same panache employed in its usual service.
Owner Mary Gibb said forethought saw them launch Courthouse@Yourhouse the day after the restaurant’s doors shut to the public.
However, the restaurateur of 32 years was determined to maintain the venue’s signature style.
“We have always been a place for special occasions and celebrations and the last thing we wanted to do was try to compete with cheaper takeaway options,” Ms Gibb said.
“So we focused on who we were, and on bringing this special experience to our guests’ homes.
“From the outset, we focused on quality containers and serving dishes that could easily be transferred to their own dinner plates.
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“The orders were treated with the same level of quality, attention and service as the customer would experience when dining in.
“Special occasions still needed to be acknowledged and celebrated, albeit very differently.
“Bringing the Courthouse to their homes has been a joy and we plan on continuing with it long after we are allowed to re-open.”
Chefs prepare orders a la carte, the same as if a diner was sitting in the restaurant under normal circumstances.
Favourites include Escalope of Veal Tenderloins pan fried with mushrooms flamed in brandy, finished with cream and served with prosciutto ($38); Confit Duck Leg with Duck Rillette and Grand Mariner Jus ($34); or Grilled fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi, macadamia nut crust, lemon and chive sauce ($34).
And a glance across the desserts also makes for salivating viewing: Chocolate Decadence chocolate brownie, rich ganache, salted caramels and chocolate fudge ice cream ($12); Passionfruit Tarte with burnt lemon and citrus curd ($12); and Warm Sticky Date Pudding served with butterscotch sauce and vanilla bean ice-cream ($12).
Ms Gibb bought the historically significant old courthouse property in 1998.
It is constructed in part of handmade bricks and features an original cell block.
The original building, dating to 1853, was variously used as a courthouse, a jail for violent offenders, and church services.
It has even experienced an event like the coronavirus pandemic once before: in 1919 when the Spanish flu killed around 15,000 Australians.
Local legend has it that the ghost of Elizabeth Bigge still peacefully roams the building – despite having died in England more than 150 years ago.
But believers say Mrs Bigge returned to the place, built by her husband Francis Edward Bigge, which had made her the happiest during her lifetime.
Ms Gibb said she was taken aback by the scope of economic fallout from COVID-19.
“I have experienced many challenges within an already challenging industry, including two recessions, but cannot say anything has even come close to this,” she said.
“Celebrations were impacted, socialising was impacted and my business depends on these very things to even exist.
“Government officially closed us on March 23, but the two weeks prior I was so concerned for the health of my staff and some elderly patrons, I actually wished they had enforced that sooner, despite the ramifications to my business.”
Luckily the Courthouse Restaurant enjoys a strong following which buoyed it during these dark times, the owner said.
“The support has been overwhelming, from our restaurant guests, our wedding couples and the community in general,” Ms Gibb said.
“I have always enjoyed community support after so many years in business in Redland City, but I could not have anticipated these levels.”
The high-class offering has seen an enthusiastic uptake with customers sharing their occasions on social media.
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Ms Gibb was also effusive in her praise for staff who rallied for the beloved venue.
“Unbeknown to me, they all volunteered their time until we could get to a safe place,” she said.
“They mobilised a roster among themselves to make sure we were covered and the load was shared evenly – and that was long before there was any talk of government assistance.”
To book a meal see www.courthouserestaurant.com.au or call 3286 1386.
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