Bulimba restaurants Amante Tapas, La Quinta Mexican close doors following dispute
The owners of two busy restaurants in a ritzy Brisbane suburb will close their venues later this month after 18 years in the bustling dining strip.
Southeast
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Two popular restaurants in a ritzy riverfront suburb in Brisbane’s southeast are shutting up shop after a dispute with the new landlords on top of staff shortages.
Co-owners Nev Scott and Jeanie Smith will close La Quinta Mexican Cafe and Bar and Amante Tapas and Vino at Bulimba’s busy Oxford Street on January 22.
With Mr Scott also as the head chef, La Quinta has been operating for 18 years while Amante opened in February 2021.
Ms Smith said a dispute with the new owners of the site regarding a possible demolition and no guarantee over the restaurants’ future led to the sad decision.
“We got a notification in August last year that the buildings both the restaurants are in had been sold,” she said.
“We still have no resolution so we couldn’t afford to take the risk without being able to guarantee our staff the future of the restaurants.”
Brisbane developers Cielo Group planned a major overhaul of the busy Oxford St strip in August last year, announcing plans for new restaurants, shops and a luxury rooftop pool and bar.
Cielo Group Director Justin O’Donnell said he was disappointed to see the restaurants close.
“We are very disappointed that they are leaving, though we wish them all the very best,” he said.
Ms Smith said they have been in discussions with the group about compensation but had to be realistic with some staff members, who were on working visas, leaving because there were no guarantees around the future of the restaurants.
“Our staff have been there through it all and we are so grateful of their support and hard work, as it has not been easy at times.
“The last couple of years have been hugely challenging with lockdowns, losing staff, Nev‘s brief stunt man antics and so much more.
“We have loved every minute of it though and have some amazing memories to look back on.”
The “stunt man antics” Ms Smith is referring to is when Mr Scott spent time in hospital after being thrown from a car when trying to stop thieves from stealing a customer’s handbag.
The restaurants will continue to operate as normal until they close.
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