Bonython Tower: New food precinct The Bon Pavilion opens
IT’S got two fabulous bars, cafe and restaurant led by an internationally renowned chef, and a unique atmosphere like no other. Here’s a sneak peek of the coast’s latest food mecca.
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IT happens on Friday afternoon.
The doors of John Singleton’s highly anticipated The Bon Pavilion in the heart of Gosford will open.
From warm colours to a breathtaking memorial, wall art and glamorous staircase — not to mention executive chef Sean Connolly’s simple yet sensational food — The Bon Pavilion is set to impress all walks of life from young families to office workers, tradesmen and foodies.
The Express Advocate was given an exclusive sneak peek at the dining venue — with cafe, two bars, restaurant, private dining and cellar door — under Bonython Tower ahead of its opening on Friday.
Proprietors Karina and Brian Barry, who own Bells at Killcare, are ecstatic with the result of the $4 million food and beverage mecca.
“I am absolutely blown away,” Mrs Barry said. “It’s better than I imagined; warmer. We tried to capture Australia after a bushfire with punches of warm orange native colours.
“We are keeping it really simple and putting a message out there that we are not fine dining but somewhere accessible that you can visit every week.”
As you walk in you are greeted by the The Bon Espresso which, from Saturday, will be open daily from 6.30am to 5pm as a cafe with food to grab and go as well as lunch options.
After 5pm, Bon Espresso transforms into Bon Bon Bar serving wine, cocktails and snacks, as customers admire the stunning mural by world renowned urban artist Lisa King.
The subject of the mural is Elsie Stuart, a proud and inspirational Aboriginal woman from the Biripi Nation located north of Taree.
Moving on to the family friendly restaurant Bonfire, open for lunch and dinner serving
Australian and globally influenced cuisine in a relaxed and informal setting.
“I like cooking on the bone and in the shell as everything tastes better,” executive chef Sean Connolly said.
“Food brings us all together, it’s the glue that strengthens our friendship and relationship with each other. Food is my life but as a chef and restaurateur being hospitable is more important than good food.”
The bustling kitchen can be seen from the restaurant, and head chef Stephen Scott said it was “everything you want in a kitchen”.
“We are definitely set up to win,” Mr Scott, who worked in the UK with Gordon Ramsay at Hell’s Kitchen, said.
“There’s nothing like it. I’ve worked in some big kitchens but never been in anything like this. Sean helped design and fine tune it all.”
There is a lounge area to enjoy a coffee or quiet beverage, which will also house DJs and live music.
Then you reach the impressive Bon Public Bar, serving craft and classic beer on tap along with premium spirits, wine and cocktails. This area has five big screen televisions for sporting and other major events.
But there’s more, with Bon Private Dining for special occasions along with Bon Vin, a cellar door for new and old world wines starting from $38.
Bon Pavilion general manager Eddie DeSouza, who is the former GM of Mumbo Jumbo’s in Terrigal, said the team was excited to open and there was high adrenaline around the venue.
“It’s all the little things; the aesthetics, the attention to detail,” he said.
BONYTHON TOWER SET TO OPEN
Executive Chairman at Bonython Property and Investments Paul Anderson said the team had worked hard to deliver the overall vision of the development.
“It’s really close to how we originally designed the concept,” he said.
“Brian and Karina made some changes a long the way which have been great.”
He said the commercial levels of Bonython Tower would open at the end of the month, and residents would start moving into the Tower in May.
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