Hope Island dining: first look at northern Gold Coast restaurant and cafe’s new look and menu

A popular cafe in a northern Gold Coast suburb has been transformed into a classy new restaurant. Take a sneak peak inside.

RONELL Bunting knew the time was right for a change at her Sanctuary Cove cafe.

After listening to her customers, Cafe 19 is no more, with a more sophisticated Bistro 19 taking its place.

“After four years I managed to really get a good idea of what the locals are after,” she says.

“The time was right for Sanctuary Cove to get something new, and it suited me as well.”

The new direction sees the eatery open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, offering the neighbourhood a middle ground between the nearby fine dining restaurants and pub.

“I realised there was a demand for it — customers wanted to dine somewhere not as casual as the tavern but not as smart as other places,” Ronell says.

“The idea was I wanted to move away from being strictly a cafe to be able to be open from the evening.

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Cafe 19 has now become Bistro 19. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

“I kept the 19 everybody associates with me, and we’re still trading form 7am as a cafe, I just wanted to rebrand and refurbish to get a completely new look.”

Ronell describes the new food offerings as modern Australian “home-cooked meals”: simple dishes that could be made at home, given an upgrade with a chef’s touch, minus the washing up.

“My meals are very family-orientated. People that want a meal at home but they don’t want to cook it themselves — they are my main meals,” Ronell says.

“(We have) steak with vegetables and potatoes, fish and chicken, as well as beautiful hamburgers with homemade patties. There’s also pastas for those that want easy light meal, and even things like risotto and salad.

“We also have grazing boards on the menu for people that want to come and have a glass of wine, so I’ve tried to cater for that specifically.

NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY NORTH COAST CAFE OPENS

The restaurant’s interior has been given a major refresh. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

“I still have my same chefs but I added an additional head chef to my kitchen staff. He’s been part of the local scene for 20 years. He understands (locals) and knows what they’re after.”

The breakfast menu has also been given a refresh with new options including waffles, a haloumi stack and corn fritters, while the salmon fettucini and club sandwich are expected to become lunchtime legends. Bistro 19 also offers daily chef’s specials and a cabinet full of home-baked cakes, tarts, breads and pastries.

A scrumptuios carrott cake at Bistro 19. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

Eggs with Smashed Avo and Salmon at Bistro 19. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

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The interior and exterior has been given a refresh, with the previous green and grey colour scheme making way for navy and gold accents with exposed brick, new white furniture and special artwork.

“My daughter is a local artist, she put beautiful artwork on the wall, her name is Ashley Bunting,” Ronell says. “That to me is important to have a personal touch.

“I’ve changed it so the alfresco area is more user friendly and it’s still pet friendly as well.

“It’s much cooler with new roofing and more weather friendly with weatherproof blinds.

“The inside is much fresher and has an open layout which is modern and stylish.”

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Ronell Bunting says running eatery has been “very rewarding”. Photograph: Jason O’Brien.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

With a previous career in teaching, Ronell says running a cafe has taught her a lot about the people of Sanctuary Cove.

“It’s more challenging than I thought it would be, but it’s also very rewarding in the same breath,” Ronell says.

“It’s taught me a lot over the few years about people and hospitality. It’s customer service and how certain customers have their routine.

“They’re here everyday, they’ll order the same thing, sit in the same spot with their newspaper, and they’re very friendly and accommodating. It’s a beautiful experience.”

Bistro 19 is open from 7am daily at 5 Masthead Way, Hope Island.