Mick Ellison reopens Mano’s on Tedder Avenue, Main Beach after a 10-year break

SOME considered Mick Ellison as heart and soul of Main Beach in its heyday, and now he’s back to reclaim his title.

Chef Ben Stewart and owner Mick Ellison. Mano's. Pictures: John Gass

SOME considered Mick Ellison the heart and soul of Main Beach in its heyday, now he’s back to reclaim his title.

After being out of action for almost 10 years, Mano’s is ready to rekindle Tedder Avenue’s flame.

“I’ve been out of it for a little while and I’d been playing with the idea of coming back over the years since I had my break,” he says.

“The opportunity came up to secure the shop next door to the original Mano’s so I went for it.

“I missed Mano’s. When you first get out of hospitality you’re glad, but then you realise you were pretty good at it and start to miss it.”

Mano's has made a return to Main Beach. Picture: John Gass

The doors officially opened last Wednesday and Mick had mixed emotions about the night and the resurrection of his beloved restaurant.

“It was a bit strange, but I made sure I haven’t replicated what I had 10 years ago. I think since I’ve kept the name it’s important I make the venue different.

“I wanted to give the people in Main Beach an offering that hopefully they’ll enjoy, they deserve a good venue and the timing’s right.”

The timing couldn’t be better, in fact, with Mano’s reopening in time for the GC600, or the Indie as it was in the good old days when the race and Tedder Avenue went hand-in-hand.

“We embraced the Indy in those days, I’m a huge believer in the race and what it does for the Coast,” Mick says.

Chef Ben Stewart’s creations at Mano's. Picture: John Gass

“We had a lot of the drivers in there, some of the biggest names there ever were.

“We had all the Indy girls in here and celebrity barmen night where you’d have drivers like Stevie Johnson, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes behind the bar pouring you a beer.

“Peter Brock was in here in 2004 I think, after the Athens Olympics, I’ll never forget having Brockie in here.”

Mick says he welcomes the new wave of drivers with open arms and is confident they can get that buzz back.

“A big part before and now is the welcome; we want people to feel welcome as soon as they step in,” he says.

A fish dish from Mano's. Pictures: John Gass

“We were always renowned for repeat business because you’ve got to give customers a reason to come to your place.”

Tedder’s fall from glory hit a lot of people hard, but Mick is confident the new wave sweeping through in conjunction with the old faithfuls who have stuck around will equal a total revitalisation of the dining strip.

“It was sad, I feel like I watched the whole thing happen but I think we’ve seen the worst of it here now, the location is too good and that’s why I’m back here,” he says.

“New operators are going to have to evolve, that’s another reason why the place slowed down a bit: operators didn’t adjust to what people are wanting.

“There’s a good balance now and it’ll re-establish itself and it’ll be strong.

“That’s my hope anyway.”