Going Italian, the latest waterfront venture in Cairns keeps it simple
It has all the ingredients for success – stunning waterfront views, the best of chefs and good, simple cuisine.
Cairns
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IT has all the ingredients for success — stunning waterfront views, the best of chefs and authentic Italian cuisine.
The latest dining venture to grace Cairns is Ollie’s Italian, named after head chef Oliver Hokema and opening on Thursday between two of the city’s best known restaurants.
“When you sit between massively successful restaurants like Dundees and Mondo, it’s always a tricky spot to be, but we’ve decided to sit on traditional, simple and tasty cuisine,” says manager Kevin Gabsi.
“We’re gone back to the roots of food.”
Owned by the Wilson Group, which launched The Chambers in Spence St last year, Ollie’s brings together an international staff gathered from Australia, Germany, Italy and France — among them sous chef Alessandro Iovine and head pizza chef Benjamin Lorkin.
A French-born and trained hospitality, banking and financial whiz, Mr Gabsi said Ollie’s had deliberately kept things simple.
“We know our people. We know who to target,” he said.
“We can’t please locals and tourists and Europeans and Africans and Americans and Asians, but we can stick to Italian cuisine and it will please whoever likes good, genuine cuisine.
“We need to do it great, but we need to not go everywhere, trying to please everybody.”
Mr Gabsi said plans were already afoot to expand the restaurant early next year, boosting its 80-seat capacity by a further 30-40 people.
“We’re going to build a deck that’s like an extension of the restaurant.”
Staff from Ollie’s and The Chambers sat down to savour the new menu yesterday, while floor staff will be put through their paces today.
After eight years at C’est Bon and the past year at Crystalbrook Riley, Mr Gabsi said it was the perfect role for him.
“I like a good challenge. I like to do something I haven’t done before. I like to learn.”
He is also at home in any part of the restaurant.
“If the floor is busy, I’ll be on the floor and if the kitchen is busy, I’ll come in and help plating because I love both.
“I love food. I love customers. I love wine. I love to design wine menus. I love to be involved in every part of the restaurant. I just love what I do.”
Head chef Ollie Hokema said he was flattered to be in charge of a restaurant bearing his own name in a location second-to-none.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. You couldn’t get a better spot than this really.
“Our concept is about sharing, being family-friendly and generous portions. We’ve kept it simple for now, but good quality. This gives us a lot of room to play around with specials and keep the ingredients really fresh and local.”
And while the doors haven’t yet opened, he’s already planning a fresh menu.
“We haven’t started this menu yet, but we’ve stepped ahead and are creating a new menu for three months time. That’s the whole idea — that we keep changing, so nobody gets bored and it keeps everyone interested.”
Ollie’s Italian is open 11.30am until late daily, 1 Marlin Parade, from this Thursday.
Originally published as Going Italian, the latest waterfront venture in Cairns keeps it simple