Miguel’s brings tastes of Spain to Palm Cove strip

Opening last week, the crew at Miguel’s are bringing the inner capital city hidden side street gem with a bit of Spanish flair to the Palm Cove restaurant scene.

New tapas and wine bar Miguel's has opened on the southern end of Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove. Miguel's head chef Andrea Gennusa and general manager Nick Penna serve up the Mantecato de Barra, whipped barramundi with sun dried tomatoes, and the Chips di Pimenton, paprika chips with goats cheese. Picture: Brendan Radke

The crew at Miguel’s are bringing a little Spanish flair to the Palm Cove restaurant scene – and it’s proving a hit with the locals.

The restaurant is being run by co-owners Nick Penna and Michael Kohn, who wanted to bring something new to the tourist strip.

Located on Williams Esplanade, the brand new tapas bar and restaurant has been packed since it opened last Wednesday.

The Chips di Pimenton, paprika chips with goats cheese, whipped barramundi with sun dried tomatoes at Miguel's, a new tapas and wine bar on Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s been surprising. We wanted to open up during the quieter period to make it easier with ironing out any small teething problems,” Mr Penna said.

“The crowd has been good, we’ve been busy every night through the week.

“I’ve seen a lot of familiar faces so its good to have the support from the locals.”

The Mantecato de Barra dish, whipped barramundi with sun dried tomatoes at Miguel's, a new tapas and wine bar on Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Penna has managed other restaurants in Cairns but saw an opportunity to do something different.

“The idea was to try and bring a quality of service and a type of food that hasn’t been done here in the strip before,” he said.

“It’s bringing a bit of the city to Palm Cove. In Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne you get all these alleyways with incredible food so we wanted to bring a little bit of that culture here.”

Mr Penna said his favourite dish was the leek and chorizo croquettes.

“Those are my favourite the crunchiness of the outside with the hot gooiness on the inside is just the best for me,” he said.

New tapas and wine bar Miguel's has opened on the southern end of Williams Esplanade at Palm Cove. Miguel's general manager Nick Penna is ready to serve up Mediterranean dishes and drinks to hungry diners at the beach front location. Picture: Brendan Radke

“There is a lot for everyone and the crowd favourite seems to be the octopus at the moment.”

The restaurant serves a mix of dishes with locally-sourced ingredients highlighted alongside imported authentic Spanish ingredients.

“We needed a certain quality and certain class of ingredients to make the best dishes.” he said.

Mr Penna said Miguel’s was about bringing the entertainment back to eating out, and creating an experience.

“When you are going out you aren't just looking for good food, you can get that at home,” he said.

“You want the experience and to feel special and have some entertainment.

“It’s like a comic book, there is action in it.”

Originally published as Miguel’s brings tastes of Spain to Palm Cove strip