Week Ending 18 Jan. 2015
We're right into the swing of 2015 and the food scene in Launceston is a-buzzing! Change-overs & name changes, openings & upcomings - it's all happening.Firstly, a big shout out to the Mud Bar & Restaurant - Mirin/Tempura battered oysters w/ ginger & chilli/lime - crisp & delightfully delicious. $22.00 for 6 - I'm happy with that!
Down to the nitty gritty - who's opened - what's changed - what's up and coming?
During the week, Wednesday to be precise, Hubert & Dan (formerly Home of the Artisan), flung open its doors at Longford (15-20 mins. seamless driving from the city). The new owner, Danielle, isn't that new as she has been part of the Artisan team since its inception 3 years ago. The former owner, Caroline Scrase-Dickens, is stretching her wings & broadening her horizons with other ventures, but continuing her catering business for the time being. Hubert & Dan
The Tower Cafe - no. 11 High St., East Launceston, has been up & running for a couple of months now BUT they weren't opening on Saturdays.
So now that they are, there's no excuse to NOT pay them a visit. AND, just to tempt you one of the two owners, Richard Schindler was the accoladed Chef at Pierre's for the past few years creating masterpieces of food joy to impress the highest of critics. Pierre's has won many awards whilst Richard was Head Chef, so this is definitely a visit to be made as a testament to his cheffing greatness. David Coull brings his hospitality management & front of house skills to complete their team.
Let's venture back into the CBD - a 2 mins. drive or a 10 min. walk - and give you the latest there.
The Bakery in George St. has a new owner and a name change. Café 106 has decked itself out in bold red, black & white and has delivered a menu that oozes freshness & variety.
The Messiah Café, lower George St., has closed :( - I'm waiting in anticipation to see what pops up there.
If you didn't know, Salsa Tapas at Seaport closed its doors on 21 December and is no more. A very sad day for its loyal patrons and for Seaport itself. Talking about Seaport, a little pop up café began trading a week or so ago. Ciao Bella offers all day coffee, icecream, cakes & other snacks.
Moving right along, this time down the river on the West Tamar side, to Gravelly Beach (approx. 35 min. drive). Not one, but two openings. Everybody screamed 'halleluja' on hearing that the much loved Koukla's (closed last Feb.) was to re-open. Well, it has - in the form of a new building, new name, new menu direction & right next door to the original. It has been renamed "Hooked on Koukla's and I guess some will be disappointed at the far cry from the Koukla's Mediterranean theme - but I'm sure those flavours & choices will gradually creep in, in some form or another. Forget the long, lazy lunch - as Cathy the owner, has settled for a much more casual approach, with limited seating & a solely seafood menu. Take aways and eat-ins are offered with choices of salmon, fish, squid, scallops, oysters & prawns either grilled, battered or crumbed. Sides of salads and chips & tea coffee & cake sum up the menu which will appeal to the flock of regulars that graced the former for afternoon tea & snacks.
Early days, so time will tell. Trading hours are Wednesday through to Sunday, 9am-8pm. Last but not least, and still at Gravelly Beach, (in fact at the former Koukla's), Tamar River Cafe & Restaurant has opened. More information will be added to the site as it comes to hand. so, that's a WRAP! ('scuse the pun) ...
... Cathryn G. Gibson ...
