Story by Cara Devine. Cara is our Melbourne-based drinks author. She is the supervisor of Bomba in Melbourne and the face and expertise behind the cocktailing YouTube channel Behind the Bar. You possibly can e mail her at behindthebarchannel@gmail.com
Whereas many metropolis dwellers could dream of shifting to an idyllic coastal city, only a few have the gumption to truly make it occur. For profession hospitality employees, there could also be a worry that discovering fulfilling employment might be tough; Bianca Wendt (alongside together with her husband Ric Divola) had an answer when wanting to maneuver again to their childhood stomping floor on the Coffs Coast — open their very own place.
Wendt labored at iconic Sydney venue The Oxford Artwork Manufacturing facility again when it opened, earlier than taking a break from hospo. A transfer to Melbourne drew her again in. “Eating out was actually a pastime for my accomplice Ric and me, and it didn’t take lengthy earlier than we realised we needed to be on the opposite facet of the bar. We lastly determined to dive in and see the place it will take us. I used to be fortunate sufficient to attain a job at Heartbreaker which led me to the position of Venue Supervisor at The Everleigh, positively a profession spotlight.” I used to be truly on the opening workforce of Heartbreaker with Wendt, and her heat enthusiasm and pleasant manner made it unsurprising that she rapidly moved by the ranks of the Made within the Shade group.
So what took her to regional New South Wales? “A transfer was already on the playing cards, however Covid sped up the timeline. We grew up on the Coffs Coast so it made sense to return residence. A good friend was seeking to promote a restaurant he had closed in Sawtell, simply south of Coffs Harbour. The area was kitted out, so we recommended a ‘pop-up’ to fill in time. Fortunate for us, the pop-up was successful, and we have been capable of purchase the enterprise from our good friend.” And so Bar Que Sera was born, a “relaxed bar and restaurant”. The placement has formed the type of service and providing,
Wendt explains. “Sawtell is a small, laid-back coastal city that has an inflow of metropolis folks in vacation occasions. We have a tendency to change gears relying on the time of yr. We’ll dial up the providing in peak occasions, which fits guests, and in quieter occasions, we push weekly specials and one-off occasions to draw locals…your eating choices are restricted in regional areas, so internet hosting occasions that provide one thing completely different or new all the time attracts a crowd and retains issues attention-grabbing.” It has relaxed wine bar vibes with seasonal menus, a powerful wine choice and the form of well-executed cocktails you’d count on from Wendt and accomplice Divola, who additionally brings a wealth of hospitality expertise to the combo (Eau de Vie, Dinner by Heston and ex Head Bartender at Cutler & Co).
Off the again of the success of their first enterprise, the pair determined to open a second spot. “Morty’s Joint is true subsequent door to Que Sera, they actually share a wall. Loads of the identical DNA flows between the venues however the goal for Morty’s was to draw a crowd that Que Sera wouldn’t be capable to crack. We serve fried hen and burgers, the menu is brief and sharp as a result of the kitchen is tiny! There’s a highlight on impartial craft beer. We pour Philter, Storage Challenge, Mountain Tradition and White Bay on faucet and have round 15-20 tins within the fridge, which is a large choice for a city of three,000 individuals. We’ve a pool desk which we made free to encourage individuals to return in and hang around. It’s a neighborhood spot. Numerous individuals simply rock up understanding they’ll see somebody they know there, which is absolutely cool to see.” Whereas there are challenges to working in a regional space – Wendt factors out that, on common, they pay extra for items throughout the board, plus freight on high, however can’t value objects as in the event that they have been within the metropolis – this sense of group is extraordinarily vital to her.
“Morty’s Joint is true subsequent door to Que Sera, they actually share a wall. Loads of the identical DNA flows between the venues however the goal for Morty’s was to draw a crowd that Que Sera wouldn’t be capable to crack.”
For others taking the leap into bar possession, Wendt has some sage recommendation: “Take care of your self! And when individuals provide to assist, say sure.” Engaged on issues progressively will help as nicely. “Opening a brand new venue proper subsequent door to Que Sera was an surprising alternative for us and, admittedly, a bit of past our attain. We knew the one manner we might do it was to begin with naked bones, give attention to service and product and deal with the remainder in small bites as we have been capable of. Morty’s has been open for a yr now and it’s seemingly nonetheless a yr away from being ‘completed’, nevertheless it’s been enjoyable watching our imaginative and prescient slowly come to life.”
It’s clear that the husband and spouse working dynamic gives nice assist as nicely. “It sounds dorky however I’d be mendacity if I didn’t say Ric is somebody who I look as much as and conjures up me. His creativity, information and private drive to do higher is subsequent stage.” Collectively, they’re a dream workforce, with Divola focussing on the kitchen and Wendt bringing her sunny disposition to raise the front-of-house expertise.
The life-style is a significant draw when shifting away from the most important cities. “Days off I’m heading straight for the seashore or river, one of many perks of residing on the coast,” says Wendt, “nothing beats an ice-cold beer by the water!” A day on the seashore after which dinner at considered one of Wendt’s venues? Time for a street journey, I feel.
