AFTER recently opening 321 Cafe Learmonth, owner Rob Gayton said he\u2019s settling in well to the venture.<\/p>\n
Since revamping the venue formerly operating as Cafe Sidra at the start of October, he said his brand of hospitality has been well-received by the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been sensational,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone\u2019s wrapped because there\u2019s nothing much out here aside from the hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got all sorts of groups coming in here. Somebody said it\u2019s the heart of the community, to be able to come in and have a coffee or a meal.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife Julie who works here too grew up in Learmonth, so she knows every second person that comes in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice after years as a country publican to be working in a small community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Gayton took over the venue in April after 16 years as owner of the City Oval Hotel.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s since undertaken renovations like expanding the Barnes Room and moving the bar towards the main counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got things like new equipment and a nice display fridge with cakes and new till and beer systems, and all the floors have been redone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With about eight staff, Mr Gayton said 321 Cafe Learmonth is a blend between cafe, hotel, and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve probably gone a bit over the top but we can offer you anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother thing we\u2019ve done is make a little general store with some biscuits, chocolates, and drinks. We\u2019re going to have eggs and some local produce and things.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a much more extensive menu than Cafe Sidra and I\u2019ve brought my chef Dave Chambers from City Oval.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER recently opening 321 Cafe Learmonth, owner Rob Gayton said he\u2019s settling in well to the venture. Since revamping the venue formerly operating as Cafe Sidra at the start of October, he said his brand of hospitality has been well-received by the community. \u201cIt\u2019s been sensational,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone\u2019s wrapped because there\u2019s nothing much out […]<\/p>\n