Gusto

A NEW-LOOK e’cucina will open later this month featuring more street exposure that is hoped will boost night and weekend trade, according to owner Steve Smith.

“We want to establish an environment that is more weatherproof and control the heat better, and we want to be seen on Hay Street,” Mr Smith says.

The restaurant’s entrance has been from Central Park for the past eight years, with e’cucina’s takeaway coffee shop, é caf, the only Hay Street visual for the restaurant.

“We’re about to go into rebuilding. We want to keep the alfresco feel because that is what so many of our clients like about us,” Mr Smith says.

“We don’t want to under-utilise the environment we are in. It’s a nice view of the park.”

Mr Smith says he has spent at least 12 months with Spowers architects working on plans for the renovation.

The alfresco dining area that faces Central Park will remain but will be lengthened to Hay Street where the new entrance will be.

“We are replacing the tarps and getting fold-back windows. The kitchen is getting a touch up too,” Mr Smith says.

“It’s gotten a bit tired and we’re going to tidy it up a bit. It’s expensive, yes, I’m spending more than I wanted to.”

The é caf will be linked to the main bar and will continue to provide take-away options.

In fact, the take away coffee has survived the demolition works.

“We’ve got a coffee cart in the park. It’s going really well,” Mr Smith says.

And while lunchtime trade remains strong for the Perth restaurant, Mr Smith wants to increase week night and weekend trade.

The restaurant closed for renovations on Christmas eve and will open with a new Hay Street frontage and significant interior work in about two weeks’ time.