Matthew Michaelis
I was walking my toddler down to the park in New Brighton late last Saturday. There appeared to be a hustle and bustle at the local cafe. I noticed an intimate setup going on at the Yum Yum Tree and, being a good snoop, I grabbed the first human who could tell all. A friendly face popped out of the cafe and greeted me warmly.
It took Gilles Gohlke only minutes to let me know that the eatery was open now for dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Then another few minutes to let me know that locals receive a 10 per cent discount as he handed me the menu. A man then walked in with a bag; it was a delivery of fresh fish. Gilles explained to me that all the fish on the menu is really fresh (it was too). All in all (and considering he didn’t know I write on food), it seemed to me that this guy was a fabulous frontman for the business.
The next bit of information I didn’t know – Gilles was the new owner of the place. Manfred Rudolf, the previous owner, was on his last month’s handover. What good work I’d done without lifting a finger.
Gilles, an expat of Germany, travelled around Australia and immediately fell in love with this part of the country. ‘I ran into Manfred as a customer. I saw so much potential in the Yum Yum Tree. We first became partners, then I added things here and changed things there. I built the bar and refurbished the kitchen for example,’ Gilles told me.
‘My fiancée bakes sensational cakes for the cafe,’ Gilles said. ‘We now have free wi-fi along with live music three days per week on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 1pm. The Farm in Ewingsdale is providing us with free-range eggs. The Farmers Market provides many of our seasonal products such as Coopers Shoot tomatoes and Bangalow pork. The new menu provides a great selection of dishes including gluten-free, vegan and organic choices,’ he added. He’s also after a supreme chef to add to the growing team, so although I’m not applying for the job, I will be joining the ranks with my bum firmly planted on a seat to try his new menus and good Botero coffee.
Yum Yum Tree
BYO and fully licensed. Open 7.30am–3pm, seven days.
Dinner Friday and Saturday from 6pm until 9/10pm.
50 River Street, New Brighton, Phone 0403 160 663.
www.facebook.com/yumyumtreecafe
