By Vivienne Pearson
Going back to the court house would normally be a punishment, but not when it’s the restaurant at the Court House Hotel.
Run by Michael Coy, the Court House Restaurant has seen some changes to the menu and décor, with new greenery, copper, and window seating.
Michael is not looking to compete with the super-low prices at other local venues. ‘We are not the RSL and we’re not the Middle Pub,’ he says. ‘That’s the gun I’ve stuck to for six years.’
The refreshed menu focuses on fresh, quality meals with more seasonal variation. Even the Pub Classics show Michael’s 5-star cheffing training, with organic Sol bread used for burger buns and herb chat potatoes the standard side (don’t worry, chips are available on request).
Vegans and those who eat gluten-free are clearly catered for. New food trends feature, with hemp seeds used in the roasted beetroot salad and poké bowls with either raw tuna or tofu.
The restaurant is run separately from the hotel. Michael’s business is Mix Catering (get it – Mick’s/Mix?) and he also offers catering at The Mullum Leagues Club and other venues as well as in-house private cheffing. Mix Catering also has a vintage food van called Little Bonnie Dot.
‘We did a surprise wedding at the Bruns Picture House recently,’ says Michael. ‘It was under the guise of a 55th birthday party and, when the guests arrived, the couple turned around the Happy Birthday balloons to show the words ‘Getting Married’. One of my staff members, who also thought it was a birthday party, burst into tears!’
Groups are also more than welcome at the Court House. Groups of up to 30 have the option to simply order from the menu like regular patrons or, like groups of more than 30, can arrange a set catering menu.
If you are in Mullum for the music festival this weekend, pop into the Court House for both the music and the food. ‘We’ll be doing a special festival menu,’ says Michael. ‘Burgers, salads and tacos – basically anything you can eat standing up!’
Forget standing in the dock of a court house; standing up at a gig with a quality burger in hand sounds like a great way to spend a weekend.
The Court House Restaurant at The Court House Hotel, cnr Burringbar & Dalley Sts, Mullumbimby.
Open 7 days, 11.30am–2pm and 5.30pm–8pm-ish. Ph: 6684 1550, Facebook: @Courthouse Restaurant
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