A dozen or so more high school students can now confidently add ‘hospitality experience’ to their resumes, after Tenterfield’s newest restaurant had its soft opening on Wednesday night.
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La Tavola is the first endeavour of the Emerald Adventure Project (EAP), providing business training and opportunities for youth. It’s billed as ‘dining that makes a difference’ but that certainly doesn’t mean having to sacrifice any of the niceties of an evening out.
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It must have been a daunting experience for the youngsters but they hid any nerves and certainly looked the part, well-groomed in their hospitality blacks.
The place was humming on Wednesday night, but the service was attentive and meals arrived efficiently, but never rushed. EAP instigator Sapphire Daly kept an eye on the kitchen while mum Janet Daly supervised front of house, but it was the kids’ show from the moment hostess Natasha Lambert greeted me at the door.
I had the pleasure of being seated at Anika Rossington’s table, and the service was confident and pleasant.
Starters began at $9 and included a choice of home-made soup featuring Tenterfield Farmers Market produce, arancini (risotto balls), Bruschetta Moderna (toasted Pane De Casa with tomato salsa, balsamic reduction and fetta) or an antipasto platter to share.
The menu then moves on to first course options (priced from $9-21) offering pizzas, salads and a risotto. Second course dishes ($16-24) include traditional favorites liked lasagna, bolognese, creamy chicken pasta, gnocchi and a mushroom ragu served with creamed corn polenta.
Desserts ($7-14) range from biscotti to tiramisu to gelato to a cheese board.
To drink there’s barista-made coffee plus a variety of other hot drinks and cold, and a $3 corkage fee per BYO bottle.
The table next to me raved about the brushetta but I couldn’t fit it in. The gnocchi was calling my name and I’d already seen the tiramisu walking past, and I wasn’t disappointed with my choices.
There’s nothing half-baked about this youth-run restaurant which seats 25 over two levels, accommodating two sittings each dining session. I overhead parents saying how their children had blossomed as they progressed through the training and took on the responsibility of running a business.
Opening a restaurant is always risky but, with community support, this one will not only provide great industry experience for those involved but also pave the way (and fund) other youth-run enterprises.
La Tavola officially opens its doors for business tonight, Thursday July 19, and is open for dinner from Thursdays to Sundays. Reservations are recommended and can be made through the La Tavola Facebook page or by calling 0491 075 795.
They’re off to a great start, and I wish them all the very best.
