Bar Evelyn – Your new local hangout

Words Grace Mackay | Photos Supplied

A neighbourhood place to gather, relax, chat, laugh and enjoy great ‘Italian-ish’ food.

“It’s named after my mum, Evelyn”, says Bar Evelyn co-owner and head chef Nick Stanton.

But Lynnie is clearly not a regular mum – she’s a cool mum.

The feeling as you sit and soak up the ambience at Bar Evelyn is moody, cosy and inviting, yet in an effortless and approachable way.

Steeped in retro charm, with leather booth seating, wood panelled walls and green glass bankers lights, Bar Evelyn delivers on the experience and the food.

The menu features a distinctly Italian flavour with a decent pinch of imagination and experimentation thrown in.

Co-owner and head chef Nick says the menu relies heavily on the seasonal produce available from local growers and suppliers.

A lot of work goes into it behind the scenes, making fresh dough and fresh pasta, but we also do a lot of experimentation depending on what’s available seasonally from our producers.

Venison shank ragout, fresh tagliatelle, Gremolata, pecorino.

“We pride ourselves on using everything local – from butchers, fishermen, producers and farmers,” says Nick.

“Our limes are from Bilambil, oysters from Terranora and produce from Duranbah.

“Our menu is what we call ‘Italian-ish’. A lot of work goes into it behind the scenes, making fresh dough and fresh pasta, but we also do a lot of experimentation depending on what’s available seasonally from our producers.”

For example, their spiced aubergine dip that features on the menu at present relies heavily on Mediterranean flavours.

“It really is about what we can get our hands on at the time,” says Nick.

“I love that about running a restaurant and being chef – we try and focus on the classics and simplicity, but do it in our own way depending on what ingredients are available.”

 

When dining recently at Bar Evelyn, a friend ordered for our table.

And while I heard the order of ragu being placed, what I tasted when it arrived was not what I expected. It was love on first bite.

The dish was a tagliatelle version of ragu that was heavy on garlic in the best possible way – it was almost bright in its taste on the tongue.

Nestled among the strands of tagliatelle sat delicate, melt-in-your-mouth tender morsels of a meat I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Upon review of the menu, to my surprise, the delicious protein was in fact venison.

And while I’m usually pretty game when it comes to trying different foods, venison isn’t something I usually go for, yet I could have eaten that dish all day long.

Our group also ordered the maple and pork pizza (which was as yummy as it sounds) and rounded out the meal with a decadent slab of tiramisu.

Venison shank ragout, fresh tagliatelle, Gremolata, pecorino.

I love that about running a restaurant and being chef – we try and focus on the classics and simplicity, but do it in our own way depending on what ingredients are available.

If drinks are more up your alley, then the cocktail list is sure to get you excited.

We tried the smoky negroni and sampled the Bar Evelyn version of a margarita.

Drinks are the domain of Co-owner Mark Catsburg, which follow a similar philosophy to the menu – classics with a twist.

“I like to think of it as classics with care. They are not too finicky but with memorable, interesting flavours,” says Mark.

“Our margarita is made with lemons, not limes, and a house-made limoncello. It’s a definite crowd-pleaser.

“The cocktail menu also features one of the best martinis in town, in my opinion.

“We use the Winding Road Citrus & Sea gin from Tintenbar that manages to make the drink both citrus and salty.”

The wine menu is made up of mostly Australian small batch producers and some Italian varieties.

“It’s not a strictly natural wine list but natural wines feature heavily, and all are minimal intervention wines,” says Mark.

Both Nick and Mark come from long hospitality backgrounds, having opened successful establishments in Melbourne and Bangalow before making the move north to be closer to family.

Nick is originally from Tweed while Mark’s wife is from the area, making Coolangatta an easy choice.

“It’s a great little coastal suburb that remains unspoiled, with that old Gold Coast feel,” says Nick.

“Our aim is to be a neighbourhood place – a place you can go for great food, drinks and good conversation. Somewhere that is relaxed and fun where everyone is welcome.”

And frankly, that’s exactly what Mark and Nick have achieved with Bar Evelyn.

A must visit.