But what update would be complete without some mention of the restaurant seeing as it's such an integral part of our lives since we've been here. I'm pleased to say that the restaurant is going strong, we're getting busier and busier as we approach the hectic summer season. In fact, we broke the 200 mark (covers) for the first time on Friday night with 205 and then we broke that again last night with 218! I understand that it's been a very long time since the restaurant managed over 200 in two consecutive nights so we're pretty chuffed. That said, that number of covers translates into a lot of hard graft for the team and we were exhausted by the time we finished up last night. Absolutely no need for the gym after 7+ hours of running the Yachties sizzling BBQ grill (served on a steel sizzling platter)!
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| Us in our "blacks" just before opening up for service |
We have also had a website refresh and we'd like to say a BIG thank you to our friend, Ash Winch, who has helped with these changes and is the creative genius behind our site. And also to Em for taking some fantastic photos of our restaurant for the website and for the various tourist and conference promotional content that we have produced and launched over the last few weeks. Thanks guys!
http://www.drunkenadmiral.com.au/
We are also in the middle of launching a new food menu (more additions to the 'ol favourites than removing anything), a new wine list (plus cocktails) and potentially even a new dessert menu too. Aside from the wine list and cocktails (which I'm working on... along with tasting our full current portfolio of wines!), these menu updates are being driven by Craig (Brierlie's dad) and Jamison (our head chef & happens to be Brierlie's cousin) with the design expertise coming via Seb (Brierlie's brother), so it's very much a family affair as you can see. But then again, I am pretty sure that everyone in Tassie is related one way or another. Hopefully by the time of my next blog, we will have finalised and launched these new menu's in time for the summer...!
City of Connections
Whilst Hobart may be affectionately referred to as "Slobart" by some of the locals, it's surprising just how much has been going on here recently. For example, we've just had the Austrlian and England cricket teams in town as they warm up for the first Test in Brisbane, together with all the media and touring fans entourage. In fact, we have had pretty much the entire teams (both England and Australia) plus many of the team managers, commentators and photographers into the restaurant over the last few days, from the likes or Ricky Ponting through to Keven Pietersen. (And unsuprisingly given my interest in the sport, I've actually served both tables without realising who they were until I was prodded later on in the night.) We have also had Sam Neill staying in the apartment above the restaurant as he is here along with Willem Dafoe filming a thriller about a hunt for the now thought to be extinct Tasmanian Tiger...
And for my own part, I can't believe the surprising number of little coincidences and random connections that I've had along the way here. I suppose it's small city but even still. Here are a few examples: one of my wine rep's is actually a first cousin of one of my earliest and longest serving friends from my Hong Kong days, one of the Test cricket media entourage happens to be very good friends with one of our favourite couples back in London and whilst playing a game of mixed doubles the other day, it turned out that my partner was actually the mother of one of my friends from back in London. We're looking for a house at the moment and our real estate agent is actually also one of our gym's instructors and also happens to have starred in one of Craig's horror movies from some time back. And the list goes on and on...
Speaking of friends, I am very fortunate (and this is by complete chance rather than design) but one of my very closest friends, Rich (otherwise known as The P) actually moved out from London to make a new life for himself here in Hobart a short while before I did. It's pretty crazy but very cool having such a good friend of 15+ years whom I associate so strongly with life back at University and London living over here on the other side of the planet with us. It also helps to strengthen that centrifugal force that will hopefully encourage more friends and family to come and visit (and maybe even stay...). The P and I were also treated to a visit from another very good friend from our university and London days, Chris (AKA Crispy), who is living in Sydney these days.
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| Crispy and the P dining with me at the Drunken Admiral |
The Godfrey-Kemp fleet has very recently increased to a whirrling 10 wheels in stature since the last blog, with the newest addition being a jazzy little Honda Civic. Call me greedy but I was struggling a little having to share a car and thought it best to pick up a cheapie just for the sake of a little bit of independence. The car was first registered so long ago it's virtually a "classic"!
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| All 10 wheels of the Godfrey-Kemp Transport Fleet |
I have also joined the Domain Tennis Centre which boasts a total 18 courts - all of which are floodlit! This is a major bonus from my perpsective coming from Hong Kong and London where space is such a premium and rules and regulations concerning noise and light are such an issue. The club is pretty awesome and actually hosts the Moorilla International every year in January as a lead-in to the Australian Open (kind of like Queens for Wimbledon). But probably my favourite feature of this club is it's setting, nestled neatly up high on the Queens Domain (small hilly bushland) with magnificent view of the River Derwent and Mount Wellington. I have just started playing in their Pennant competition which has now provided me with the competitive element that I was looking for.
And to finish this posting off, I will sign off with a selection of photos taken over the last few days which have entertained me in some way and help to sum up everyday life here in Hobart. Anyway, I wish this blog's readers well (assuming there are any!) and would love to hear from each of you if you can spare a moment...
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| The Aussie Drive-Thru Bottle Shop (you don't even have to get out of your car!) |
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| The Hobart Xmas Pageant (just like the equivalent on Regent Street. But without the lights or the X-Factor finalist.) |
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| Summer's here - time for a sun bake & a BBQ (Photo: Shylo & Craig) |
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| Giving the boat a wash after a fishing trip with the Mellors |
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| Hobart's waterfront - a mix of the old and new |
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| A bit of DIY action in Craig's backyard |
