Cairns Central Billy’s Place up and running
AFTER testing the waters at Smithfield Shopping Centre, the managers of Billy’s Place have opened the franchise’s second outlet this week.
The dining spot started trading yesterday in Cairns Central Shopping Centre at the site formerly occupied by Tosca’s.
Operations and property manager Eleanor Barratt said customers had been asking constantly when the eatery was due to open while the fitout was being completed.
“Having opened the first Billy’s in Cairns a month ago, with an overwhelming response to our menu, the anticipation of the opening has gone from intrigued to excitement,” Ms Barratt said.
“The first of our interstate restaurants, Billy’s Field in Smithfield, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.”
But she said the most remarkable item on the menu was probably something Aussies were most familiar with.
“The most unique experience that customers will have at Billy’s Place is ordering a chicken parmigiana. We have added a mix of bread and cornflakes crumb and substituted ham and tasty cheese for prosciutto and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The end result is extremely delicious and very different from a pub.”
The business is named after William Bourke, the son of English immigrants who fell in love with Australia’s rich variety of produce and livestock.
Billy quickly fell in love with working the land and embracing a broad palate of flavours. In between farming and fishing, he was often in trouble for joy riding in his dad’s tractor, stealing hens’ eggs and the neighbour’s vegetables.
Cairns Central centre manager Christie-Lee Jackson said the centre was thrilled to welcome one of Australia’s fastestgrowing restaurant groups.
“Billy’s Place brings a completely new offer to the casual dining precinct, creating a new leisure and lifestyle destination for the Cairns region,” Ms Jackson said.
Tosca’s, which had occupied the Cairns Central site since the centre opened two decades ago, closed earlier this year, with the fit-out beginning almost immediately on what would become Billy’s Place.
The diner is opposite another gastronomic newcomer, Wara Sushi, whose creator, Tony Choi, could not wait to branch into the Cairns market.
The newcomer also joined new games arcade iPlay in the centre, which included a Baskin and Robbins icecream outlet. The 500sq m space is full of typical arcade games like Super Mario and redemption games.
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