Cafe a part of history
Charred is set to open in weeks
A BUILDING associated with Toowoomba’s foodie history is set to get a new lease of life when it reopens as a cafe and restaurant in coming weeks.
Charred is set to open soon in the same location the former Weis restaurant operated, at the Toowoomba Range end of Margaret St.
Head chef Nicolas Wood said he recognised the enormity of opening something new in that historic space.
“I think what Weis did in there was so incredibly important for the town with the tourism it attracted,” Mr Wood said.
“They had a seafood focus, but we’re going to pay homage to our local produce and have a more inland focus.
“So we’ll have all of your local Australian fauna and flora, lemon myrtle, bush tomato, all great stuff we have but don’t usually cook with.
“We’ll have Australian grass-fed beef, kangaroo, and more.”
The Weis restaurant closed in 2015 following a long battle with Toowoomba Regional Council over a marquee.
Following the closure, half of the main building was transformed into a veterinary clinic last year, the other half remains vacant. Charred will be based in the building that sits off the main home.
“In order to use the space the best we can we have separated the precinct into two concepts, we have a cafe that will be open from 7am through to about 2pm, doing Australian breakfasts, a cake cabinet and top shelf coffee,” Mr Wood said.
“The restaurant will be in a separate room.
“They’ll be joined in the middle by the bar and the kitchen, so it’s the same team producing the goods for the cafe and restaurant.”
Mr Wood said no date had been set for the cafe’s opening, but he hoped it would be in a matter of weeks.
The restaurant’s opening would follow soon after.
He said he had a strong passion for good food, wine and beer.
“If I’m not serving delicious food I’m doing the wrong thing,” he said.