Treading a fine line on excellence
Watergate in ranks of prestige eateries
WATERGATE Restaurant and Lounge Bar Port Douglas owner Ricardo Cooney insists the business is not worthy of being named one of the best fine dining restaurants by TripAdvisor.
The popular resort town restaurant was given the title of Australia’s fourth-best fine dining restaurant by TripAdvisor in its Travellers’ Choice Awards.
But Mr Cooney refutes the “fine dining” title.
“This is a popular misconception. We are not a fine dining establishment and we have never aimed to be,” he said.
“I guess if you had to class what we are trying to do, it would come up as casual fine dining.
“We aim to provide a great atmosphere with friendly, professional service matched with good food and a good wine and beverage list.
“We want everyone to feel comfortable.”
He said the secret to making people feel at home was embracing the beachside feel of the town.
“We are just a regional restaurant in a little resort town that, thankfully, locals and visitors seem to enjoy. We are happy with the fact that most folks seem to appreciate what we are attempting do,” he said.
“And passion is involved. I don’t think you could achieve anything without passion.”
He said the most-ordered dish in the restaurant was a simple local reef fish dish with customers loving the ocean-toplate initiative that staff implemented.
“All of the senior staff have input into the menus. I think it comes from travel ... and seeing what other restaurants are doing,” he said.
It’s the same staff that welcome the customers, cook for them, chat with them and make them feel at home.
“The one thing that makes Watergate Watergate is the staff,” he said.
Watergate came behind NSW’s Muse Restaurant, Perth’s Friends Restaurant, and South Australia’s fermentAsian to nab the fourth spot.