‘MELBOURNE-STYLE’ RESTAURANT JOINS CBD’S EAT STREET

A POPULAR Toowoomba chef has reentered the city’s foodie scene, opening a new “Melbourne-style” Asian restaurant in the CBD’s heart.

Raphael John De Paula, who founded and ran Kusina on Ruthven Street until three years ago, has recently opened Karan-an Asian Boutique Restaurant on Margaret Street.

Mr De Paula said a three-year stint working in top South Australian restaurants gave him new inspiration for dishes and styles.

“I moved to South Australia after I sold the Filipino restaurant, and I also worked in Asian restaurants there,” he said.

“When I came here to holiday, my sister (Cecile An Williams of RAK Thai Kitchen) offered me this opportunity.”

Together with Ms Williams and her business partner Kanokwan Suwanphusaporn, Mr De Paula founded Karan-an with a view of mixing Asian food styles together.

“We’re mainly Thai, Malaysian and Filipino — I’m Filipino and I really wanted to promote our culture through our food,” he said.

Picture: Nev Madsen. ASIAN BLEND: Chef Raphael John De Paula with his food from the newly established Karan-An restaurant in Margaret St.