Casual-to-fine dining resto opens in Serusop

(Top) The facade of Garden Cottage Cafe in Serusop, which had its soft opening last November 1. The cafe-cum-restaurant combines Italian, western and Asian cuisine, as well as coffee and pastries for diners. (Above) Garden Cottage Cafe's coffee bar. Pictures: BT/ Al-Haadi Abu Bakar

By AL-HAADI ABU BAKAR

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - MOST new eateries debut at small scales before pursuing expansion, but a new local restaurant in Serusop, called Garden Cottage Cafe, opened its doors in a very big way last week.

Occupying two units at a newly developed property along Jalan Utama Berakas in Serusop, the restaurant is a new addition to the growing number of fine dining and cafeteria outlets in the Sultanate, offering a combination of Italian, western and Asian cuisine for diners as well as coffee and pastry bars for the coffee enthusiasts and evening outers.

"We want to give our customers of all ages another great place in Brunei to relax, have coffee or enjoy authentic cuisine in the most comforting and relaxing atmosphere, without having to go through the hustle and bustle of Gadong or Kiulap," said Hj Shadoon Lamzi, manager of Garden Cottage Cafe.

Hj Shadoon described the restaurant's concept as a fusion of casual-to-fine dining and coffeehouse-style atmosphere, putting a lot of attention on the interiors such as elegant European decor and garden-themed ornaments.

"We invested a lot on the interiors to provide that warm and relaxing ambience for our customers. The ambience is a good first impression that pulls people in and makes them feel they want to stay longer," he said.

He said that the concept was inspired by the restaurant owner's frequent visits to Australia, where he encountered several eateries with the casual-to-fine dining concept which is still a niche in Brunei. 

He also said that the restaurant offers a variety of signature dishes for customers to choose from, ranging from pasta to curry fish head.

According to Hj Shadoon, the timing is right for the restaurant's opening around the area. 

"Serusop is fast growing. Nevertheless we try to be at least away from the busier areas while still strategically located so that the public is able to notice us," he said.

Starting in a big way can be a great challenge for every restaurant, but Hj Shadoon believed that the current economy poses no threat to restauranteurs who want to start a high end eatery in Brunei.

"Bruneians today are more outgoing than they used to be, always looking high and low for that great place to eat at night, and they obviously want something new, something different, and of course, budget-friendly," he said.

Hj Shadoon said the restaurant targets the entire Brunei audience, citing the growing trend of family gatherings and the Starbucks generation in the Sultanate.

Despite its target to achieve high end status however, the restaurant price its dishes at a fairly reasonable rate, with a premium beef steak costing $14.

"This is a 100 per cent local restaurant, but we do intend to create a brand if it takes off quite well, and possibly franchise it in the future," said Hj Shadoon.

He also highlighted that the restaurant has hired a good balance of local and foreign staff.

"Finding local staffing is always a great challenge, but we've managed to identify a good number of locals, particularly in the kitchen department, and they are very creative in what they do," he said. The new restaurant held a soft opening on November 1.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times