With all the uncertainty surrounding The Star’s future in Brisbane, one question preoccupies the local food and drink industry more than any other: what will happen to the independently owned restaurants at Queen’s Wharf if the casino operator goes belly up? From September, there was a bum-rush of openings on the precinct’s fourth-floor dining terrace: Black Hide, Azteca, Luc Lac, Dark Shepherd, Pompette, Cucina Regina and Hua, with all but Regina and Hua run by outside operators. Well, according to restaurateur Michael Tassis, it will be business as usual for the independents, regardless of what happens to The Star. “To be honest with you, it’s still going really great,” says Tassis, who owns Dark Shepherd and Pompette.
“I speak to most of the operators up there and they’re happy. The foot traffic is still buzzing, and I still think it’s only going to get busier.” In the past month, Queen’s Wharf co-owner and casino operator Star Entertainment Group declared it only had $79 million left in the bank.
Revenue fell 15 per cent in the last quarter, and administration, or a possible fire sale, was looking more likely . “Whatever’s happening in the background, we’re just making sure we’re focusing on what we’re doing, and bringing something different to the precinct,” Tassis says. Chook sanger of your dreams? Find it in a sleepy Holland Park street “It’s a shame there’s been a bit of bad media coverage, but no matter what happens, it’s sti.
