Ave Cucina & Café, Eva St, Coorparoo

 We cheered for them on “My Kitchen Rules” and now the dream has come true.

Veronica and Shadi Abraham have opened their own restaurant in suburban Coorparoo, showcasing their family style food which encompasses their Italian/Lebanese heritage.

Just as it was on the show, family is very important in the restaurant with everyone lending a hand. Normally an ocean of checked pants and white jackets, the kitchen on opening night was full of women decked out in their finery for the opening, putting the finishing touches on the food before it hit the floor.

“Simple, with a twist,” is how Veronica describes their cuisine. “We are looking to create an affordable yet cosmopolitan eatery with a warm, loving atmosphere – your new local, where everyone knows your name and just how you like your coffee.”

So what’s on the menu?  On opening night there were some wonderful ‘meat pies’ as Veronica calls them and other goodies floating around.  The table was filled with some very interesting, one-off imported cheeses, roasted tomatoes and some marinated olives which I’d love to eat again.

From today on the breakfast menu along with some standard bacon and eggs offerings, you’ll find Ave’s French toast, housemade za’atar bread with cucumber slices and tomato and Rosaria’s eggs alla fiamma.

Lunch includes caponata (sautéed eggplant, capsicum, zucchini and tomato) with a side of bread ($9.50), marinated lamb wrap ($12), Sicilian pasta ($14), bruschetta ($11.50) and steak baguette ($12).

Veronica and Shadi are still finding their way with the café and planning to modify the menu as they settle in.

With coffee king Phillip Di Bella and coffee shop supremo John Lazarou beefing up the crowd at the opening, it’s clear the Abrahams have some experienced mentors on hand.

Ave Cucina & Coffee Bar, 16 Eva Street, Coorparoo.+61 7 3161 5937 (no reservations)

2011 Trading hours - 

Mondays – CLOSED

Tuesday – coffee and cakes only until 11:30am

Wednesday-Saturday 7am-3:30pm (kitchen closes at 2pm)

Sunday – 8-1pm for all day breakfast only