THE founder of hip St Georges Terrace coffee shop Rosso Espresso is looking to open a similar outlet in South Perth. Michael de Marte, who also owns Café Bocca with his brother, Frank, has signed the lease for a property on Mends Street, South Perth.
The new espresso bar will be called Atomic Espresso and, unlike Rosso, will open seven days a week.
The venue will provide the same great coffee and paninis and other treats available at Rosso, Mr de Marte says.
“Once we’ve opened South Perth we will look at places like Claremont or Subi to do the same thing, and then look at opening a Rosso in West Perth. We will have the two concepts that will work well in different areas,” he says.
There will be a new restaurant at the bottom of Exchange Plaza by January next year, according to the building’s manager Trish Innes. Gusto has discovered that the most likely operator will be Warren Mead.
The property managers have discussed restaurant concepts with a number of different hospitality players, however Gusto can reveal that the discussions are now down to one person – and that person is Mr Mead. Both parties are being tight lipped but a final sign-off on the project is expected within weeks.
Now that 9Mary’s has opened in the CBD its owner, Murray Kimber, can concentrate on opening his third Indian eatery, in Highgate. Mr Kimber has had the site opposite Soto Café for several months but has been negotiating with the local council about providing adequate parking for the facility.
Mr Kimber told Gusto work would commence in Highate shortly.
