New Kiama restaurant Silica is growing much of its own produce at Dapto Community Farm and picking it fresh daily.
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The two-storey eatery with views of Surf Beach is the realisation of a dream for friends Luke Basic and John Cappellin who wanted to try something new.
The menu is based largely on in-season local produce as well as seafood.
Mr Basic grew up in the Blue Mountains and did his training at Aria and Bentley in Sydney before moving to Wollongong for a seachange a couple of years ago and falling in love with the area.
A father of two he and his partner Kate Liehr enjoy the lifestyle the Illawarra can provide a young family. Mr Basic met Mr Cappellin when they both worked at Harbourfront.
The two got along well and realised they had a mutual dream of owning and running a restaurant.
Mr Cappellin is a chef of 12 years who was born in Wollongong where he served his apprenticeship and has worked at a number of restaurants including Michael’s Trattoria.
“I also worked in a restaurant at Lake Crackenback. But this is both of our dreams”.
The opportunity arose when the Surf Beach site in Manning St became available.
Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner and breakfast on weekends Silica offers formal dining downstairs near the kitchen and more relaxed dining upstairs.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
