A new coffee house has opened in Wollongong that trades until 5pm, can seat 70, has three full time chefs and an experienced barista.
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Utopia is the brainchild of Jason “Zak” Zakara who is drawing on 27 years hospitality experience to bring something new for city workers and residents at IRT’s new Parkside apartment building.
Centrally located on the corner of Kembla and Stewart streets the Utopia team has been busy from the moment the doors opened on Monday. And they are catering for the official opening of Parkside on Thursday.
Mr Zakara will still run City Beach cafe “The Green Room” until the lease expires in July next year. When he started looking at what to do next he saw the Parkside building being constructed and expressed an interest in the tender for the commercial space.
His vision was to create something where fine food and great coffee come together in an eatery with good ambiance, customer service, value for money and consistency.
Mr Zakara wanted something spacious and to bring renowned Australian roasting company Five Senses to Wollongong.
Dave Mason saw the vision and came on board as business development manager and barista. Head chef is Jake Rosen previously worked for Lorenzo’s and Cheeky Fig and has worked at London and Switzerland as a fine dining chef.
Utopia is open from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have three full time chefs. We serve breakfast and lunch and there is a big grab and go section. For those busy people who only have 20 minutes we have a bakery section with house made pies, sausage rolls and sweet and savoury options, danishes, muffins a whole range of toasties and salad options as well.
Prior to it opening The Green Room 3.5 years ago Mr Zakara worked at Three Chimneys and Illawarra Brewery.
Utopia Coffee House
- Corner of Kembla and Stewart streets, Wollongong
- Monday – Friday: 7am to 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 3pm
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