Estuary Café & Bar

The new owners of the Estuary Café & Bar, in the Omaha Golf Club community centre, couldn’t believe their luck when they saw the business was for sale.

Hugo Wong and Patrick O’Donnell, who are joint owners with Patrick’s mother Leigh, say it has been a long-held dream to own a café and live at Omaha. Now they have both.

“There’s a cool energy at the centre and so much potential,” they say. “We’re going to take things slowly as we get to know our customers and what they like, but we are excited to start planning for next summer.”

Previous owner Warwick McIndoe remains involved in the café during the month-long handover and then there will be a new chef in the kitchen.

Hugo, who has 14 years’ experience in hospitality establishments in Auckland, says they are keen to expand the menu to include a range of salads and other healthy options.

For Patrick, the café is an introduction to the hospitality industry. He has a fine arts degree and was a high school teacher up until the end of last year.

“I’ve been coming to Omaha since I was a kid,” he says. “My Nana, Norma Chestnut, lived here and we’re honouring that connection by using some of her recipes in the café.”

Hugo and Patrick say the café’s location on the estuary, with outstanding views and outside dining, was one of the things that attracted them to the business.

“Our plans include opening longer hours over summer and we hope to become a friendly social centre for Omaha. We are keen to welcome everyone – residents and visitors – as well as golfers.”