Our new menu

It has now been two weeks since we changed over to our new menu here at Cafe Alcazar. It has been very well received by our regular customers, as well as attracting many new diners. We have been delighted by your feedback.

Our mixed sharing platters have been proving very popular. This is just what we had hoped for.

People are already booking parties for the upcoming Christmas holiday period. Yes, Christmas!

As well as booking our already popular Pizza/Pasta Party Deal (we have been doing this for 10 years) there have also been requests for a more Middle Eastern style menu. We are currently working on a menu for this, if you are interested, just contact Trish and she can let you know exactly what will be served.

Happy dining.

We made the local paper!

Cafe Alcazar's opening night has made it into the local newspaper!

"Judging by the comments of the guests at the official opening, Cafe Alcazar should prove a winner and worthy addition to the North Shore dinning scene." - Mike Garry

Practically a full page! Thanks Mike, for your kind words.

Are you hungry?

Just in!

The yummiest Turkish Delight I have ever tasted! Get in quick before the staff eat it all! Really - I mean it!

And due to their success on our dessert patter on our opening night, we have made some more Chocolate and Cinnamon Suspiros (Spanish Meringues). And for other desserts, our old favourites: Triple Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake, White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake and Lemon Cheesecake.

Our display fridge is full - for dine in or takeaway. Our dip plates and antipasto platters have been very popular in this warmer weather. Tonight:

Beetroot and Feta Dip

Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Dip

Fresh Iranian Dates 

Marinated Vegetables

Labneh 

Dolmades 

and for mains

 Lamb and Apricot Tagine

Looking forward to seeing you sometime over the weekend.

Cafe Alcazar's New Dine In Menu

Cafe Alcazar Takeaway Menu

The customer is always right!

What a fun night we had on Saturday night. Thanks so much to everyone who came along to help celebrate our grand opening. And a big thank-you to the people who filled in our 'feedback questionnaire' at the end of the evening.

Your comments have been invaluable to read. Some things that you have requested are already on our new menu and others had been discussed for our specials board. It's great to know that the things we want to cook, are the things that you are looking for, when dining out. Win, win.

Here are some of the comments from our 'feedback questionnaire'.

"Great food, good entertainment. More, More More!

"The food and presentation was amazing, the ambience at Cafe Alcazar was so inviting"

"The hommos was awesome!!"

"Loved the lamb koftas!" 

"We both loved the calamari"

"Congrats on a wonderful evening - food was amazing!"

"Had a great night, the food was fantastic. Thank-you!"

"Service was warm and friendly"

"Loved the chicken kebabs and the calamari - very tender"

"We really enjoyed the sharing plates, very important for the whole fun experience"

"the dessert platter was lovely"

"Decor is great. Homey, welcoming atmosphere"

"An excellent and a great introduction for what is to come"

" Dips and grissini, antipasto, spinach and cheese pastries, turkish delight cheesecake - yum"

 "Great night, lovely food, good company. Congrats to all involved"

I think I have already said in an earlier post, that when asked if customers would like to see a regular tasting night the answer on every response was - Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

And the winner is.....

Congratulations to JoTonkin! 

You have won a dinner for two 

(to the value of $50.00)

By simply filling in our 'feedback questionnaire' on our opening night, Jo went into the draw to win a dinner for two. Thanks for all your great comments Jo, we hope to see you soon.

We are so sorry you missed it!

Saturday night was the official relaunch of the cafe.

Last week the old Candoo Cafe sign came down and with much attention, the new Cafe Alcazar sign was put in place. Later this week we will introduce our new in-house menu. Long time customers of the cafe will see that our take-away menu is still the same, including our long list of pizza favourites.

And what better way to celebrate the changing of our name, than with a 7 course tasting menu!

The night was a huge success. A festive atmosphere was set with sharing platters overflowing with delicious new flavours. Diners enjoyed sharing the food platters while listening to authentic world music and clapping along with our belly dancing entertainment; Kylie from Bella Belly Dance.

It really was just one big party. But lets not forget the food!

 Carrot and Coriander Soup

Hommos, Tapenade, Blue Cheese and Walnut Dip served with Hand-rolled Grissini 

Antipasto Platter: Marinated Tuscan Olives, Slow Roasted Roma Tomatoes, 
Rolled and Marinated Eggplant, Roasted Capsicum, Marinated Mushrooms, Dolmades, 
Labneh rolled in Herbs, Caperberries and Pita Bread

Chicken, Raisin and Pine Nut Empanadas, Lamb and Feta Sambousek, Spinach, Ricotta and Feta Pastries 
served with Tomato Chutney and Mint Yoghurt

Platter of Moroccan Chicken Kebabs, Lamb Koftas served with Herbed Yoghurt and Salt and Pepper Calamari served with Lime Aioli

Prawn Saganaki with Grilled Turkish Bread

Dessert Tasting Plate: Turkish Delight Cheesecake, Baklava, Nougat with Cranberries and Pistachios, 
Spanish Chocolate and Cinnamon Macaroons

We were delighted with the positive feedback from the night, when asked if our diners would like to see more tasting nights, the answer was an unanimous YES! 

Maybe you can make it next time. We would love to see you.

Behind the scenes

 

 

We were so happy with the way the evening went on Cafe Alcazar's opening night. As you can imagine, changes like these, need a huge leap of faith... and a handful of helpers. I know that Mum would like to thank all of the family and friends who put up their hands up to help out, both on Saturday night and over the last couple of months.

And a special mention to Jay (who doesn't like his photo taken!) After first taking over this business solo, back in March, Mum encountered a small hiccup with staffing. Then, just when she needed him, Jay came along. He was promptly employed as Cafe Alcazar's chef. I think it was meant to be.

Out with the old and in with the new

Goodbye Candoo Cafe. Hello Cafe Alcazar!

 

In just 3 weeks, old cabinets came out and new one's went in. Finally, somewhere for the glasses. Walls were painted and floors were scrubbed. Furniture was re-covered and some beautiful wooden pieces bought.

The new display cabinet was the perfect fit. Just waiting to be filled: marinated olives, feta, sun dried tomatoes, eggplant and roasted capsicum. Lots of room for more salads, dips and desserts to offer our customers, dine in or takeaway.

The new coffee machine and a change of coffee brands. Cafe Alcazar is now serving locally roasted coffee from Poineer Coffee.

Moroccan and Indian lanterns, tribal walls rugs, mirrors, a collection of pictures from around the world and Mum's very own travel photos have decorated the cafe. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. With our new in-house menu starting on Wednesday 16th October, diners can sit and linger over platters of shared food while listening to world music.

Since the first changes to the decor of the cafe back in March, more and more bits and pieces have been added, giving Cafe Alcazar plenty of character. 

Hope to see you soon.

Trish and Me

Welcome to the 'Cafe Alcazar' blog. 

Cafe Alcazar is the name of my Mum's newly relaunched cafe in Marcoola at the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. My name is Jacki, and although Cafe Alcazar is Mum's 'baby', I will be writing on this blog on her behalf. I hope to keep you updated with what's happening in the cafe as much as possible. I will be blogging about what yummy delights can be found in the display cabinet, as well as the weekly specials on offer. Like I said, this cafe is Mum's business, but forgive me if I write 'we' or 'our.' I am totally absorbed in her vision for Cafe Alcazar. If I were not caring for my young family, I would probably be standing right along side her, each night. Instead, I am with her in spirit and am the occasional hired help.

I am incredibly proud of my mother. This has been a vision of hers for more years than I care to remember. When her partner in their business wanted to leave, she instantly announced that she would buy him out and pursue her dream of opening a cafe/restaurant inspired by the food that both, she and I, love so much.

It was nearly 20 years ago, that Mum made her first trip overseas. After meeting me in London, we spent a month backpacking around Turkey together. It was the beginning of her wanderlust. Mum had her head in the kitchen of almost every place we ate, language and gender were no barrier. Yes, we ate very well during that month in Turkey. Mum has since travelled extensively to parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Favouring the dishes of the Mediterranean countries, she is now bringing these flavours to Cafe Alcazar.

Welcome

Hello, Welcome. I'm Trish.

'Candoo Cafe' has been on the David Low Way at Marcoola, Sunshine Coast for 12 years. I have been a partner in this business for 8 years. In March, 2013, I bought out my business partner. I closed the cafe for 3 weeks to make some much needed changes in decor. My cafe restaurant, now seems more like a home away from home for me. My head is spilling with ideas for the changes I would like to make. We already have a great customer base, so my changes must be made in small steps. Please come along with me on my journey to transform 'Candoo Cafe' into my dream - "Cafe Alcazar"