Chimping off the old block is new cafe by day and hip tapas and wine bar by night - Funkee Monkee.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Making their opening debut on August 1, the "Indian tapas bar with a twist" has opened its doors to throngs of local foodies keen to test new waters.
Re-inventing Mumbai street food, owners Rajnesh 'Raj' Palan and Murali Krishna are stoked to have snapped up the prime piece of real estate on Victoria Street.
Bombay fries, tikka masala tacos, deconstructed samosas and transforming traditional pizzas onto naan bread are just some of the quirky dishes patrons can expect.
Their specials include $15 Wings and Beer Mondays, $3 Tacos Tuesdays, $18 Slider and Beer Thursdays and live music on weekends from 9pm.
Like any new restaurateur making his debut, Raj said he was nervous to begin with, but having his restaurant at full capacity the past two weekends has eased his nerves.
No stranger to the hospitality industry, Raj has cooked his way through top hotels in Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Vietnam.
Moving to Australia in 2006, Raj worked as a chef at The Ship Hotel in Busselton for two years and later set up his own restaurant Palais 85 in South Perth.
Now, armed with a unique concept and menu, an entrepreneurial spirited Raj spotted a business opportunity in Bunbury and grabbed it with both hands.
"I wanted to create a social scene and make this place into a vibrant small bar with an exclusive bar menu," he said.
"I wanted to create a communal eating culture like we have in India and that's why I have long tables in the bar area so people can get to know each other.
"I'll be looking at making this into an American whisky bar and introducing new whiskies for people who love their whiskies."
Funkee Monkee Restaurant and Bar is located on 27 Victoria Street and is open daily from 11.30am-midnight.