Back in the 1960s Brisbane's dining out scene was quite sparse, unlike today where there is a cafe or restaurant in almost every suburb. In those days there were a couple of decent restaurants in the city and beyond that you were looking at a pub counter meal.
One restaurant that I remember fondly from back then was Mama Luigi's on St Pauls Terrace in Spring Hill. For many of us it was our first foray into Italian cuisine - I had certainly never eaten garlic or pasta at home before that time.
That Mama Luigi's no longer exists, although I think the name has been re-used by others. I recently came across a couple of nostalgic images of the original restaurant and its staff.
Here they are.Firstly, the venue itself - it is clearly a converted house. And I think that taxi at the front could be from one of our now-defunct cab companies, Blue & White.
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(Photo: BCC-S35-9311262)
Next, some of the restaurant staff looking extremely cheerful. The range hood seems a little on the grimy side though.
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(Photo: National Archives of Australia)
There are a few reminiscences about Mama Luigi's on the internet. I like this one that I found on the 1 million Women site:
"I remember many years ago there was an Italian restaurant just like this in Brisbane called Mama Luigi's. The American soldiers who were stationed in Brisbane and of course Australian families and friends frequented this place regularly. There were long tables and people sat with other people and really enjoyed the experience.of making new friends as everyone liked to talk with each other..."
tff
One restaurant that I remember fondly from back then was Mama Luigi's on St Pauls Terrace in Spring Hill. For many of us it was our first foray into Italian cuisine - I had certainly never eaten garlic or pasta at home before that time.
That Mama Luigi's no longer exists, although I think the name has been re-used by others. I recently came across a couple of nostalgic images of the original restaurant and its staff.
Here they are.Firstly, the venue itself - it is clearly a converted house. And I think that taxi at the front could be from one of our now-defunct cab companies, Blue & White.
Next, some of the restaurant staff looking extremely cheerful. The range hood seems a little on the grimy side though.
There are a few reminiscences about Mama Luigi's on the internet. I like this one that I found on the 1 million Women site:
"I remember many years ago there was an Italian restaurant just like this in Brisbane called Mama Luigi's. The American soldiers who were stationed in Brisbane and of course Australian families and friends frequented this place regularly. There were long tables and people sat with other people and really enjoyed the experience.of making new friends as everyone liked to talk with each other..."
tff