Mommie Dearest at Caro Mio.

Imagine stepping back in time to the 1930s. A world of high teas, fine china, jazz, cabaret and old world charm. Well at Caro Mio this world is alive and well. Proprietor, Luke Quadrelli, has created quite a stir in the heart of Woolloongabba's revamped and burgeoning retail and dining strip, allowing people to experience dining as they were in days gone by.
By day Caro Mio is cafe style – soups, lasagne, cakes and an array of teas and coffees from around the world but by night the intimate surroundings and fine food make this cafe the perfect place to bring your special someone for a romantic night.
Caro Mio first opened its doors three years ago and has cemented its spot amongst Brisbane’s finest cafes. Luke believes that the reason Caro Mio has been able to establish its self so well has been not just because of the beautiful surroundings and food but the extra qualities such as the entertainment and staff.
“We have slowly but surely expanded. I think the reason behind out success has been finding the right performers and the right staff. It has allowed us to mature and grow.”
Every Friday night, diners are treated to the swinging sounds of local Jazz musicians while they enjoy their meal and a bottle of wine. Luke has just opened a new basement for entertainment and has plans to open a bar downstairs.
Memories of yesteryear are the passion behind Caro Mio and one of Luke’s biggest passions is classic cinema. Every second Saturday, Movies from the golden age of film are shown on the big screen with a wide selection of films on display, ranging from tear jerkers to the fabulous and camp.
A special screening of the iconic camp classic ‘Mommy Dearest is coming up on 23 August and is sure to pack the house. The night will cost $40 per head and includes a three course meal, movie and popcorn – but no wire hangers!
After all the entertainment of the weekend, what better is there to relax than by enjoying high tea with friends? Immerse yourself in the ambience of the silver service treatment: sit back, be pampered and delight in the mouth watering three- tiered-stand of various delicious finger sandwiches and delectable scones and pikelets and dainty petit fours served with premium teas. An afternoon fit for a queen.
In addition to the cafe, Luke also provides customers with clairvoyance readings. Luke is a renowned clairvoyant and has been reading in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne since 1988 and specialises in clairvoyance with Tarot, Photo and Aura readings. His aim for the Café is to create a space where people will find comfort and insight in a relaxing atmosphere.
For a full list of upcoming movies and events visit http://www.caromiocafe.com/
Caro Mio. 598 Stanley St, Woolloongabba Qld.

(This is the Article that appears in the latest issue of Q News, go here for more http://www.qnews.com.au/home )

Caro Mio! Gus and Mommie Dearest.

Happy to report that i have indeed recovered from my weekend sailing trip to the other side and apart from having a little bit of time management kaos, my week has been fairly average yet busy. I am doing a photo shoot tomorrow for a classic movie night that i compere for a gorgeous quaint little 30s art deco cafe in Wooloongabba here in Brisvegas called Caro Mio. Go here if you want to check it out. ( http://www.caromiocafe.com/) I fell in love with this cafe the first time i went there with a friend of mine Daniel. I had hopes of maybe having a Clayton's engagement party there one day for Gus and i, owing to the fact that not long after meeting Gus i was standing in my kitchen sort of half joking about the fact that i was never going to get married and i made some comment about how i would never get to walk down the isle, let alone pull out my imaginary wedding dress from my wardrobe and starch it for my big day. A friend of mine Sherrin was up from Townsville at the time and she had a bit of a giggle about it and when Gus said straight up "I'll marry you" she heartily encouraged him. I sort of said oh yes ok sure not being serious but he, while only joking pursued the idea for longer then i thought he would have, and after a short time of this i sort of didn't know what to say and being a bit imbarressed i agreed and said ok lets do it. Both of us as far as i knew and i am sure he would agree had no intention of seriously going through with it but the idea grew until we started calling our selves the oddest couple. ( A play on that 60s sitcom about two guys living together "The Odd Couple") He was your fairly typically cute gay guy type and i was a feminine Transgendered lady with extras and i am not referring to that in any Hollywood movie terms. We stayed together as friends for months, and it eventually developed much further than even we expected. We went about our lives "under the radar" as we jokingly called it as a suedo straight couple and at times we even fooled ourselves, we grew very close and in a strange sort of cute way it developed into a lovely accidental match of two weirdly compatible people. Unfortunately time changes us and takes us where we need to go and alas my partner in time, best friend and soul mate has gone out to live near Mt Isa for a while to pursue his chosen career. As it turned out we never had our pretend engagement at Caro Mio after all. We are still close friends and i hope that one day in the future we can go camping, shopping and have a laugh playing the oddest couple once again. What did come out of that visit to Caro Mio, was that i reconnected with Luke Quadrelli (the owner) that i have known on and off for about 17 years and i started compering the movie nights for him. I hope to be getting further involved with his cafe with stand up comedy and other themed nights in the near future. Today Synthetic and I will be photo shooting for an article that will be in the next Q-News (Gay Rag here in Brissy) about the movie nights. The story will be about the Cafe and its fab classic movie nights and we will be dressing up as Joan Crawford and Christina Crawford to promote Mommy Dearest which will be playing on the 23rd of August. Cost is $40 which includes a scrumptious three course meal, Popcorn, interval quiz prizes and smiles from the lovely staff. (Thomas, Adrian,Rachael and Luke.) I will post the article and pics when they come out. xxx Banksy.