Smokey Pint’s power couple starts fresh chapter at new location
NEW LOCATION
In an exciting development for barbecue enthusiasts, Petra Kubinova and Petr Oplustil, the culinary power couple behind Smokey Pint, have made a bold move from their establishment on Warner Street to a new, central location on Macrossan Street, which opened just last week.
The couple decided to move their Texas-style smokehouse to a new location to make it easier for people to visit and take advantage of the lively atmosphere in the area.
“Our previous location was nestled away from the heart of the action,” Ms Kubinova explained.
“As a result, our business experienced inconsistent foot traffic, with some days being busy while others remained quiet.
“After two years, we were eager to take the next step, so when this location came onto our radar, we jumped at the opportunity.
“It's a place Peter had envisioned from the start, but we needed to gain experience on a smaller scale before pursuing it.
“We decided to stick with the same Texas-style concept as it is a hit with the customers but we have added a woodfired grill on which we prepare Argentinian-style meats over an open flame.”
A world-round journey
The couple boasts an impressive background in the hospitality industry, having gained lots of hospitality experience across various locations worldwide.
“We have travelled in Iceland, Alaska, Africa and Asia before we came to Australia,” Mr Oplustil said.
“Australia remained the only country where we hadn't utilised our working holiday visas yet. This inspired our decision to come here and explore while continuing to work.
“We actually both come from a mechanical engineering background so we never thought we would eventually have our own restaurant.”
It was during the pandemic that the couple decided to put down their roots in Port Douglas.
“That is when we decided we wanted to do something different for the town,” Mr Oplustil said.
Adding in those Czech flavours
While their menu caters to the Australian market, they also stay true to their Czech background by incorporating traditional Czech seasoning blends, cooking techniques, and preservation methods.
“We both have a very hard-working Czech mentality so that is probably why we can keep going in the hospitality business, because it is pretty full-on sometimes,” Ms Kubinova said.
Mr Oplustil added that they work perfectly as a couple. “We complement each other perfectly, relying on one another and fostering trust,” he said.
“Our relationship provides an advantage as we navigate the challenges of running a business together.”
Smokey Pint is located at Port Village and is open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday from 11.00am to 9.30pm.