Wilbur's Cafe Bar

A Mixed Bag….Art by Peter Engel on display at Wilbur’s Cafe Bar.

2010-11-01T21:06:00.001+11:00

A little background information on Peter Engel

Portrait Artists Australia

ilios gallery is an exhibition space created to display the work of local and emerging artists.

ilios is the Greek word for the sun.

Located within Wilbur’s Cafe/Bar at the Hackett Shops, Canberra, ACT Australia

See ilios gallery for information on Peters work.

Gentleman Jim.

2010-07-26T21:17:00.001+10:00

Taken from The Canberra Times Saturday July 17th

Honour for pizza pioneer

THE distinguished restaurateur known as "Gentleman Jim", described as the first to bring pizza to Canberra, will be honoured with the unveiling of his portrait on Monday. James Savoulidis of the local Greek community, known in Canberra as the founder of Plaka restaurant, has been painted by artist Peter Engel. The portrait is to be unveiled at Wilbur's Cafe Bar in Hackett. Savoulidis, born in Greece, grew up during the Great Depression and was in 1938 sent to Australia by parents who wanted a better life for him. In 1959 he settled in· Canberra and opened a number of businesses in the city starting with the Mondial Nightclub in East Row. During the '60s he helped many Greek families who had migrated to Australia to get established. In 1971 he established the Plaka restaurant in Mawson where Gough Whitlam was a regular patron. He taught Whitlam to dance the Zorba. Engel's previous portraits include that of former Commonwealth ombudsman Professor John McMillan, journalist Virginia Haussegger, former politician Kerrie Tucker and Colin Slater of Sing Australia.

We were lucky enough to be invited to the above unveiling on Monday 19th July.

We have known the Savoulidis family since early 1989, and they are more family than friend to us.

The following photos, newspaper clippings and some of the words from the artist, make up our tribute to Gentleman Jim and his Family.

James Savoulidis

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James & Helen-----Vicky Savoulidis & David Pring-------Lorraine Pring & Vicky Savoulidis

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Pic 3-----Nasi Savoulidis

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James Savoulidis-----Steve Stavros Savoulidis

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Pic 2----Crystal, Stavros & Eleni Savoulidis Pic 3 Artist Peter Engel

Speech by artist Peter Engel

Good evening everyone - I'm Peter Engel, the artist and I would like to welcome you to the unveiling of the portrait of James Savoulidis. A special welcome of course to James and his wife Helen, their children Steve, Arthur and Andrew. Vicky and Geraldine and children.

The purpose of the portrait is to pay tribute in a small way to the life and achievements of James but in the process to have some fun. While James is the subject of the painting, he has not seen it nor has any members of his family! So this is very much a high stakes game for James and me. As an amateur artist I could quite easily get this very wrong - seriously as I have said at previous unveilings, 'failure is well within my reach!' This is either going to be a great hit and I will be a friend of the family for life, or I'll have to find somewhere else to have my coffee in the mornings. So there is a fair degree of anticipation and anxiety tonight!

Before I say a few words about James and the portrait, I want to just restate my artistic objectives. For the past few years I've painting Canberra identities as part of a series. So far they include the former Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, Virginia Haussegger, Ron Cahill the former ACT Chief Magistrate, former politician Kerrie Tucker and Colin Slater from Sing Australia. John was the first major portrait I undertook and he has been at all of the unveilings since then and he is here again tonight -thankyou John. Colin is also here tonight – welcome Colin

All of these people have made a contribution to the Canberra Community in some way or another and so too has James Savoulidis. He has contributed significantly to the Greek community in Canberra but also to the wider community via the numerous restaurants he has established including the Plaka where he came to know many of the politicians of the time including Gough Whitlam who he taught how to do the Zorba. He also established the Mondial Night Club in East row and was the first restaurateur to bring pizza to Canberra with the Pizzeria in Garema Place in the early 60s. These businesses were some of the first beginnings of a much more diverse cultural and culinary landscape in Canberra that we enjoy today.

To be an innovator and to be the first to achieve something in any field of endeavour says a lot about Jim. Obviously he was a risk taker, with entrepreneurial spirit and strong self belief. These attributes he has obviously passed on to his 3 sons with the most recent example being the establishment of this fantastic facility. Not only has he been successful professionally, in partnership with his wife Helen he has been successful in marriage and in raising a family and forming an extended network of friends. He is unassuming and has obviously dealt well with people over the years earning him the nickname 'Gentleman Jim'.

He was sent to Australia by his parents when he was just 18 in the hope that it would provide a better life for him. I think we can definitely say that his parents' wishes have been fulfilled.

So how to translate all this into this portrait. The main objective with any portrait is to peel off the outer layers that we all have to protect ourselves and show something of the inner being. I hope I have done that with this painting. It's very informal and shows Jim at his most relaxed. I hope it shows a balance of the determination and commitment and entrepreneurial spirit but tempered by a sense of contentment he must now feel in having achieved so much in his life.

So here we go, and remember the strength of your applause will indicate how successful the painting is!!

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Article taken from Canberra City Chronicle 20th July 2010

Further photographs can be found Wilbur's Facebook Page and Lorraine Pring "Live Album"

The extensions.......getting closer.

2010-07-03T20:58:00.001+10:00

The 8th July will be Wilbur's six month anniversary.

The cafe is slowly evolving.

Outdoor heating and blinds have been installed and the back deck will soon be in use.

The opening to the new area is completed and a new window installed as well.

Carpet has been laid and a fireplace installed.

We can't wait to enjoy our meal in the new area.

The menu has also evolved, and some of the blackboard specials are superb.

The cake/biscuit cabinet is full of mouth watering delights, and rather dangerous for the conscientious dieter.

The ever friendly Brianna

A regular

His best mate

Dusty work ahead today.

The Back Deck.

The Owners and driving force behind Wilbur's

Fireplace

Carpet at last.

Article from The Chronicle Tuesday 29th June 2010

Saturday afternoon.....3rd July 2010

Do yourself a favour and drop in for a coffee snack or meal.

The Extension has started

2010-02-07T21:45:00.001+11:00

Sunday 7th February 2010

School resumed Tuesday 2nd and the smiling faces of some staff members were missed during school hours.

My SO(significant other) was working day shift and our visits were restricted to post 4pm.

Our youngest accompanied us on Tuesday and announced that Wilbur’s Cafe Bar was the place to go for an afterschool drink and snack :).

Work has started on the area adjoining Wilbur’s and I will try and get some shots of the mess this week.

The back deck is still waiting approval and will be an ideal place to sit when this comes through.

The “Table with a View” photographic exhibition is still running, and is worth a visit, before during or after your coffee.

We could put a menu board here…..

Just a few cup screws….

All we need now is the chalk

Water bowls and free water for the woofers

Relaxed customers

Unusual counter display

New sign

Skinny Cap please

Breakfast

Sweet snacks

Australia Day at Wilbur’s Cafe Bar

2010-01-26T22:18:00.001+11:00

The last few days have been busy at Wilbur's Cafe Bar.

Excitement on the weekend when a doggie customer decided to chase… I am not sure what ……and he was still attached to the chair….sorry I was not there for a photo. Chair is recovering from abrasions.

I have heard a whisper that Wilbur’s will soon be expanding and will keep everyone up to date with photos of the progress

Photos taken Sunday 24th Jan

Monday 25th

Wilbur keeping a watchful eye on the staff

Sorry buddy, you need to stay outside.

Tuesday 26th

Australia Day Menu

Kangaroo Pie & Chips

Freshly Baked Damper & Golden Syrup Proud Aussies

Footpath patrons

Don’t forget to check our Facebook page

Here

Saturday Specials at Wilbur’s Cafe Bar

2010-01-23T19:38:00.001+11:00

Tried to arrive before the customers to get some empty shop shots.

Will need to set the alarm earlier than 7am to achieve this.

We started our morning with a Skinny Mugaccino, and watched as the kitchen staff worked their culinary magic.

My Brekkie… French Toast

Menus and chit-chat will follow in a few days

Welcome to Wilbur’s Cafe Bar

2010-01-22T18:28:00.001+11:00

Wilbur's Cafe Bar in Hackett opened on 8th January 2010.

The owners had to negotiate many speed bumps before the establishment could open for business.

We made the trek from Kaleen to Hackett every fortnight to check on the progress.

Opening day finally arrived, but we were having a few days in Sydney and didn’t enjoy our first coffee until Sunday 10th, and have travelled back to Hackett nearly every day/evening since.

Most visits are for breakfast or morning coffee.

This is Wilbur

Family meal on Wednesday