A warm welcome and great coffee
If you've spent any time near the Remarks Café at the Arvida Queenstown Country Club Care Centre lately, chances are you've been greeted with a cheerful “good morning” or “hello” from Sasanka (Sasa) Wijethunga.
As the café's new Barista, Sasa has quickly become a friendly face. Originally from Sri Lanka, Sasa has spent more than ten years working in New Zealand’s hospitality industry. Before moving to Queenstown, he co-owned the popular Centro Café in Takapuna, where he built a loyal customer base and earned a reputation for exceptional coffee and friendly service. Sasa and his young family decided to move to Queenstown for the peaceful lifestyle, and natural surroundings.
Now, he's bringing his passion for great coffee and customer service to the Queenstown retirement community. Flat whites and cappuccinos are the most popular choices at Remarks Café, and Sasa takes pride in making every cup. He says the secret lies in precision - from evenly tamping the coffee to ensuring the perfect extraction time and carefully texturing the milk. For Sasa, a café is about much more than just coffee. He says it’s the experience of catching up with friends, meeting neighbours, or enjoying a treat from the cabinet.
“I enjoy taking the time to chat with people,” he says. “If I can brighten someone’s day with a smile, a conversation, or a good coffee, then I’ve done my job.”
Remarks Café is located at 420 Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway. The café is open to the public seven days a week from 10am until 4pm.