Hula Hoop has worked so well, say owners Stephanie and Jonathon Hamra, that they have now “duplicated” it on the other side of the Regal Theatre on Kensington Road at Kensington Park.

Since mid last year, the Hamras have operated Hula Hoop and Uxbridge Kitchen in tandem on either side of the Regal Theatre, offering residents and cinema-goers both day and evening food and wine options in the two separate businesses.

During the warmer months, Hula Hoop spills out into a grassed and terraced area on the eastern side of the cinema and has been a popular destination for evening drinks, grazing and small events.

A few months ago the couple decided to close Uxbridge Kitchen and expand Hula Hoop in its place to provide the popular bar with a much larger kitchen and dining area.

“We wanted to create a winter space with full restaurant meals,” says Stephanie.

Hula Hoop interior. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Former Andre’s Cucina chef Sam Langley has now joined the kitchen at Hula Hoop full-time to further develop the rustic Mediterranean menu.

“Hula Hoop serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday from 8am till late,” says Stephanie.

“And we are licensed from 8am for the ‘ladies who breakfast’ and those who enjoy a really good Bloody Mary.”

The menu at Hula Hoop changes from “soups and salads” at 4pm each day to a night menu featuring porchetta sliders, gnocchi gorgonzola, beef ragu and braised chicken.

Drinks include a curated selection of Australian, French and Italian wines, cocktails, spirits and liqueurs.

The Hamras opened Hula Hoop in 2015 after closing their 90-year-old furniture manufacturing business at Torrensville.

Jonathon Hamra worked in the family business for 40 years, and has used his experience to create the classic but modern look and feel of Hula Hoop. Dark-wood high tables with bentwood stools and basket-woven pendant lights fill the new space. Black and white photographs of 1950s hula-hoop performers are hung on the wall in vintage wooden frames.

Hula Hoop looks out over Kensington Road. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Jonathon also designed the lanterns, which are hung outside at night to create ambience in the outdoor seating areas.

The Uxbridge Kitchen business name has been parked “for now”, says Stephanie, suggesting the brand may come to life again at some stage in the future.

*Jonathon and Stephanie Hamra are relatives of Paul Hamra, the managing director of Solstice Media, publisher of InDaily.