Pinati's Restaurant - Brisbane

I would like to share the Pinati’s story with you.

It started as a small stall selling vegetables, eggs and dumplings in the Samoan village of Savalalo, well over 70 years ago, by my great grandparents, Seneuefa & Leong Lau.

My grandparents, Aualiitia Pinati Paul & Matilda Krause Ah Leong developed the family stall to serve affordable and tasty Samoan food. Thus introducing, Pinati’s Restaurant and Pinati’s kale (curry) which has become somewhat of a cornerstone of Samoan cuisine.

From humble beginnings, our family story has thrived under the guidance of two very important and influential people in my life and that of my siblings - my parents, Hon. Sala Fata Pinati & Peseta Cecilia Ah Leong.
To whom I am grateful for their sacrifice, guidance and example. My parents are my inspiration for this venture. It is my dream to continue the legacy they have strived so hard to build. Throughout my life, my parents have given up so much to grow our family business and provide for their children, extended family and community. I have big boots to fill but I also believe this is my way to honour them and to say thank you.

With the original Pinati’s in Samoa, Pinati’s NZ; run by my uncle and aunt, I am blessed and privileged to continue the story and would like to share the taste of Pinati’s with you; as a tribute to my parents, grandparents, great grandparents.

Pinatis Brisbane is my own take of good polynesian food which includes some of my family dishes but also dishes from my parents-in-law, as a tribute to my wife's Pa, Taulagi Tuulima Toala. A man of many talents of which traditional Samoan cuisine was his specialty.
So this is our brand that we hope to share with the Brisbane public, visitors and to also pass onto my two sons and only daughter.

Please stop by if you are in the area, whether it is to buy some chop suey, faausi or even if it's just to say, malo.

Faafetai lava,
Paul Ah Leong