LITTLE TRUFFLE SAVOURS AWARD IN FINE DINING

AN Upmarket Mermaid Beach restaurant has taken home a national prize for European food, with the owner saying fine dining is on the rise again.

Little Truffle, located on the Gold Coast Highway, won a gold medal at the Savour Australia Awards for Excellence in the European Restaurant category.

Owner Daniel Ridgeway said he was “humbled” by the award.

“We nominated ourselves for the Queensland award, and we won, so we were asked to represent Queensland at the national awards in Melbourne,” he said.

A handful of other Gold Coast eateries were also recognised in the Restaurant and Catering Australia awards with silver and bronze medals including California Cantina at Isle of Capri, Indian Empire in Runaway Bay, Glass Dining & Lounge Bar in Main Beach, The Loose Moose Tap & Grill House at Broadbeach and Shuck in Main Beach.

Mr Ridgeway said Gold Coasters were moving away from casual dining and gravitating towards fine dining.

“We do a lot of French and Italian dishes but give them a modern twist,” he said.

“Our most popular at the moment is probably the braised beef with handmade potato gnocchi.

“I think we’ve been through the ‘casual dining’ phase, and fine dining is becoming really popular again.

“Gold Coasters are willing to pay that bit more for guaranteed quality and service.”

Mr Ridgeway, of The Ridgeway Group, also owns five BiN restaurants, Rivea Italian at Pacific Fair and is opening a rooftop bar called Gotham at Runaway Bay next year.

“When you step inside it will feel like you’re in Gotham City,” he said.

More of the Gold Coast’s fantastic fine food in tomorrow