EASTER GOODIES
CITY’S BEST TREATS
THEY say great things take time and Bar Hellenika, the mammoth second storey addition to Nobby Beach’s beloved Hellenika, certainly proves the adage.
From Simon Gloftis, a man who hardly needs an introduction after founding not only Hellenika but also The Fish House and Nineteen Rooftop Bar at The Star, comes the realisation of a dream that spanned nearly a decade.
“Basically Bar Hellenika has been eight years in the making,” he says.
“When I first opened Hellenika I couldn’t get approval then the new town plan came through and this is it.
“Hellenika has always been my baby, you know. It’s always been a dream of mine.”
While adding the rooftop was no small feat, Simon hopes the stylish, European-feel bar, complete with white marble everything, white French Fermob furniture and retractable roof, will enhance an area close to his heart.
“I want to add to Nobby Beach, not detract. I’ve got a lot of regulars in the area and I live here – it’s my favourite suburb on the GC,” he says.
“I want to make sure we add something really nice and not put something there that doesn’t belong here and that’s what it’s about; making sure all the locals are happy, comfortable and relaxed.”
It shouldn’t be a hard task to unwind perched in the open air overlooking the bustling streets as you sip an expertly selected vino.
Make it the main event or a pre-dinner perk. “We’ve put a beautiful drinks list together for Bar Hellenika but you can take from the wine list downstairs as well, so there are 500 wines to choose from,” Simon says.
“What’s really important is people can go up there if they arrive early for dinner.
“Come half an hour early, have a drink, relax and wait for the main course.
“There are no bookings, it’s all walk-ins and relaxed, but we will have a dress code enforced.”
Light bites are also an option, with a selection of Hellenika’s neater eats available on the rooftop and, while you’d be a fool to pass up downstairs’ iconic Junee lamb, the snacks are just as drool-worthy.
“It’s a small menu, all the smaller stuff from the downstairs menu — zucchini chips, saganaki, the Greek salad,” Simon says.
“You can’t go past zucchini chips and a drink on the roof. I reckon we’ll be a zucchini chip factory when it gets going.
“I told the chefs they’ll be dreaming about zucchini chips. So it’ll be all small items. Just enough to have a light snack.”
With Bar Hellenika opening to the public yesterday and Nineteen last Saturday, Simon Gloftis is one tired man.
While he plans to let the dust settle and catch up on sleep, no doubt there will be another project in the works in no time.
“I’m tired, I’m nervous, I’ve felt like crying 100 times, but I do this to myself every time,” he laughs. “I sort of only realised after I sold The Fish House that I do want a life in hospitality.
“I’m meticulous in my planning but it sets up the future, it provides longevity. I don’t want to be cool one day and gone the next. My venues are going to be around for 100 years.”
Bar Hellenika, upstairs from the newly refurbished Hellenika, 2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach