BACK TO THE BASICS

You can finally stop searching for a decent parmy — classic pub fare is making a comeback at Paradise Point, writes Amber Macpherson

IN an upscale Gold Coast suburb, a newly opened restaurant and bar just wants to give the community “a good drink and a feed”.

Surrounded by luxury canal homes and lavish lifestyles, The Local in Paradise Point serves up classic pub fare.

“I wanted to create a place where the locals can come out and have a drink and have a good feed — nothing too crazy or expensive,” owner Natalie Perry says.

“Around this area there’s a lot of Asian and Italian restaurants.

“There’s nowhere you can get a steak or a good parmy. Some of that traditional style food at a good, affordable price. The Local is like a gastropub.

“We’ve done the fit out a little bit nicer — it’s a different offering for the area.”

The community has welcomed the new addition, which has already become a regular spot for family dinners and a packed-out weekend watering hole.

“It’s a real mixture of the young families, the older retiree couples, a couple of yuppies … it’s a real mix of clientele,” Natalie says.

“We’re trying to do something that meets everyone’s needs. It (the restaurant) changed hands a couple of times in the past year. I think everyone’s always tried to go a bit too high-end.

“We’ve got a lot of that in this area already. It just needed something more casual and laid-back where you can duck down and have a quick feed and go home.”

The key to its success could be the food and drink specials offered most nights, served to an indoor and outdoor dining area.

Monday is a burger and beer for $20, a trio of tacos for $15 on Tuesdays, four-person family pasta and garlic bread night on Wednesdays for $50, and a giant parmigiana and house drink for $25 on Thursdays.

“The pasta night is popular — $50 for a big bowl of pasta and a couple of soft drinks and wine,” Natalie says.

“On parmy night, the parmy is basically the size of a plate.

“We do have a good mix of people on a Friday night in the bar, then we’ve got families sitting outside having their meals. Inside it’s a bit more like a bar — high tables, comfy stools with back rests. There’s big booth seats and an impressive bar with a whole heap of really amazing spirits. It’s a really relaxed, inviting feel.

“In part of the dining area you look straight out across the Broadwater. Outside it’s very much alfresco dining style, trying to create that tapas restaurant feel.”

The specials’ menu is a mix of seafood, beef and vegetarian options, share plates and finger food.

“We do wagyu beef, we do a few different beef and steak options,” Natalie says.

“We’ve got the pork belly bao buns, and a ginger-beerbattered snapper.

“We also have a couple of good vegan options.

“Our menu’s split up where we’ve got grazing plates and tapas, and then we do have our full menu option.

“Coconut lollipop prawns basically stand straight up on the board and they’re crazy popular. The baked whole camembert is walnut crusted and it comes with dips.”

The Local is open daily from 11.30am until late at 44 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

“ON PARMY NIGHT, THE PARMY IS BASICALLY THE SIZE OF A PLATE.”