New on the menu
There’s a fresh name for an old favourite, and something exciting in the works for Gemelli fans, writes Chantay Logan
THERE’D be many a local foodie with fond memories from Surfers stalwart Benihana – from smoking onion volcanoes, to copping a prawn in the eye trying to catch a meal thrown by the notorious teppan tricksters.
Marking the end of the era, the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa restaurant has been officially reopened as Misono Japanese Steakhouse. General manager Neeraj Chadha says they’re moving away from the American branding of the past 22 years to forge a distinctively Gold Coast identity.
While there are new menus to match, the fundamentals of fun and interactivity are still thriving under head chef Henry Bongay.
“Cooking on a teppan creates a beautiful grilled taste as we sear the meats and vegetables to perfection while maintaining all the juice and flavours,” Henry says.
“It is also the perfect stage from which our teppan masters can create their magic.”
Banquets are the best way to go here, with highlights including GMO, hormone and antibiotic free wagyu beef from southeast Australia.
“Cherry Blossom is one of our signature banquets that features wagyu beef alongside large prawns, scallops, bug meat and teriyaki fish in a paper bag served with hibachi chicken rice,” Henry says.
Wash it down with something from the extensive sake list, or a Samurai Kiss cocktail combining sake, strawberry liqueur, Malibu, passionfruit, muddled lime, strawberries, apple and cranberry juice. THE boys from Broadbeach restaurant Gemelli are on a serious roll. After taking out Gold Coast Bulletin readervoted honours for Best Pizza and Best Italian, they’ve announced they’ll be opening a new eatery at Nobby Beach.
Co-owner Paul Carney says work is well underway on Gemellini, which means “the little twin”.
“Our pizza oven arrives from Italy in two weeks and we’re finalising the floorplan with the architect,” he says.
“The fitout will be something a bit different to
Gemelli’s signature pizzas will also star at Gemellini. what’s on the Coast at the moment.”
The intimate space will have Melbourne cocktail-bar vibes, seating 30-40 people.
A refined range of Gemelli’s signature woodfired pizzas will be represented, along with Italian street food and a big focus on meat and cheese boards.
“The wine list will always be changing, with really cool organic Italian wines and small producers – that’s my passion,” Paul says.
Simon Gloftis has picked up two hats for The Fish House. HATS off to the many worthy local restaurants who managed to keep theirs at last week’s Good Food Guide 2016 awards in Brisbane.
Simon Gloftis’ The Fish House at Burleigh Heads triumphed with two hats.
Allure on Currumbin, Kiyomi, Moo Moo Gold Coast, Ristorante Fellini, RockSalt, room81, Salt Grill, Seaduction, Social Eating House, Ten Japanese, Vanitas and Verve also did the Gold Coast proud, awarded one hat.