First look: Inside Gambaro’s new Gold Coast restaurant

Hospitality family the Gambaros have revealed a sneak peek inside their new oceanfront, Mediterranean restaurant.

After 70 years in hospitality in Brisbane, the Gambaro family are promising a completely new experience for diners when they open their first food establishments on the Gold Coast at the end of the month.

The clan, known for their eponymous Petrie Terrace seafood restaurant and Black Hide steakhouses, will launch two new venues at Coolangatta – cafe Awaken and restaurant Pipi’s, with a deli to follow next year.

John Gambaro is ready to open his Mediterranean-inspired restaurant called Pipi's at Pt Danger, Coolangatta. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“We’ve been looking for strategic locations on the Coast with fantastic views and, observing the population growth from Burleigh upwards, we thought it was the right time to expand to the Gold Coast,” said John Gambaro, with the eateries to slot into the first two floors of the new ocean-facing, multimillion-dollar Awaken Rainbow Bay development by S&S Projects.

To show the family means business in their new location, they have hired head chef Thomas Boisselier, who has worked in three-Michelin-starred restaurants in France, to oversee both waterfront eateries.

The ocean facing dining room at Pipi’s. Picture: Glenn Hampson

At Pipi’s he will be turning out a contemporary menu inspired by coastal Italy, France and Spain, using charcoal and wood-fired grills and new cooking techniques.

“We want to do something we’ve never done before and give the diners down there a whole new taste sensation,” Mr Gambaro said.

That means everything from swordfish skewers and Australian White lamb cutlets with eggplant caviar to Mooloolaba prawns with mussel dressing and specialty steaks. There will also be the likes of caviar bumps with a shot of Belvedere vodka or glass of Taittinger champagne, plus a signature seafood platter.

Pipi’s oceanfront private dining room. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Also new to the Gold Coast will be the family’s coveted knife ambassador program, with loyal customers to receive their own custom-made knife from craftsman David Brodziak that will be displayed in a special cabinet inside Pipi’s.

Meanwhile, cafe Awaken is to provide a more relaxed all-day offering for people to walk off the beach in their bikinis and boardshorts and enjoy everything from a burger to bakery goods.

“We’ll bake a lot of fresh stuff, and in the cabinets we’ll have things like gourmet sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls, and a salad bar with takeaway,” Mr Gambaro said.

“We really want to have a fresh healthy component, with things like fresh juices and acai bowls to target the health-conscious locals.”

Pipi’s is scheduled to open on February 28, with Awaken to follow on March 11.