Simon Gloftis to launch to new vegetarian passion project

Simon Gloftis’ venues are some of the most popular in Queensland, but now the restaurateur is set to shock with the launch of a controversial new eatery that’s been five years in the making.

His Brisbane restaurants Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster are booked out every night of the week, now Simon Gloftis is set to open his dream eatery – a venture five years in the making.

“I really want people to know that this is a passion project for me. It’s costing me more than what I’ll make,” he said.

The cheerily named Sunshine will open along the trendy James St in Fortitude Valley, taking over the former Chow House site just a zucchini chip flick from his other two restaurants at the glamorous Calile Hotel.

But this won’t be like anything the restaurateur has done before.

Drawing its moniker from its ambition to deliver “sunshine on a plate”, the eatery will controversially be a fast-casual venture specialising in vegetarian and vegan Mediterranean fare that’s available for dine in or take away. Here guests will simply order at the counter, filling either a half or full plate (or container for takeaway) from a feast of cabinet options running from rice stuffed tomatoes and zucchinis to olive oil baked potatoes and Greek salad.

“It’s healthy, you can eat it every day, it’s what I cook at home for myself,” Mr Gloftis said, with the venue to use the same top-notch ingredients as at his other two restaurants, including tomatoes grown specifically for Hellenika.

Restaurateur Simon Gloftis outside the old Chow House site where his new restaurant Sunshine will open. Picture: John Gass

“We’re putting the best produce on a plate. It’s not going to be cheap and I don’t want it to be because I want it to be the quality it deserves.”

The menu is based on the Mediterranean diet and will feature nutritious but hearty meat-free cuisine with the likes of vegetable moussaka, chickpea soup, bean salads and baked dishes. It will also star his signature of “restorative greens” containing wilted spinach, mustard greens and dandelion he is so proud of he even bought a special machine just to wash the vegetables for it.

“It’s not a vegetarian restaurant it’s just a restaurant that doesn’t happen to have meat. You’re not going to feel like you’re missing anything here,” Mr Gloftis said.

And it certainly won’t be all healthy, with a cabinet dedicated to luscious Mediterranean desserts such as bougatsa, walnut cake, Turkish delight and more.

While the 80-seater is being built for take away, with customers able to purchase large trays of food for family dinners or events, it will also offer a relaxed and charming dine-in experience with a fit-out designed by Brisbane architects Hogg & Lamb. Inspired by Mykonos, the open space will feature rock walls, muted tones of brown and white and a dramatic yellow awning.

Those dining in will also be treated to an impressive global wine list suited to everyone from the oenophile to the unfastidious, with all drops well matched to the food.

Spritzes and margaritas will be a focus of the bright, light and concise cocktail offering; while teetotallers are well catered to with fresh juices and lemonade, kombucha, cold pressed coffee and more.

Mr Gloftis will be completely in charge of the menu at Sunshine but he has also brought in SK partners executive chef Kelvin Andrews to run the kitchen, and Theo Kampolis to manage the front of house, to ensure the venture is a success.

“[This venue] it’s in my blood, it’s in my bones, I want this to work. This is going to be a fixture on James St for a really long time,” Mr Gloftis said.

Construction is due to begin soon with the opening planned for the end of October.