‘Stop teasing:’ Has beloved Mt Tamborine restaurant George’s Paragon quietly reopened?
Mt Tamborine locals have been sent into a frenzy over whispers that beloved restaurant George’s Paragon has quietly reopened on Gallery Walk after four years. But are the rumours true?
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It’s confirmed – George’s Paragon has reopened on Gallery Walk, delighting Mt Tamborine residents who had been eagerly awaiting the restaurant’s return after four years and taken to social media in a tizzy.
The speculation began Friday when local resident Janella Wieden posted to The Tamborine Community Facebook page: “Omg omg, did I just see George’s paragon (sic) is open again? Just drove past and lights on and doors open.”
Her post triggered an avalanche of excited responses from locals desperate for confirmation. “Someone confirm please, this is a BIG DEAL!” wrote Nicki Tait.
By Monday, eyewitness accounts emerged. Michael House reported seeing George himself “greeting people and seating them” during lunch service, while Julie Currey wrote: “Stop teasing … waiting waiting waiting … x”
Owner George Tassis is something of a mystery himself.
The restaurateur, who is notoriously difficult to pin down, has been a staple of the Gold Coast dining scene for decades.
Locals will recognise the white building on the Burleigh side of Tallebudgera Creek that has sat dormant for years – one of his original George’s Paragon locations that later became George’s Pizza Wine Bar.
When contacted Tuesday, restaurant worker Joseph, who chose not to give his surname, confirmed a “soft reopening” had occurred Friday following a temporary closure. He said the reason for their closure was they had “other projects to look into”.
“We had to open the Coolangatta restaurant,” he explained.
He confirmed the restaurant currently operates walk-in only, with bookings available for large groups.
“People are very happy we’re back open,” Joseph said.
One diner who said he ate at the restaurant on Monday wrote on Facebook: “Incredibly (sic) George met us at the door and informed us that he only opened just two days ago and, after being closed for four years, without advertising, and the place is nearly full for lunch.”
George’s Paragon now operates four Gold Coast locations: Sanctuary Cove, Burleigh Heads, Mt Tamborine and Coolangatta.
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Originally published as ‘Stop teasing:’ Has beloved Mt Tamborine restaurant George’s Paragon quietly reopened?
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