Who is the real (hospitality) king of Bondi? Terzini, Hemmes, Moran take on new players in battle for the beach
Icebergs is just the tip of the battle for tastebuds at Bondi. Big names Maurice Terzini, Justin Hemmes and Matt Moran are going head-to-head with new players like Jon Adgemis.
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Who is the real (hospitality) king of Bondi?
Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand has once again become a hospitality battleground with the city’s biggest, and most high profile, restaurateurs and chefs all in fierce competition to have the most sought after venue in the area.
Much of this has happened while one of the most famous eateries, Icebergs, has been closed for seven months for extensive renovations.
The Maurice Terzini owned restaurant will reopen on Wednesday, on its 20th anniversary and will host a breakfast on Tuesday morning to mark it’s sustained success. However while the restaurant has been closed, its competitors have been very active.
A new Greek restaurant, Topikos, opened in April by restaurateur Brett Robinson and The Point Group.
The group are behind the CBD’s popular Shell House and Surry Hill’s pub The Dolphin.
A few weeks ago, due to demand, they opened up a new bar and launched a Sundays in Summer music and food line up.
That caught the attention of Terzini, who has worked with Robinson at The Dolphin.
Terzini called out on Instagram Topikos’s summer music line up, saying, “Original idea Original line up. Let’s Go.”
Asked about his competition, Terzini said “it’s been pumping.”
“A lot of venues used our narratives. I get EDM (newsletters) and I feel like I’m reading my own EDM. But that’s all right, I get pissed off but move on. There are lots of venues in Bondi, but only one Icebergs.”
Celebrity chef Matt Moran has also given North Bondi Fish a glow up, firstly installing a takeover by Kepos Street Kitchen, then adding a Sunday Sessions event as well as Beach Club for Summer.
Meanwhile, CBD players House Made Hospitality, who are behind multi-level venue Hinchcliff House, are about to move into the area having won the competitive tender for the offering at Bondi Pavilion after it’s undergone an extensive renovation.
The group’s offering which is set to open imminently will take the place of The Point group’s former venue Bucket List, who are rumoured to have been part of the tender process.
Director Scott Brown said for his group, winning the tender felt a bit like the moment Sydney had been given the Olympics.
“Bondi is probably one of the best communities we have in Sydney because of the quality of customers, of the food and beverage and the beautiful area. You’ve got high end like Icebergs but we want to offer something that is high quality in a relaxed environment. We will offer something for everyone, no matter what time of day, what price point and what age group,” he said.
Meanwhile Public Hospitality Group are about to unveil their offering for the famous beach after founder Jon Adgemis bought Noah’s Backpackers for $68 million after months of negotiations in June.
It follows Public’s push to become the most dominant pub owners in Sydney’s, challenging Justin Hemmes’ Merivale and The Laundy Group for the title.
Of course Hemmes also has a stake in Bondi, with his eternally successful Totti’s at The Royal Hotel.
If that wasn’t enough, other big name culinary players in the area include former Icebergs chef Orazio D’Elia has his Da Orazio restaurant, Sean Moran has his stalwart Sean’s while Darren Robertson also has Rocker, Bondi.
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