A liquidator’s report has revealed the extent of debts owed by Seafood restaurant Gods of the Sea at Marina Mirage

A liquidator has revealed the extent of debts owed by a well-known Gold Coast fine dining restaurant, and why it went into liquidation. FULL LIST OF CREDITORS:

Fine dining restaurant Gods of the Sea borrowed almost $100,000 from “family or friends” before it went into liquidation, a new report has revealed.

In his first report to creditors, liquidator Matthew Bookless of SV Partners said the restaurant, which traded via company Mantra Restaurant Group, owed more than $92,000 in tax and almost $60,000 in employee entitlements and was potentially trading while insolvent.

Other unsecured creditors, including a commercial laundering company, payday loan companies, seafood and wine providers are owed more than $150,000 between them.

Tradies who worked on the expensive fit-out of the waterfront Marina Mirage restaurant more than a year ago are also still waiting for payment – including an electrical company and furniture supplier. Electrical, gas and legal fees are also outstanding.

The company behind the restaurant, which was directed by chef John Nurminen and Warren Lucas, went into liquidation on February 15.

The restaurant had moved to Marina Mirage, in the space previously occupied by Ribs and Rumps, in December 2021 after launching at Nobby Beach earlier that year.

Mr Bookless said the restaurant had stock and equipment worth around $12,000 which would be sent for auction.

The report said there were unlikely to be any funds available for unsecured creditors once the costs of the liquidation and payments to secured creditors were satisfied.

Gods of the Sea at Marina Mirage in liquidation

February 22, 2023: A sharp decline in patronage is being blamed for the failure of a fine dining restaurant that collapsed owing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Seafood noshery Gods of the Sea was operated by Southport man Warren Lucas and award-winning chef Jon Nurminen, who made a name as head chef of once-revered Burleigh Heads eatery Fish House.

The company which traded the restaurant, Mantra Restaurant Group went into liquidation on February 15, with Matthew Bookless of SV Partners appointed liquidator.

Mr Lucas, 51 and Mr Nurminen, 30 were both directors and equal shareholders in the company, which was set up in July 2021.

John Nurminen and Warren Lucas of Gods of the Sea. Photo: Good Food Gold Coast

Gods of the Sea was launched by Light Years co-owner Stevie Filipovic and Three Blue Ducks partner Jeff Bennett at Nobby Beach in April 2021, but changed hands that July.

It moved to Marina Mirage, in the space previously occupied by Ribs and Rumps, in December that year.

This week, while an abandoned A-frame sign still pointed towards the former restaurant, it was deserted, with its chairs and tables gone.

While it was operating, Gods of the Sea enjoyed consistent high online ratings from customers and was awarded coveted chef’s hats for two years.

An empty restaurant, without tables and chairs, and a left out sign are all that remains of Gods of the Sea at Marina Mirage. Picture: Glenn Hampson

An empty restaurant, without tables and chairs, and a left out sign are all that remains of Gods of the Sea at Marina Mirage. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Bookless said the directors had advised the failure of the restaurant was due to a slower-than-expected Christmas trading period.

“Seemingly the tourist numbers were not as high as they had expected,” he said.

“It seems they had traded well during much of Covid but, in the past six months or so, they weren’t seeing the number of patrons that they had historically seen.”

Popular seafood restaurant Gods of the Sea of Marina Mirage, formerly of Nobby Beach, is in liquidation.

The liquidator said early indications showed the company had debts around $400,000, including around $90,000 in outstanding tax, around $50,000 owed to employees and hundreds of thousands more owed to unsecured creditors including suppliers.

The Bulletin has attempted to contact the directors for comment.

Acclaimed chef Jon Nurminen with some kingfish to be served on opening day in 2021. Picture: Glenn Hampson

When Gods of the Sea moved from Nobby’s, Mr Nurminen said it was because the pair wanted the business to grow.

“(Nobbys) was a nice place to start, but we’re looking forward to getting into something a bit bigger,” he said at the time.

“As a seafood restaurant it’s always a nice aspect and certainly been a goal to have a waterfront location.

“The demographic of our customers are either usually already living in Main Beach or (on) a particular holiday in the Sheraton or Palazzo Versace.”