Gold Coast restaurants reopening: locals enjoy their first meals out after a long lockdown

‘We sold 80 per cent eggs benedicts’: After a long lockdown, Gold Coast locals are toasting to the relaxation of restrictions on hospitality with a fancy breakfast or lunch from top restaurants.

AFTER a long lockdown, Gold Coast locals are toasting to the relaxation of restrictions with a fancy breakfast or lunch from top restaurants.

Today marks the first day of stage one out of coronavirus lockdown for Queensland, with restaurants, clubs, pubs and cafes allowed to serve a maximum of 10 people at once.

Benowa Waters couple Wendy and Alistair Beattie were one of the lucky few to snap up a reservation at Edgewater Dining in Isle of Capri.

They dined on a three-course set menu with a view of the Nerang River and Surfers Paradise skyline.

Edgewater and The Fish Emporium have teamed up serve premium three course meals to 20 dinners for sittings for lunch and dinner. Wendy Beattie and Alistair Beattie. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“It was good timing for us because it was our anniversary. My wife, she did a really great job of getting somewhere for us to go,” Mr Beattie said.

“It was a little awkward when we first got here and you had to sign in and there wasn’t a lot of people here, but after a couple of glasses of wine you loosen up.

“(The food was) sensational, really good. The seafood risotto is my favourite dish, it’s always spot on. There’s nothing better than being down by the water to have some seafood.”

Fellow patron Matthew Gibbs was also celebrating with his family at Edgewater today.

“It was a birthday lunch for my mother. It was good, everyone was quite excited to be reopened,” he said.

Kaere Ballman, Matthew Gibbs and Maggie Gibbs. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Brunch hot spot Blackboard in Varsity Lakes was completely booked out of its one-hour sittings today, with locals taking advantage of the $30 a head deal of breakfast, coffee and a juice.

“It’s been so busy. We had a crazy day,” Blackboard owner Marc Kinvig said.

“We sold out the whole weekend.

“For today we just had to adjust what we’re doing — it’s definitely well worthwhile. For seven hours open, we made just short of $2,000.

“We’ll just keep going (as restrictions ease) from 10 people to 20, keep doing what we’re doing. It’s easy if you just roll with it — 10 is better than zero. We’re keen to get back to normal.”

Today has also seen hospitality heads supporting their rivals, with Double Barrel Kitchen owner Jess Winters dining out for lunch at Social Eating House in Broadbeach.

“It’s just nice to support our awesome other restaurants on the Coast, and not have to cook,” she said.

Frigg Cafe in Labrador was ready to launch its reopening plan weeks ago, today welcoming dozens of customers back in for its famous eggs Benedict.

Frigg Cafe at Labrador for Your Local Takeaway profile. Toula Scott holding a Cheesy Cheese Toastie. Picture: Jerad Williams

Owner Toula Scott said the restaurant followed strict guidelines set out by the state government to serve dine-in customers.

“We followed the COVID Sage plan, and we’ve done the social distancing sings on floors, a separate dine in entrance and takeaway entrance, we took away all the condiments — no salt and pepper, nothing on the table,” Ms Scott said.

“It was nice to get back and see people. People were very grateful and excited to eat. We sold 80 per cent eggs Benedict.”

Ms Scott said people had travelled from as far away as Ipswich and Logan to dine at Frigg, and the only authorities that graced the premises were a couple of thirsty coppers.

“We didn’t have any authorities come in to check. We did have local police guys come in for coffee.”