Don Matheson reveals the three new eateries set to replace failed Hope Island restaurants

THREE Hope Island restaurants have sat empty since they were closed suddenly in April. But now a Gold Coast couple are set to open three new eateries at the site that was previously home to failed venues Tiffany’s, Manhattan on Hope and New York Restaurant Bar.

Three new restaurants are set to open at the Hope Island Shopping Centre that previously housed New York New York, Manhattan on Hope (formerly Joe’s Burgers) and Tiffany’s Cafe and Cocktails. Picture: Jerad Williams

NO your neighbours aren’t making it up — the new owners of a Hope Island restaurant site have been handing out free coffee to celebrate their highly anticipated plans for the venue.

Gold Coast couple Don and Sue Matheson have taken over the Hope Island premises that housed three popular restaurants that closed suddenly in April — New York New York, Manhattan on Hope (formerly Joe’s Burgers) and Tiffany’s Cafe and Cocktails.

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The Mathesons plan to open The Long Leaf Cafe and Wine Bar and a takeaway fish and chip shop in the next few weeks, with licensed steak and seafood restaurant, Hope Island Bluewater Grill, to follow.

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Sue Matheson (right) and her husband Don Matheson are opening three new venues at Hope Island including The Long Leaf Cafe. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“We’ve been giving away free coffee,” Mr Matheson told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

A property developer who founded CSG Group, Mr Matheson has spent the past eight years working in PNG, where he and a local family are partners in a coffee plantation in Goroka, in the Eastern Highlands Provence.

“The area is known for its production of arabica beans,” he said.

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The Hope Island premises that previously housed the failed Tiffany’s Cafe and Cocktails. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“The key is we’re really confident our coffee is a stand-alone coffee — you don’t have to blend it. Its characteristics make it unique.”

Hope Island Shopping Centre customers have been taste-testing the brew this week, with barista James Babington handing out free coffees — the first time the Long Leaf beans have been served in Australia.

Randall McFie owned the three restaurants which collapsed. Photo by Richard Gosling

“We’ll serve it in The Long Leaf Cafe and Wine Bar, which will do specialty breakfast and lunch and sunset champagne and cocktails with a tapas menu.”

Mr Matheson said the premises’ shared kitchen would be rebuilt.

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“It’s just not functional the way it is. We’re putting in far better equipment so we can get what we want out of it,” he said.

He said the steak and seafood restaurant space was also being refurbished.

“We’re adding a nice red wine cabinet so you can see the quality of the wine,” he said.

The Long Leaf Cafe at Hope Island has been handing out free coffees ahead of its official launch in the next few weeks. Barista James Babington. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We’ve appointed our head chef, Brendan Reardon, who was previously at Fin’s (at Kingscliff).

“There will be a real emphasis on fresh seafood daily with a Japanese chef preparing fish. “People will be able to select their fish and have it grilled or prepared from there.

The Long Leaf Cafe at Hope Island are currently handing out free coffees ahead of their official launch in a couple of weeks. Betty Quinn and Sue Matheson receiving coffees from barista James Babington. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We’re turning the burger bar back into a fish and chip bar which is what families in the area want.

“The great thing is talented people — we have a talented barista and a reputable chef. They’re the backbone of what we’re putting together.”

The Long Leaf Cafe is one of three new restaurants set to open in a site at Hope Island that previously housed three failed eateries. Picture: Jerad Williams

The new venues are welcome news for the local community after 40 people lost their jobs when owner Pacific Vanuatu Holdings Pty Ltd shut the New York New York, Manhattan on Hope and Tiffany’s Cafe and Cocktails restaurants in April.

Documents filed with ASIC revealed the restaurants were languishing in debt when they closed.

The documents, filed by administrator Roland Robson, showed Pacific Vanuatu Holdings’ debt included a $38,000 credit card bill with ANZ and $8621 in holiday pay owed to workers.

Staff were also owed more than $14,000 in entitlements.