Restaurant owners on the Gold Coast spill their celebrity encounters

GOLD Coast restaurant owners spill on what the celebrities are really like when they wine and dine at local eateries, and what their favourite foods are.

Orlando Bloom enjoying coffee at Elk Espresso with minder and personal trainer.

MARGOT Robbie enjoyed puff pastries, Hugh Jackman requested extra bacon and Orlando Bloom ordered the same salad every day for a month. Gold Coast restaurant owners have spilled on what the celebrities are really like when they wine and dine at local eateries.

Hospitality workers have become increasingly used to serving A-list stars, with the Gold Coast becoming a Hollywood playground on the back of blockbuster films being made here.

While some restaurants have strict protocols when it comes to talking about high-profile guests, others think it’s part of the humble charm of the Coast to get excited, snap a selfie and tell everyone of their encounter with movie royalty.

Margot Robbie (centre) drops in at Elk Espresso during her brief return home to the Gold Coast.

Owner of Burleigh’s Paddock Bakery and Bam Bam Bakehouse in Mermaid Beach Ursula Watts said she hadn’t briefed her staff on “celebrity rules” – and still refuses to do so.

“We probably should have a protocol but we don’t,” she laughed.

“Our staff are good, down-to-earth real people and depending on what they’re like, celebrities really take to that.

“If they don’t, we won’t be sorry for who we are.

“We are friendly to everyone.

Orlando Bloom enjoying coffee at Elk Espresso with minder and personal trainer.

“Hugh Jackman was amazing. We just had to approach him for a photo and he goes: ‘Sure, I love Paddock and I love selfies!’

“I felt a little sorry for Margot Robbie because everyone was just staring at her, she’s so beautiful – in person even more so. But she was a great sport. She definitely loved the pastries.”

The owner of Little Truffle, a fine-dining restaurant in Mermaid, said it was against their protocol to talk about celebrities.

Daniel Ridgeway said his staff treated celebs as equals – even though they immediately offered them the private dining room.

The Fish House owner Simon Gloftis at the GCTC with Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips.

“We want them to enjoy themselves and to be honest, they almost always take up the private dining room,” he said.

“The only exception was Hugh Jackman – you can often tell what someone’s personality is like and he was so open and friendly.

“I told him my wife thought I was better looking and he said: ‘Well, let’s settle the score and send her a photo of us together then.’

“The rest of the time it’s business as usual.

“We play it cool and leave them alone – that’s our policy.”

Andrew Whiting, owner of trendy cafe Elk Espresso in Broadbeach, was flattered when Orlando Bloom dropped by every day for more than a month during filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

“He had the breakfast salad every day – he was obsessed with it,” Mr Whiting said.

“He even asked our staff for the recipe so he could get his chef to make it.

Rolling Stones member Ronnie Woods arriving at The Fish House in Burleigh. Photo: David Clark

“He really was a lovely guy.

“We all couldn’t really believe it when he walked in but we tried to play it cool.”

Mr Whiting said his staff generally treated everyone the same but sometimes the excitement that came with celebrity visitors was too much.

“If there is an opportunity to get a snap with them and they allow it, we’ll approach them,” he said.

“You’ve just got to read the situation – if there’s heaps of bodyguards or something you can probably tell it won’t go well – but to be honest there’s never been a problem with anyone who’s come in.

“Zara Phillips was friendly and approachable as well as Margot Robbie, who was a regular even while she was on Neighbours.”

Simon Gloftis, owner of The Fish House and Hellenika, said high-profile guests, such as Rolling Stones band member Ronnie Woods, felt at home at his restaurants.

“While I choose never to comment on individuals, I feel very honoured to have so many amazing faces and personalities come to The Fish House,” he said.

“I think maybe they feel comfortable coming because we have a strict no social media policy, along with no photos, autographs, or any conversation that relates to their private lives.”