Revamped Mermaid Beach Tavern re-opens with new multimillion-dollar facelift
A beloved city icon is welcoming guests back through its doors following a year-long closure to unveil its multimillion-dollar facelift. SEE THE PICTURES >>>
Lifestyle
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A BELOVED city icon is welcoming guests back through its doors following a year-long closure to unveil its multimillion-dollar facelift.
Mermaid Beach Tavern sat idle along Gold Coast Highway as major works to modernise the historic venue – which was first opened as a McDonald’s in 1975 – got underway.
The Bulletin revealed April last year that plans had been submitted to Gold Coast City Council detailing a revamped bar and bistro area and the removal of the rooftop terrace as well as its VIP Cabana lounge area.
Long gone is the venue’s white and yellow facade, instead replaced with an eye-catching timber exterior to mirror its new interior.
JDA Hotels, owned and operated by publican John Feros, is behind the newly renovated pub and says he plans to honour Mermaid Tavern’s 21-year legacy – with a modern twist.
“It’s been a difficult road with Covid, but we couldn’t be happier with the end result. Our intent was to offer great food, drink and customer service for everyone,” Mr Feros said.
Designer Paul Kelly said the tavern was still the “comfortable, casual, family-friendly pub” – fit with a new kid’s play area – that the community remembered.
“The fundamental idea was to bring new life to the past, with our concept being a reinterpretation of a jewellery box,” Mr Kelly explained.
The smoking terrace has since been removed while a greenery-filled courtyard space has been installed with its very own skylight. Meanwhile the new sports bar and VIP gaming lounge fit outs pay homage to the sophisticated 1950s era – inspired by Palm Springs.
“The internal experience was to ensure there was a strong connection to the outside environment, with natural sun light and air flow enticed to penetrate,” Mr Kelly said.
Former Bam Bam Bakehouse head chef Peter Buchel told the Bulletin his menu would feature all the favourite pub classics: “We’re all about heart, honest cooking, ensuring that the basics are done well,” he said.
Opening day for sister-venue of famed Fish House
September 8, 2021
A WELL-KNOWN Gold Coast restaurateur will swing open the doors of his newest venture on Wednesday night at Currumbin.
Tom Torchut will open Tommy’s Italian on Pacific Parade for dining after launching the restaurant’s takeaway menu on Monday.
Mr Torchut previously ran Gemelli Italian, Arc Dining and Eleven Rooftop Bar.
A post on the Tommy’s Italian Facebook page promises “hand-stretched pizzas with sauce so good you’d think it came straight from Italy”.
The restaurant announced bookings have now opened.
Inside the waterfront sister-venue of famed Fish House
August 29: A Gold Coast suburb has been abuzz in recent weeks as construction of the Glitter Strip’s newest waterfront venue nears completion.
Restaurateur Tom Torchut, who previously ran Gemelli Italian, Arc Dining and Eleven Rooftop Bar, has teamed up with Fish House owner Ronnie Tarabay to bring Tommy’s Italian to Pacific Parade at Currumbin.
Due to open its doors September 8, the 120-seat trattoria will cater to eager breakfast, lunch, and dinner crowds at the former home of The Beach Shack – a site overlooking the shimmering sea since the 1920s.
“We looked everywhere on the southern Gold Coast. It was hard to find a good spot, but when this came up it was perfect,” Mr Torchut said, noting the area’s minimal restaurant scene.
It will be joined in good company by popular cafe The Salt Mill, Barefoot Barista and Currumbin Vikings SLSC located just down the road.
“We don’t want to bring a loud bar. We want good food, good wine and good times. It will really complement the area – we’ve had massive support from the locals so far.”
Featuring across its menus will be Tommy’s twist on a traditional Bacon and Egg roll; sliced to order mortadella, smoked mozzarella and fried egg roll with tomato relish. It will also boast a one kilogram T-bone to share with friends, wood-fired pizzas and either pesto or truffle-filled burrata.
“It’s all about giving the right kind of twist on some food. Everyone has burrata on their menus these days but let’s just see how we can push it and make it our own.”
While Mr Torchut is adamant on providing a unique product, the French national says it was insight from the former owner which helped inspire some of the modifications to the venue.
“I actually asked the last owner about what I could do to help improve the place and he said if he could do it over again that he would have a takeaway window,” he said.
“We want people coming off the beach to be able to access the venue with their dogs, if they’re sandy off the beach so downstairs will look like more of a cafe with a bar in the middle. Everyone is welcome.”
Though Fish House has for now closed its Burleigh location, Mr Torchut confirmed the search for the venue’s new home had commenced.
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