The Arc at Nobbys unveils a new look and new menu with plenty of meat

THE new owner of a popular central Gold Coast eatery has unveiled a new menu which will be heaven to local carnosaurs. Here’s what’s on offer at this much-loved beachside institution.

The Arc at Nobbys. Picture: Jerad Williams

VEGETARIANS, avert your gaze. The much-loved Nobby Beach institution Nobbys Arc has reopened as The Arc at Nobbys, and new owner Shonel Alloway makes no apologies for the meat-heavy menu.

“The majority of our menu is meat related,” Shonel explains.

“We’re sixth generation Gold Coasters and our great-grandfather used to own all the slaughteryards at Parkwood and Arundel.

“We grew up in a butchery … we just wanted to bring that back.”

The Arc at Nobbys. Owner Shonel Alloway. Picture: Jerad Williams

Much like its indifference to herbivores, rather than keep Nobbys Arc exactly as the locals feverishly adored it, Shonel says it’s undergone a transformation.

“It’s a completely new fit out, all new cocktails, all new beers, all new wine, it’s a whole new menu,” Shonel says.

“(Nobby’s Arc) was such an institution. We’re all human and change is such a big thing.

“But I think once everybody comes down and sees all the changes, they’ll think it’s just more of what the Gold Coast is about and what Nobby’s was about.

The Arc at Nobbys. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The dining scene has changed here and I think it’s time we caught up with that. It’s a little hub of really good restaurants.”

In a renovation like that of a reality television show, Shonel says her team had 10 days to refurbish the dining room.

Beetroot chips. Picture: Jerad Williams

Playing on the ark theme, Shonel says guests can expect an interior boasting biblical decor with life-size giraffe statues, hanging monkeys and feathered wallpaper.

As for the food, slow-cooked morsels of meat will take centrestage on main plates, translated to staple ingredients on burgers, pizzas and tapas.

“We’ve got braised beef cheeks, lamb shoulder, we’ve got a beef short rib which has been slow cooked, pork belly, then we’ve also got a sirloin steak,” Shonel says.

Braised lamb shoulder. Picture: Jerad Williams

“A lot of those will carry on to our pizzas, burgers and nachos. Our burgers are really … well, you have to get in there and get messy to eat them.

“The chef took everything off (the Nobby’s Arc menu) and started again.

“The way we’ve designed it is there’s pizzas, small plates of tapas and large plates.

“We use the local butcher down at Nobby Beach and they use all hormone-free meat.”

Espresso Martini. Picture: Jerad Williams

As the owner of Forreal Kitchen next door to Nobby’s Arc, Shonel says it was always in her game plan to take over the night-life haunt.

“It was always in our vision to own next door,” Shonel says.

“Forreal Kitchen is such a cafe scene, but we love that night-time service.

“And we are local — I live in Mermaid. It’s a good thing that it’s right down the street.”

Some elements of the old venue have survived the transformation — all the front of house staff are the same, drink and meal deals will be on offer most days, and the music will play on.

Bacon and Brussels sprout. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We are keeping comedy night, which is Wednesday,” Shonel says.

“Every night we have happy hour, which is special deals every afternoon from 3pm and 6pm.

“Again, everyone is so local in Nobby, there’s lots of reason to make it affordable.

“We’ve still got the live music, we’ve got some world-class DJs playing here.

“We’ve got Furphy Fridays based around the beer, and spritzers on our menu.

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Damselftly spritzer. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The Gold Coast is all about summer, we’re leading up to that now that it’s starting to get warmer, so we’ll have Big Sunday sessions.

“We’ve kept the floor staff and we’re very service orientated.

“It’s progression. If people do give us a chance, I think they’ll love it.”

The Arc at Nobbys, 4/28 Chairlift Avenue, Nobby Beach