Your first look at Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar Runaway Bay

HOLY cow Gold Coast! We’ve got the first look at Daniel Ridgeway’s Gotham themed Runaway Bay venue: Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar.

Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar, the newest venue from Daniel Ridgeway.

THIS Runaway Bay restaurant project has been shrouded in mystery, but we’ve got your first look at Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar before it opens on March 17.

Four years in the making, the three-tiered Manhattan-style landmark will feature two restaurants and bars under the same roof and is touted as The Ridgeway Group’s most ambitious project to date.

Restaurant royalty Daniel Ridgeway is opening his biggest project yet. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The northern Gold Coast was the next frontier,” says prolific restaurateur Daniel Ridgeway, the creator of Little Truffle, Rivea and the BiN series of venues.

“We needed to do something a little different to meet the needs of this locale and as such we have combined stylish dining with a casual rooftop bar … all under the same roof.

“A little bit of the Big Apple has arrived on the Gold Coast and we cannot wait to unveil Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar.”

Overlooking the Biggera Creek inlet, the extravagant fit-out focuses on decadent 1920s art deco styling.

This is the artist’s impression of the finished product.

A red velvet carpet will lead diners up a winding staircase to the twinkling skylights of the Gotham Rooftop, while rich wooden panelling, geometric light fittings and splashes of gold pay homage to New York’s Chrysler Building.

Level two is home to Gotham Grill, led by chef-owner Daniel Ridgeway and head chef Alex Kavanaugh.

Seating up to 60 guests, it is modelled on a high-end American steakhouse where the who’s who will dine on a succulent steak selection from across Australia and New Zealand coupled with an exquisite array of cold seafood; including freshly shucked oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, scallop ceviche served on the shell, lobster tails and more.

Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar will have the same high standard of Ridgeway cocktails. This is the Fruit Bat.

If you can’t choose, splash out on the signature Gotham Seafood Tower.

“Aside from top notch produce and cuisine, Gotham Grill will also offer a well-balanced beverage list,” Daniel says.

“We are also proud to offer a great back vintage list with notable rare wines from the Barossa Valley and beyond.”

And this is Alfred’s Tonic.

The final destination is the Gotham Rooftop Bar where guests can unwind in a relaxed indoor-outdoor setting with sundowner cocktails including the famed Fruit Bat libation or Alfred’s Tonic.

Some of Daniel’s favourites from the bar menu include the Gotham city pizza with its thick base, Napoli, pepperoni and loads of mozzarella; the more-ish lobster rolls and the southern fried chicken burger with spicy mayo and a brioche bun.