Best Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast: Domanis Cafe Restaurant Bar, Main Beach

A Main Beach restaurant has been voted the city’s best Italian restaurant by Gold Coast Bulletin readers after only three months of trading under new owners. HOW THEY DID IT >>>

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A MAIN Beach restaurant has been voted the city’s best Italian restaurant by Gold Coast Bulletin readers after only three months of trading under new owners.

Domanis Cafe Restaurant Bar, at 1/19-21 Tedder Ave, Main Beach, was recently taken over by the Kaz family after more than 20 years under the same name.

Domanis secured 21 per cent of the votes in the Best of Italian competition, ahead of Balboa Italian Restaurant Palm Beach (14 per cent) and Costa D’oro Restaurant & Bar, and Alfresco Italian Restaurant Surfers Paradise (both 13 per cent).

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Owner John Kaz said they were accepted by the Main Beach community with open arms, leading to the accolade.

“We had a very positive response,” Mr Kaz said.

“A lot of credit has to go to the previous owners Kerri and Neil Fisher.

“It has been more than we anticipated, the response from residents and visitors has been overwhelming.

“There has definitely been an increase in turnover.”

Domanis was named best Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast.

He said the close-knit team pride themselves on their Italian Mediterranean cuisine.

“I have three actual family members working here but also have two staff that call me dad,” Mr Caz said.

“The whole restaurant revolves around a team effort, from the chefs to cleaner.

Italian Restaurant Domanis has won the best Italian on the Gold Coast. The family owned business only took over at Main Beach 3 months ago. Owners John and Jaime Kaz celebrate with their staff . Picture Glenn Hampson

“We consider it an honour to have received the nomination and then the overall winner especially with the calibre of the other Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast.”

The most popular meal on the menu was the signature dish of grilled fish, topped with sea scallops and garlic prawns.

“We make our own hand made gnocchi and pasta and the old fashioned rolling the pizza dough,” Mr Kaz said.

New foodie hub set to open on the Gold Coast - August 2020

HOSPITALITY guru Ivan Lotti and his Cartel crew are “rip, roaring and ready” to bring a slice of Italy to Burleigh.

The team at Margarita Cartel is transforming their Mexican haven into a Gold Coast foodie hub – to be called The North Burleigh Kitchens – and it will include a new Italian restaurant called The Don.

The area will become known as the North Burleigh Kitchens. Picture: Jerad Williams

Co-owner Ivan Lotti, who calls Milan home, said he was “in love with Mexican culture” but was keen for Gold Coasters to try his favourite Italian food from September 17.

“I love pizza and I am keen for Gold Coasters to try ours, which will be cooked in a 1.7 metre oven from Italy,” he said.

“Despite COVID-19, we wanted to create our dream food hub that appeals to those who love quality Italian and Mexican but don’t want to go to two different restaurants.”

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The menu will include all the Cartel classics and gourmet Italian cusine.

The North Burleigh Kitchens, located near Light Years and Commune Cafe, will take over the former Yellow Ribbon Thai restaurant two doors down, feature alfresco seating and seat about 100 diners.

The menu will include all the Cartel classics, like margaritas, burritos, pequeños and tacos tipicos. Tuscan and Veneto wine, woodfire pizza, arancini and handmade ravioli, gnocchi and more will also feature on the menu.