Matt and Dayna Jefferson will open Orzo in Oracle Boulevard at Broadbeach on back of Social Eating House success

There’s little chance of a silent night for restaurateurs Matt and Dayna Jefferson as they prepare to debut their second Broadbeach restaurant in coming days

THERE’S little chance of a silent night for restaurateurs Matt and Dayna Jefferson as they prepare to debut their second Broadbeach restaurant on Friday.

Contemporary Italian eatery Orzo will open in Oracle Boulevard exactly seven years after the couple’s acclaimed Social Eating House, and its first service is already sold out.

“We’re hoping that’s a good omen,” Mr Jefferson said. “It will be busy – especially with Christmas and four kids – but we wanted to do it while we were young and crazy enough.

Executive chef and owner Matt Jefferson. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“I may have a few extra grey hairs after this but I love it and I’m really excited.”

“There’s been so much support for our first week we’re going to have to work out where to put everyone.”

Leveraging the talents of two sponsored chefs who had been working at Social Eating House, the pair promise it’s not just another Italian restaurant.

“We love Italian food, so we’re focusing on that,” Mr Jefferson said.

“No pizzas just really beautiful pasta – a lot of coastal dishes, a lot of seafood.

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The owners promise Orzo will not be just another Italian restaurant. Picture Glenn Hampson.

“There’s just no one really making handmade pasta around and we have the most amazing Italian chefs so we thought we may as well get them using their talent.”

Native Australian ingredients supply the twist on tradition.

“The native pepper berries instead of just cracked pepper bring it to life, or the bush tomatoes give the gnocchi that really beautiful sweet-sour flavour,” Mr Jefferson said.

“The first time our chef from Rome made (the pasta) with native pepper he couldn’t believe it – he said it was the best thing he’d ever eaten.”

The Broadbeach restaurant uses native Australian ingredients. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Designed for year-round holiday vibes, Mrs Jefferson said the Broadbeach base made sense.

“We originally thought we’d head south and inspected a couple of sites at Mermaid Beach, but then we slept on it for a couple of nights and thought we’d be crazy to take another restaurant out of Broadbeach because so many have closed down here,” Mrs Jefferson said.

“We want to keep Broadbeach alive, keep the dining options here.”

The restauranr will open at Broadbeach in coming days. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

While lamb shoulder is the star attraction at Social Eating House, scampi is set to steal the show at Orzo.

“We’ve got beautiful scampi from WA with a roasted scampi shell sauce and orzo risotto, mascarpone and lemon – it’ll probably be the signature pasta dish,” Mr Jefferson.

The former sushi restaurant, which accommodates up to 100 people or 60 in formal seating, has been given a light, fresh fit-out in summery hues of peach, blush and copper with blonde timber tables and a bar destined for afternoon proseccos.

Handmade pasta will be on the menu. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Designed for year-round holiday vibes, Mrs Jefferson said the Broadbeach base made sense.

“We originally thought we’d head south and inspected a couple of sites at Mermaid Beach, but then we slept on it for a couple of nights and thought we’d be crazy to take another restaurant out of Broadbeach because so many have closed down here,” Mrs Jefferson said.

“We want to keep Broadbeach alive, keep the dining options here.

“We get the best trade from the Convention Centre, really big spenders.”

The interior of Orzo at Broadbeach. Picture Glenn Hampson.

A research trip is on the cards to ensure the ever-evolving menu’s authenticity.

“We got married in August, we eloped, so we want to go on our honeymoon to Italy next year,” Mrs Jefferson said.

“We’ll sink our teeth into this first though.”

Orzo will be open for lunch and dinner daily.