A newbie from The Gennari Group.
A newbie from The Gennari Group.
A fresh new venue is always good news but what’s even better is when that fresh new venue is by a group of people who have delivered such a thing time and time again.
Get excited Gold Coasters, The Gennari Group is back with a new addition to the Broadbeach dining scene, this time in the form of modern Asian venue Maggie Choo.
She’s the girl everybody wants to know, bright and cool, serving up tasty eats, some of the most unique cocktails around and of course, bulk good vibes.
Find her on Surf Parade, right next door to Broadbeach institution Koi Dining (one of The Gennari Groups many babies), with music pumping and neon lights aplenty.
Now you’ll probably hear Maggie Choo before you see her, a sign by the bar reads “if the music is too loud, you’re too old” and yes Maggie, we may just be but we’re coming anyway because there are many things to love about this place.
At the front, you’ll find high tables perfect for people watching and sipping many a frosty tipple but inside is where the magic happens.
A Cherry Blossom tree has been placed in the centre of the room and from that tree, millions of flowers grow up and out across the ceiling.
Paper umbrellas line the roof of a room at the back and there’s sleek, Asian-inspired artworks featured on porthole-esque windows.
Part of the kitchen is open, so you can watch the crew doing their thing and there are a few more neon signs placed throughout.
The whole effect is very impressive and the perfect spot for snapping all of the Insta content.
Now onto the menu that is made up of VERY fresh Asian dishes.
Start with the Thai Beef Tataki, Kingfish/Tuna Sashimi or the delectable Gado Gado that you absolutely must try!
Of course, the Honey Chicken Wings (with bush honey, yuzu and furikake) always go down a treat.
Moving onto the small plates like Indonesian Fritters, Prawn and Crab Dumplings, Bug Rolls and a range of Baos too.
Don’t visit without sampling the Tom Kha Curry which is made up of Moreton Bay Bugs, Prawns, Coconut and Kaffir Lime.
It’s perfectly balanced and the seafood is fresh and it’s well, perfect honestly.
There’s also banquet menu’s available for when you just can’t decide so Maggie will choose for you, the Tease is $45pp or Luxe for $55pp and vegans don’t miss out either, with an array of dishes available.
Cocktail-wise, expect some very interesting, very yummy sips including My Bubbles – an adult bubble tea – and Head in the Clouds (serves four), which is made up of all the watermelon things plus cherry things and look, just taste it.
They’re all amazing though, stay awhile and taste them all.
If you’re in need of a good time, laden with tasty eats and some of the best sips around, Maggie Choo is your girl.
Opening Wednesday 16th September.
LOCATION: 89 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: TBC
Words and photos By Kirra Smith
He’s the man behind three of your favourite Broadbeach venues, The Loose Moose, Roosevelt Lounge and Koi, as well as Glass Restaurant at Marina Mirage and mentoring the girls at Broadbeach newbie GG’s Eatery & Bar. With such a diverse local restaurant portfolio, it’s safe to say Patrik Gennari knows hospitality.
We sat down for a chat with the man who has been feeding Gold Coast locals exceptional food for decades to chat being born into the industry and new venue plans for 2018.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I moved to the Gold Coast from Sweden 25 years ago.
What is your favourite thing about living here?
The lifestyle, the people and the perfect weather. We seriously live in the best place in the world.
How did your foray into the hospitality industry come about?
I was pretty much born into the restaurant industry with my father owning restaurants throughout Europe and Asia. I went to restaurant school in Sweden and then ventured to the Gold Coast to open my first restaurant 25 years ago.
Of all the venues you’ve opened, which is your favourite to spend time in?
I love spending time in Koi. It was the first big venture I opened and there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into creating it all those years ago. I see it as my baby, so I have a soft spot for Koi Dining & Lounge Bar.
Why do you think they’re each so popular?
The Gennari Group has done a fantastic job of diversifying our portfolio. Our tagline is “something for everyone” and I truly do believe we do.
Your venues are all quite unique, how do you come up with such diverse concepts?
Koi in Broadbeach was the first restaurant of its kind 11 years ago, when we opened it, and we haven’t really changed the format of always delivering great food. It’s all about consistently great food… in prime locations. All our restaurants have fantastic atmospheres. With Glass, we designed the restaurant to capture the magnificent view of Marina Mirage. With The Loose Moose, we noticed a lack of anything like it on the Gold Coast. Same for the Roosevelt Lounge. There was nowhere that offered a beautiful dining experience followed by dancing with live entertainment.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018?
I have a few things in the pipeline so you’ll be seeing more of our venues popping up.
What’s the best piece of life advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t take anything for granted”. I am constantly trying to better my brands with each brand having some sort of refurbishment every couple of years. I am fully aware that you are only as strong as the people around you.
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Beach: Broadbeach
Cafe: GGs Eatery & Bar (formerly Grocer and Grind)
Restaurant: Kyomi, The Star Gold Coast
How do your weekends usually look? The weekends are the busiest part of my week, with late nights visiting all four venues. A sleep in is what I look forward to.
Here’s some happy news for you and the Gold Coast in general. Beloved Broadbeach institution Koi Dining & Lounge Bar have reopened after a few weeks spent completely transforming the look, menu and general vibe of the space.
After an absolutely huge 13 years of operation the Koi team, led by Patrik Gennari, decided it was time to create something bigger, better and fresher and so here we are to discuss it.
The sleek, new design boasts quite the coastal feel with a combination of wood, stone, marble, copper and cane textures. The space has almost doubled in size with the back wall removed to reveal an open kitchen. There’s a casual bar section at the front and both sit down alfresco and indoor dining areas throughout the venue.
The ceiling is one of the most stunning aspects of the space with woven lights by homewares extraordinaires Three Balls Red grouped together to create a beautiful visual effect.
It’s all very open and inviting and the perfect spot for after-work drinks or a delightful dining experience with the crew.
Speaking of dining experiences, let’s chat about the menu which is all new everything too.
Spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner, the focus is on quality produce with an array of flavours and we would like to eat every single dish possible.
For breakfast, there’s things like Ricotta Pancakes and Salmon Rosti, Pina Colada Bircher and Crab Scramble and of course, a menu specifically designed for the kids.
At lunchtime, the woodfired pizza oven is cranking out flavours like San Danielle, Vegetarian and Wagyu and they’re all some of the best looking pizzas around.
For dinner, start with a Chargrilled Marinated Octopus and then move onto a Chargrilled Premium Beef with a side of Truffle Mash Potato perhaps.
There’s also an array of signature cocktails that you simply must sample and of course, a wide range of wines, beers and spirits.
To sum up, Koi Dining and Lounge Bar is like a whole new venue and one you’re going to want to test out at the earliest available opportunity.
We love.
LOCATION: 89 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: Open from 7am until late daily
A world of old-school New York glamour awaits with the opening of Roosevelt Lounge in Broadbeach this week.
The space is the epitome of decadence and an entirely unique concept for the Gold Coast’s blossoming bar scene. Entering through a velvet curtain, you’ll find yourself in a breathtakingly seductive space that will certainly place all your senses on high alert.
The attention to detail is immaculate, as you’ve come to expect from owner Patrik Gennari (of Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, Koi Dining and Lounge Bar and The Loose Moose fame). A copper pressed ceiling, sizeable silver mirror, a bookcase laden with leather-bound books even Ron Burgundy would envy. Black and white photographs of the one and only Marilyn Monroe and crystal-laden light fixtures also feature in the perfectly appointed room.
The wooden bar is luxuriously extravagant, made with rich mahogany and stocked with premium beverages the likes of which you may have never seen before. The vibe is similarly fitting, sophisticated and aimed at the well-heeled 30 plus crowd.
The cocktail list is a theatre-themed extravanaganza of molecular mixology (try saying that five times fast) and the dining experience equally lavish.
Think antipasto boards laden with the highest quality spreads, small and medium share plates with options like Yakitori Pork Belly with caramelised wasabi apple puree, yuzu sesame and watermelon radish (!) and savoury smoked salmon-filled cones.
The food is truly sensational and washed down with an icy cold glass of Dom Pérignon, what could be classier.
Highly recommended for a night out with girlfriends who love getting dressed up for a night of dancing in the most sophisticated of settings – fringed frocks highly recommended.
Be warned, there’s a strict dress code, collared shirts for the fellas and no visible tattoos.
LOCATION: Next to The Loose Moose, 75 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: From 5pm until late
Words by Kirra Smith
