Tommy’s Italian
It’s a sad day when any long-standing venue closes its doors, especially one that is as widely adored as The Beach Shack in Currumbin. This story, however, is not one of doors closing, but of exciting new chapters and new beginnings. The much-loved 1920s building has undergone an incredible floor-to-ceiling transformation into a 120-seat trattoria known as Tommy’s Italian. Offering sharp but casual service, coupled with a sense of familiarity and warmth in its fit-out, Tommy’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. There’s a dedicated takeaway servery window, which opens daily from 6:00 am, slinging Single O coffee and Tommy’s twist on a traditional B&E roll – sliced-to-order mortadella, mozzarella and fried egg slathered with tomato relish, however, those who wish to linger a little longer can make their way upstairs and perch themselves on the mezzanine to bask in the cerulean waters of Currumbin. In true Italian fashion, the modern a la carte menu showcases exceptional Australian produce cooked simply. Think freshly baked focaccia della nonna through to pesto-filled burrata from Byron Bay, grilled Western Australian octopus with nduja dressing and grilled king prawns. The pasta, however, should not be underestimated with every single piece made from scratch in-house. Those keen for a casual bite will appreciate the range of Neapolitan-style pizzas that are fired to crisp perfection in its Marana Forni wood-fired oven. Tommy’s Italian is a collaboration between hospitality heavyweights Ronnie Tarabay, the former owner of The Fish House, and Tom Torchut of Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s dining institutions Arc Dining, Gemelli Italian and Eleven Rooftop Bar.