I’ll Have The 64 Year Old Recipe Please

May 4, 2017

The first time I dined at Gambaros Seafood Restaurant was back in 1989 when I was working at Channel Ten and I knew way back then that it was a special place.

At the time, it was one of Brisbane’s only fine dining establishments. A place where businessmen went for their long lunches that turned into dinner.

It was also where people went for those special “couples” and “family” occasions.

Gambaros was always well-known for its dedicated staff and of course their seafood and crepe flambe. I have been to Gambaros many time over the years, however visits became spaced out after I became a busy mum and business owner.

To be honest, Brisbane has so many wonderful places on offer, I think I have also been busy trying alternatives.

Last Friday night I broke the drought and accepted an invitation to be a guest of Gambaros for dinner with my husband.

Well, nothing has changed about the staff and food, but what has changed are the furnishings. It has been modernised and oh so tastefully.

I do enjoy my wine, so I ensured I sampled the two types of Rose on their list. The wine list is extensive and impressive, backed by a wine cellar surrounded by glass within the restaurant. I asked for a tour at the end of the evening and was shown the rack of Grange plus some. I was told the Gambaros collect wines and only place them on their menu when they are “just right”.

Now to the food. Well I couldn’t fault it. In one word, “delicious”. As tempting as it was to sway away from seafood, both my husband I ordered oysters, prawns, Moreton bay bugs and spaghetti marinara.

The waiter sealed our spaghetti marinara choice when he told us it had been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 1953 – 64 years ago.  It was also the waiter who convinced us to order date pudding. One word ‘delicious’. Actually two words ‘delicious’ and ‘exercise’.

So thanks to my hosts Michael, John, Donny & Frank Gambaro and Executive Chef Lukas McEwan, not to forget our waiter. If you are stuck for a restaurant for any occasion, make sure you consider Gambaros. It is real fine dining at “very reasonable” prices.

Check out the menu here!

 

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