Bondi Icebergs owner Maurice Terzini hits back at critics who brand his $68 pasta a joke
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Bondi Icebergs, one of Australia’s best-known restaurants, came under fire for a $68 bowl of pasta after a customer complained about whether it was “really worth it”.
Owned by first-generation Australian Maurice Terzini, the restaurant is known for its celebrity clientele, panoramic views, and “posh” atmosphere.
But one foodie, who recently took part in the restaurant’s ‘sunset lunch’ session at 4:00pm, has questioned whether eating at the iconic venue is ‘worth it’.
Special K Gourmet, a self-described Sydney foodie, said she was booking for the restaurant’s sunset session when she decided to take a look at the menu.
“I have cost of living, cost of staff, rent, and all of those things go in, but is $68 worth a plate of pasta?” she asked.
The two pasta dishes that cost $68 include the ragout and the seafood spaghetti.
Terzini, who comes from humble beginnings and has long defended his position in the industry, told FEMAIL that there are “many more options” on the menu, not just the $68 pasta dishes.
Maurice Terzini (pictured right with his ex-wife, fashion designer Lucy Hinckfuss) opposed Sydney’s lockdown laws from the start in 2014.
The two pasta dishes that cost $68 include the ragù and the seafood spaghetti.
“You choose if you want to spend ten or $1,000,” he said.
‘In this climate, is a $10,000 Chanel bag worth it?’ she asked.
He also said the $68 price is “for the Sunday menu only” and reflects the higher wages for the last day of the week.
It also said it ‘includes GST’ which should be considered by diners.
The foodie, who created a video to express her surprise at the menu prices, asked her followers how much they would pay for a pasta dish.
Some people were quick to agree with her.
‘Let’s be real icebergs, isn’t it so nice to pay $68 for pasta,’ said one woman.
$68? Tell them your dreams,” said another.
One woman said that it is “definitely worth it” if there are diamonds in the bowl.
Pictured in Icebergs: Friends and Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth with director Taika Waititi
Even ‘industry guys’ seemed surprised by the price.
“I’ve worked in some very premium restaurants in Australia that have world-renowned chefs and impeccable views and I’ve never seen prices like that,” said one man.
Others defended the iconic restaurant frequented by celebrities, the rich and famous.
“The demographic that is complaining about the price is not the demographic that Icebergs belong to,” said one woman.
‘It is expensive? It is worth it? Yes. Icebergs is a spotless restaurant. It is not made for people who want to pore over the price of a ticket,” she added.
One woman said that it is ‘absolutely worth it’ as long as the pasta is ‘hand made’.
Terzini has previously attacked ‘rude’ diners and ‘bad reviewers online’ in his new book celebrating 20 years of the Bondi institution.
‘The era of the keyboard warrior is dead. I don’t care anymore. In fact, caring about them was diluting the pleasure of the people I care about,” he wrote.
The foodie circled pasta on the menu, as Terzini suggested people consider ‘Sunday wages’
‘People in a restaurant must also take responsibility. They need to think while they’re outside: there’s a difference between thinking the meat is a couple of degrees over and ‘I’ll put it back’.
“People should think about the ramifications before they ruin the meal for everyone they’re sitting with.”
He made a comparison to how his father, who is an Italian migrant, really enjoys some of the simple things in life.
‘I see my dad, and he has a bottle of Dan Murphy’s: ‘Five (five) dollars,’ he says. He pours it, takes a sip, looks me in the eye and says ‘Buono (good)’.
“In those moments, I just want to be him. Good. Maybe it was because they were peasants, but with my parents there is no analysis, he is just good. I think we could all use a little of that.
PE Nation founder Pip Edwards appears at Bondi Icebergs, a famous celebrity hangout.
The Icebergs reopened just before Christmas after being closed for months for much-needed repairs and updates.
“I’m 58 years old. I was always going to pull the pin out after 20 years, that was my line of sight,” Terzini said.
‘With restorations, that’s what we call it, rather than renovations, it’s just too beautiful to give away right now.
‘That really prompted me to deliver this mark two. It’s not really a new Iceberg, it has some additions, we’ve fixed everything.
‘We had to put up a new roof, OHS issues had become important. In the last week of service we had 37 leaks. We can’t have that. We are not a cafe at the end of the street.