Cancel your dinner plans, loosen your waistband and prepare to make pizza your entire personality because Franc Jrs is opening in Palm Beach on Tuesday 14 July.

Yes, the cult-favourite pizza shop responsible for crispy-edged Detroit-style squares, saucy red pies and an unwavering belief that frozen Margies should be consumed while waiting for dinner. Honestly, we’ve never felt more understood.

The new restaurant is taking over the former Cadillac Supper Club on the Gold Coast Highway, giving the much-loved space a fresh chapter while retaining plenty of its original charm.

For owners Anthony and Claudia Pattinson, who have been feeding Gold Coasters under the Francie’s and Franc Jrs banners for almost a decade, the opportunity arrived at exactly the right time.

Following a fire in their Coolay venue, the team needed somewhere to rebuild, not only for themselves but for the staff who relied on the business for work, visas and, in Anthony’s words, “something to do on a Wednesday night”. When the call came about the Palm Beach space, he couldn’t say yes fast enough.

And once you step inside, it’s easy to see why.

Like the Nobby Beach restaurant, Franc Jrs Palm Beach is dark, moody and dripping in old-school Italian-American charm. Think timber panelling, glowing vintage pendant lights, checkerboard tiles and cosy booths made for settling in with a bottle of red and absolutely no intention of leaving early.

The bones of the former Cadillac Supper Club remain, with the Franc Jrs team decluttering the space and adding its own signature touches. Anthony describes it as a classic 1950s red sauce joint that feels relaxing, familiar and comfortable, which also happens to be exactly how we feel around carbohydrates.

Entry is tucked away off the laneway, adding a little speakeasy-style mystery before opening into a predominantly indoor, open-plan dining room. It’s friendly, unfussy and made for lingering over pizza with your favourite people.

Running the kitchen is Ronnie Jr Ferreira, who has been with Franc Jrs since the beginning. After working across every section of the business, Ronnie went on to lead Cross Eyed Mary’s following its relaunch, proving he knows plenty about pizza, people and the realities of running a small business. Now, he finally has a venue of his own to sink his teeth into.

Food-wise, they’re serving the same cult-favourite menu fans know and love from Nobby Beach.
The pizza menu covers all the important food groups, namely Detroit-style, classic 13-inch pizzas and giant 16-inch rounds.

The number-one banger remains the Detroit-style Orange Stripe, loaded with vodka sauce, a cheese blend, chilli, stracciatella, pecorino and basil. Its crispy, caramelised edges alone have inspired the kind of devotion usually reserved for boy bands and Ryan Gosling.

Also joining the square squad is the Corn & Pancetta, with fior di latte, sweetcorn, paprika, chilli sauce, pickled jalapeños, pancetta and pecorino.

Traditionalists can wrap their hands around the Beesting, topped with tomato sauce, fior di latte, hot pepperoni, oregano and hot honey, or tackle the White Boy Rick, a smoky combination of mozzarella, aged gouda, caramelised onion, pancetta and a sesame seed crust.

For maximum table drama, order one of the 16-inch rounds. The Burrata Pie combines tomato, mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, stracciatella and basil, while the Sausage & Sweet Pepper Pie arrives with cheese, oregano and a sesame crust.

Make sure you save room for side. We highly recommend the Roasted Corn coated in garlic butter, pecorino and parsley, and the Pickled Grape Salad with rocket, roasted almonds, vinaigrette and, naturally, more pecorino.

As for drinks, Anthony recommends a frozen Margie while you wait, red wine while you eat and an Old Fashioned to send you on your way.

Francly, we wouldn’t argue.

Where: 27/1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 4.30pm to 9.30pm

Words by Belinda Symons
Images by Liam McDonald

There are two types of people on the Gold Coast: those who think real estate is all fast talk and flashy suits, and those who’ve met Salt Property.

Autumn may be the season of cool breezes and no-filter-required sunsets, but down in Palm Beach, something even fresher has rolled in. Salt Property, the boutique agency founded by Serena Wilson, is rewriting the script on what selling and buying a home should feel like. Spoiler alert: it involves honesty, heart, and a Golden Retriever named Archie who takes his role as Chief Happiness Officer very seriously.

Salt Property officially opened its Palm Beach office in January 2026, but the story started long before the fresh paint dried. Serena began her career selling commercial farmland, discovering early on that she loved the process of valuing property and presenting it to the market. After moving from Sydney to the Gold Coast, she worked her way up from sales associate to standalone agent, eventually launching Salt Property when she realised the industry was crying out for something different. Something calmer. Something more human. Something that didn’t treat people like transactions or milestones like paperwork and all we can say is A-Freaking-Men.

Salt was built on a simple belief: real estate is about people first, property second. And while that sounds lovely on a brochure, Serena and her team actually live it. They want to know your why, not just your what, and call you on the reg so you’re never left wondering what’s happening with your biggest asset. The kind that refuses to “condition” sellers into accepting less, and instead pivots, strategises, and advocates fiercely until the right outcome lands. The kind that tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, because transparency isn’t a tagline for them – it’s the whole point.

Their boutique size is their superpower. When you list with ONE of them, you get ALL of them. Serena and her equally formidable team, Paul and Marina Skelton, operate like a well‑dressed, highly caffeinated, and creatively unstoppable trio, bouncing ideas around local cafés and dreaming up creative campaigns that make properties shine.

Paul brings over 15 years of sales experience and a deep love for the southern Gold Coast community, while Marina keeps the marketing sharp, the socials humming, and the admin tighter than a freshly staged linen cupboard. Their connection to the community runs deep too, regularly bringing locals together through Christmas parties, Easter celebrations and friendly competitions for kids and grown-ups alike. Even their daughter, the youngest team member at 1.5 years old, fronts up to team meetings and helps judge colouring competitions. It’s a family affair in the most wholesome, Gold Coast way – and locals can’t get enough.

And then there’s Archie, Serena’s one‑year‑old Golden Retriever who has quickly become a Palm Beach celebrity. He attends open homes, greets clients at the office, and can often be spotted trotting around Roots and Culture or Apertivo like he’s checking on his investment portfolio. If you’ve ever wanted to buy a home from someone who hands you a property brochure and a dog cuddle in the same breath, Salt Property is the one for you.

Salt’s stunning Palm Beach office sits right in the heart of the southern Gold Coast, surrounded by the calm, sun‑soaked lifestyle that inspired the brand. Serena chose the location because it reflects everything Salt stands for: clarity, connection, and that relaxed coastal ease that makes you breathe a little deeper. Burleigh to Currumbin is their stomping ground, their community, and the place where they’re helping locals build wealth, create stability and step confidently into their next chapter.

But what truly sets Salt apart is their commitment to celebrating the stories behind every home. They understand that a property isn’t just walls and windows – it’s where memories live, where families grow, where life unfolds in all its messy, beautiful ways. They honour that. They protect it. And they guide clients through the process with the kind of care that makes you feel like you’re their only listing.

Salt Property isn’t just another agency on the GC. Salt Property isn’t just another agency on the GC. It’s a refreshing shift toward real estate with heart, humour and humanity. It’s a team that shows up, stands beside you, and cheers you on. A boutique business with big values and even bigger commitment, and it’s here to makes selling and buying homes feel less like a rollercoaster and more like a milestone worth celebrating. And because buying and selling shouldn’t result in an extra costly therapy or Botox bill. It should feel manageable, meaningful, and not maddening.

Enlist the dream team at Salt. Your current self, your future self, and your future equity will thank you because big life moments deserve big heart behind them – and there are no smoke and mirrors here. Just sincerity, honesty, and results that speak louder than any pitch ever could.

Where: 40 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
When: 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday & 9am – 12pm Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY SALT PROPERTY

When the day calls for comfort food, nothing quite hits the spot like a big bowl of pasta. And now with the opening of Spaghetto in Palm Beach, you can curb your carb cravings quicker than you can say bellissimo!

Spaghetto is equal parts tradition and takeaway where you don’t need to wait for a dinner reservation to get your fix.

The brainchild of chefs Rodrigo Abranches and Stefano Mondonico, Spaghetto was born out of a dream to bring Italian comfort food to busy Australian streets. They couldn’t find a place where they could enjoy high-quality pasta to go, so they created it.

“We grew up with pasta as a daily ritual – homemade sauces, seasonal ingredients, family tables. Now we’re bringing that same tradition to Australia, designed for today’s lifestyle.”

Both Rodrigo and Stefano bring serious kitchen cred to the table. With years of experience across restaurants and cafes in Australia and Brazil, plus Stefano’s well-earned reputation within Sydney’s hospitality scene at hotspots like North Bondi Fish and Pan Divino, this is a duo who know their way around a sauce.

And being hands-on kinda guys, Rodrigo quite literally built the dream himself, designing and constructing the fit-out.

The sleek, takeaway-style space stands out on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Palm Beach Avenue, next to Lefty’s Tattoo Shop. With just 15 seats, it’s designed for diners who want their comfort food without the commitment of a long sit-down affair.

Let’s talk about the menu. Or more accurately, your menu. At Spaghetto, you’re the head chef of your own carb-loaded creation. It’s a build-your-own bowl situation that puts you firmly in control, whether you’re in the mood for something traditional or feeling a little more experimental.

Start by choosing your pasta, handmade daily by a local supplier. Whether you’re into spaghetti, pappardelle or firmly in your rigatoni era, there’s a carb for every craving.

Next, it’s time to get saucy. Keep it classic with a rich Napoli, go creamy with a white or rose, or lean green with a punchy pesto.

Then comes the fun part: toppings. Pile on the veg, cheese and ham, or dial things up with premium additions like chicken, prawns or slow-cooked beef. And if you really want indulgence, a spoonful of stracciatella is the ultimate chef’s kiss.

No time to decide? We hear you. The house recipes have you covered with tried-and-true crowd pleasers. Hearty Bolognese, fiery Chilli Prawn, or Boscaiola loaded with bacon and mushroom are all pasta-tively perfect choices.

There are also gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free options available, ensuring everyone can join the pasta party.

And of course, no Italian meal would be complete without Tiramisu to finish.

In a world that often feels rushed, Spaghetto manages to honour the traditions of Italian cooking while embracing the realities of modern life.

It’s fast food, but as it should be.

Where: Shop 3/ 1132 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
When: Daily, 11:30am-8:30pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Liam McDonald