Bondi Icebergs owner Maurice Terzini hits back at critics who brand his $68 pasta a joke

Bondi Icebergs, one of Australia’s most well-known restaurants, has been called out over a bowl of $68 pasta after a customer ranted about whether it’s ‘really worth it’.

The restaurant, which is owned by first generation Australian Maurice Terzini, is known for its celebrity clientele, sweeping views and ‘high-end’ atmosphere.

But one foodie, who recently took part in the restaurant’s 4pm ‘sunset lunch’ session, has questioned whether eating at the iconic venue is ‘worth it’.

Special K Gourmet, a self-described foodie from Sydney, said she was booking into the restaurant’s sunset session when she decided to take a look at the menu.

‘I get there is cost of living, I get cost of staff, and rent and all of that stuff goes in but is $68 for a bowl of pasta worth it?’ she asked.

The two pasta dishes which cost $68 include the ragu and the seafood spaghetti.  

Mr Terzini, who comes from humble beginnings and has long defended his position in the industry, told FEMAIL there are ‘many more options’ on the menu, not just the $68 pasta dishes.

The two pasta dishes which cost $68 include the ragu and the seafood spaghetti

‘Your choice if you want to spend ten or $1,000,’ he said.

‘In this climate is a $10,000 Chanel bag still worth it?’ he asked.

He also said the $68 price is ‘only for the Sunday menu’ and reflects the higher wages for the last day of the week.

He also said it ‘includes GST’ which should be considered by diners. 

The foodie, who created a video to express her shock at the menu prices asked her followers how much they would pay for a bowl of pasta.

Some people were quick to agree with her.

‘Let’s be real Icebergs ain’t that nice to pay $68 for pasta,’ one woman said.

‘$68? Tell ’em their dreamin’,’ said another.

One woman said it is ‘definitely worth it’ if there’s diamonds in the bowl. 

Pictured at Icebergs: Friends and Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth with director Taika Waititi

Even ‘industry types appeared shocked by the price.

‘I’ve worked in some very premium restaurants in Australia that have world renown chefs and impeccable views and never seen prices like that,’ one man said. 

Others stood up for the iconic eatery which is frequented by celebrities and the rich and famous. 

‘The demographic who complain about the price is not the demographic Icebergs is for,’ one woman said.

‘Is it expensive? Yes, is it worth it? Yes. Icebergs is an impeccable restaurant. It’s not made for people who want to dissect the price of a bill,’ she added.

One woman said it’s ‘absolutely worth it’ as long as the pasta is ‘handmade’.

Mr Terzini has previously hit out at ‘rude’ diners and ‘bad online reviewers’  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 for the people I do care about,’ he wrote.

The foodie circled the pasta on the menu – as Mr Terzini suggested people consider ‘Sunday wages’ 

‘People in a restaurant need to take responsibility too. They need to think while they are out – there’s a difference between thinking the meat is a couple of degrees over and ‘I’m sending it back’.

‘People should think about the ramifications before they ruin the meal for everyone they’re sitting with.’

He made a comparison with how his father, who is an Italian migrant, takes great pleasure in some of the simple things in life.  

‘I see my Papa, and he has a bottle from Dan Murphy’s: ‘Cinque (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. Buono. Maybe it was because they were peasants, but with my parents there’s no analysing, it’s just buono. I think we all could do with a bit of that.’

P.E. Nation founder Pip Edwards is pictured at Bondi Icebergs – a famed celebrity hangout

Icebergs reopened just before Christmas after being closed for months for much needed repairs and upgrades.

‘I’m 58. I was always going to pull the pin after 20 years, that was my line of sight,’ Mr Terzini said. 

‘With the restorations – that’s what we call it, rather than renovations – it’s just too beautiful to give away right now.

‘That really drove me in delivering this mark two. It’s not really a new Icebergs, it’s got some additions, we’ve repaired everything.

‘We’ve had to put a new roof on, OHS issues had become important. In the last week of service we had 37 leaks. We can’t have that. We’re not a café down the road.’