The history of the Omeros Brothers restaurants is based on a few points: They have had many locations, survived one of Sydney’s worst natural disasters, and operated as some of the country’s leading seafood restaurants for 40 years.

When Nick and Angelo Omeros came to Australia with their widowed mother, Helen Omeros, from Greece in 1953, neither could speak a word of English. That did not stop them working hard however, and even before they had reached their teens, they had entered the restaurant industry with their three older brothers.

Nick’s career began at Valentine’s (managed by older brother, Michael) then one of Sydney’s leading restaurants, with a nightly turnover of 700 diners. Nick started his career in the kitchen, learning tricks of the trade from his brother Costa. He then moved to Reinould’s Restaurant, where he developed a great interest in the preparation of seafood. Nick decided to devote the rest of his career to cooking seafood specialties and the big opportunity came when he teamed up with his brothers, Michael, Costa, and Comino, to open the Paragon Seafood Restaurant at La Perouse in Sydney.

Angelo began work at the tender age of 14 as a commie at Valentine’s. Before long Angelo’s skill as a waiter became apparent and he moved to one of Sydney’s top hotels of the day, The Menzies.

Rapid promotion followed, taking him to the Hotel Marquee Sheraton, then to the famous Silver Spade Room at the Chevron Hilton as head waiter. For six years as maitre d’ and head waiter of considerable fame, Angelo had the honour of table cooking for the rich and famous such as Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Diahan Carroll, Robert Goulet, Jane Powell, Jerry Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Tiny Tim, The Carpenters and José Feliciano. Later his friendly nature and catering skills led to a successful career as restaurant host in the family’s string of dining spots throughout Sydney.

In November 1968, Michael Omeros’ ambition to have his own restaurant was fulfilled with the transformation of the Paragon Café and Boat Shed at La Perouse, Sydney. What was once a café, milkbar and take-away food establishment with boat hiring facilities became the Paragon Seafood Restaurant, the second restaurant to specialise in seafood in the State of New South Wales.

Its first years of trading were an indication of the great success the family’s many restaurants have since experienced. When diners turned up for lunch on the last Sunday in May 1974, they were horrified at the sight that greeted them. The collapsed restaurant building was literally slipping into the sea of Botany Bay, a victim of the previous night’s storm. This was regarded as the worst in twenty years and caused a great deal of damage in Sydney. The damage to the restaurant was unbelievable. It was a total write-off, and there was nothing for the restaurant owners to do but start planning another Paragon. Over the years the Omeros Family has taken the Sydney and Gold Coast culinary scene by storm with a string of popular restaurants.

Their restaurants in Sydney won accolades from well known food critic, Leo Schofield, and among the countless awards that Nick and Angelo have received are “Best Restaurant of the Year”, “Four Star” status… the top rating from American magazine “Like” and awards from the world famous Restaurants International, which honours prestige establishments world-wide. On the Gold Coast, Omeros Brothers Marina Mirage and Sun City have been the winner of the American Express “Gold Plate” Award five times in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999.

Also “Best Seafood Restaurant” Gold Coast Restaurants and Caterers Association in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2007. The Omeros Brothers at Marina Mirage have also won the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Peoples Choice Award for the Gold Coast’s Best Seafood Restaurant in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

More Recently the Omeros Brothers were awarded the 2005 Supreme Award (Peoples Choice). State and regional finalists for Best Seafood Restaurant 2006, 2007. And the National Award for Best Family Establishment 2007.

In November 2001, Angelo Omeros, the youngest of the five Omeros Brothers, passed away of cancer aged 55 years. His legacy continues to serve thousands of devoted customers at the Omeros Brothers Seafood Restaurant located at Marina Mirage, now operated by Angelo’s brother Nick and Nick's son John.

The Omeros family in 1949

Left to Right:
Angelo, Michael, Costa, Nick & Comino
with their mother (top right)
and grandmother (center)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Omeros Brothers at
Valentines Restaurant 1961

Left to Right:
Michael, Comino, Angelo, Nick & Costa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Paragon Seafood Restaurant
falls into Botany Bay