There will be a hearty German farewell when the popular Rhinedorf restaurant at Beverly Hills closes its doors for the final time on Sunday night.
The restaurant was opened in 1983 by Gunter Höeflich who wanted to offer authentic German cuisine.
Gunter trained as a chef in Bonn, Germany and arrived in Australia in 1969.
He worked at the Black Stump, Maroubra Seals and the Concordia Club at Stanmore before deciding to open his own German-themed restaurant at Beverly Hills.
Over the years he has run the restaurant with the help of his wife Margaret, daughter Monika and son Michael.
“We have got a lot of regular customers. Mostly what they like is the pork knuckle and the schnitzel,” he said.
“They are all disappointed that we are closing after so many years. We have customers who came here as kids and who now have kids who have grown up and bring their kids.”
Gunter said the secret to running a good restaurant was not just offering good food.
“It’s more about personality,” he said.
It will be business as usual on the Rhinedorf’s last night of trading this Sunday.
“Hopefully there will be last drink with a couple of customers,” he said.
Asked what he has enjoyed most about running the restaurant, Gunter said, “Besides the work, it is the contact with the customers. That’s something no-one can take away.”