The wait is finally over Gold Coasters, famed Sunshine Coast venue Miss Moneypenny’s has opened her doors in Broadbeach this week and it’s the very good news we need right now.

The stunning, fine-dining (without the fuss) restaurant can be found underneath Avani on Surf Pde and right next door to the also-very-new Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar and Diner and it’s one you’re going to want to experience at the earliest possible opportunity.

Upon entering you’ll be met with a pared back aesthetic, both sophisticated and cosy and perfectly curated for dining experiences from breakfast through to late night snacking.

The interior is made up of low leather chairs set against plush, cushiony booths you could nap in for days. A wooden wave-style ceiling and a stone-backed bar, beautifully lit and stocked with premium tipples are the most eye-catching features and the entire space comes together as what can best be described as sleek, beachside chic. We’re in love.

There’s an outdoor area in the front and The Rimini Room (an equally stunning private dining room) can be found tucked away at the back.

The menu, by acclaimed Aussie Chef Braden White who once headed up hatted Brisbane restaurant Stokehouse Q and was the Executive Chef at Noosa’s multi-award winning Ricky’s River Bar & Restaurant, is as exceptional as you’d expect.

Filled with all the very best options from bar bites to pizzas, entrees, mains, sides and desserts, you’ll want to go back time and time again to taste it all.

If you’re in a snacking mood (us, always) you absolutely must order the Mushroom Fritters, Chargrilled Ora King Salmon Stick, Green Pea Croquette and the Doughnut of Smoked Crème Fraiche (life changing) because they are quite simply, taste sensations.

For entrée, the Oakey Beef Tartare with torched gochujang, garlic custard and chilli threads. It’s the best we’ve ever sampled.

Because we love the concept of share-style dishes (and want to eat everything) we recommend the Social Share Dining section and in particular the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with spicy chermoula, burnt lemon, chilli oil and watercress. It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

If sharing isn’t your thing (fair), don’t go past the Coral Coast Barramundi. It not only looks mind-blowing, it tastes mind-blowing with clam and potato puree, warrigal greens and wood sorrel.

The breakfast menu is equally impressive with tasty dishes the likes of which you’ve never had the pleasure of coming across before now.

Of course, everything Chef White and the Miss Moneypenny’s team touches turns to gold so there isn’t a dish on the menu we couldn’t eat every single day forever.

Cocktail-wise, prepare for something really special. There are MANY to choose from including a selction of Miss Moneypenny’s favourites, sparkling cocktails, an array of gin and tonics, The 80’s Cruise Ship set and a House Crafted section and they’re all exceptional.

In case you’re wondering, we’d choose the Kombucha Spritz with Aperol, kombucha, lemon, passionfruit, prosecco and thyme because fresh and oh so delicious.

All in all, Miss Moneypenny’s is one of the most exciting restaurants that’s opened on the Coast probably ever and we have no doubt you’re going to love it as much as we do.

Go for breakfast, stay until bedtime is our plan.

LOCATION: 50 Surf Pde, Broadbeach
HOURS: 9am until 12am daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Throughout our lives, the list of things that can be delivered to our doors has grown exponentially. Particularly in the last little while (cocktails anyone?). These days, you have almost anything your heart (or stomach) desires dropped off, you need never step foot outside again should you not wish to. Convenient in current times.

The latest addition to the list is oysters. Not just any oysters though, freshly shucked oysters of the very highest quality, direct from the sparkly seas of Tasmania and South Australia (miss you). How good.

It’s all thanks to new Gold Coast business Clan Oysters, who are all about fuelling our bodies with nutrient-rich foods, as it is scientifically proven to be the most effective and potent way to optimise health.

Which means you can eat all the oysters you like, guilt-free.

Oysters are considered one of the most powerful ingredients on the planet because of their capacity to boost the immune system, support physical and mental wellbeing and revitalise the body. A few things we could all use a little help with right now.

What makes oysters so damn effective is their potent blend of brain nutrients including the highest natural source of zinc together with iron, iodine and copper.

So if you need a little bit of extra nourishment in your life, and you also love eating fresh, delicious seafood, your prayers have been answered.

Clan offer free Gold Coast delivery. You need to order by 8pm Thursday for a delivery choice of Friday or Saturday and drop off times are between 8am – 3pm. They’ll text you when they’re on the way.

Alternatively, if you’re having a sweet party and you want to impress your friends with the freshest oysters, without actually having to go anywhere to get them, that’s possible too.

Choose from one dozen for $35, two dozen for $60 or the Deep Bliss Deluxe Box including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, a box of Loco Love artisan chocolate from Byron Bay and your choice of one or two dozen Pacific oysters from $125.

Life just got a little bit fancy Gold Coasters, get involved.

Order here.

Words by Kirra Smith

It’s not often we have the pleasure of chatting about our northern neighbours but there is certainly a lot to discuss when it comes to Brisbane’s dining scene. The most important aspect of which is the city’s adoption of one of our favourite restauranteurs and one extremely talented head chef.

Yes, it’s Simon Gloftis (founder of Hellenika, The Fish House and nineteen at The Star) and Kelvin Andrews (former Head Chef at The Fish House and nineteen at The Star), two of the Coast’s most impressive foodies and now, owners at SK Steak & Oyster.

As you’ve no doubt heard, the pair opened the venue within The Calile Hotel in Brisbane and it is exceptional in every sense of the word.

Before we begin, some context. In late 2019, the pair embarked on an eating tour of the US to ‘gather intel’ (which roughly translates to tasting all of the things) on the style of venue they were planning. They wanted a sophisticated space with white tablecloths, a piano and of course, the highest quality produce they could source.

Which is exactly what they’ve created.

SK Steak & Oyster greets you with a beautifully stocked circular wall of spirits including a stunning array of single malt whiskey’s that we would very much appreciate sampling.

Inside you’ll find an air of unpretentious sophistication with fresh flowers dotted throughout, plants tucked in overhead, a completely open kitchen and a window showcasing some of the finest cuts of meat there are.

The team are dressed in crisp white dinner jackets and are both very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable and the entire experience is one that will stay with you always.

Now to the food and although words may not do it justice, let’s see how we go.

The premise is of course, steak and seafood and as mentioned, it’s of the highest possible quality.

To begin, oysters of course. SK’s are sourced daily and served with a champagne mignonette that takes champagne and oysters to a whole new level.

The seafood platter is a must with oysters, prawns, bugs, mussels and lobster and it is unlike any seafood platter we’ve ever laid eyes on. Fresh, flavorsome perfection.

Next the raw seafood is an absolute taste sensation and we sampled the Raw Yellowtail Kingfish with smoked dashi, white soy and jalapeno and The Petuna Ocean Trout Tartare with shallots, cornichons and capers. Melt in your mouth and beautifully balanced, the both of them.

Now there are a few ways to go and if you’re a risotto lover, Kelvin’s Lobster Risotto is the best you’ll ever have with southern Tasmanian Rock Lobster and crustacean bisque. The flavours guys, too good.

Of course, you’ll want to sample a steak and there are many to choose from depending on your preference. We went for the eye fillet and it was life changing. Crisp on the outside and pink in the middle, soft and just exceptional honestly. No sauce required… but available if you can’t do without.

Sides-wise there is an entire potato menu and we love that a lot. The Moreton Bay Bug Mash Potato is the greatest mash in the world (actually), do yourself a favour. If you’d like a salad too (because at this point, why not?), the SK Signature Wedge Salad has blue cheese dressing (!) and bacon on iceberg lettuce. YUM.

For dessert, you must try the signature Strawberry Cake that Kelvin has absolutely perfected, is sweet and smooth and we’re in love with it to be frank.

To drink, cocktails, wines, spirits and beers, all able to be matched with your dishes and all absolutely sensational.

Quite obviously, it’s worth a trip to Brisbane just to sample the goodness that is SK Steak & Oyster, not to mention you’ll be supporting two former Gold Coasters who have firmly made their mark on the Brisbane dining scene and have zero signs of stopping there.

World takeover? We’re here for it.

LOCATION: Ground floor at The Calile Hotel, 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley
HOURS: 12pm to 3pm and 5.30pm to midnight daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith