Moor your boat at Isle of Capri and chow down on Bao.
Moor your boat at Isle of Capri and chow down on Bao.
They’re soft, silky and filled with the tastiest of goodness and they are quickly gaining popularity as the perfect snack on the go. Luckily for Isle of Capri goers, BAO Burgers has recently opened and they are serving some of the best baos around.
In case you’ve never had the pleasure of putting one in your mouth, baos are a kind of Chinese sandwich made with a pillowy steamed bun and filled with anything from bacon and eggs to soft shell crab.
Found inside Capri on Via Roma and set against a sparkling, boat-laden backdrop, BAO Burgers is a street food style of venue with both dine in and takeaway options, a first for the complex.
If you’re a boatie, it’s a great takeaway option for cruising the high seas or a canal cruising picnic. Moor up and hoe down captains.
Owner Shane McDowall (former owner of The Boatshed in Currumbin) aimed to open something unique to the area that would be seen as an easy takeaway option but could also be enjoyed as a sit down meal, paired with fries and a gelato milkshake (yes please).
Obviously though, the most important thing is the baos themselves and the many delicious flavour options there are to choose from.
Starting with a breakfast bao. Choose from fillings of bacon, egg and tomato chutney or something a little bit fancier like the smoked salmon, Japanese egg, spinach and orange aioli.
Stick around until lunchtime and opt for the fried Szechuan chicken bao with coleslaw and sriracha aioli or a vego option featuring salt and pepper mushroom or halloumi.
For those who aren’t keen on the gluten side of things, baos are also available as sweet little salads.
Oh and in perhaps the greatest bao-related news of all time, there’s soon to be dessert baos on offer including a deep fried bao with mango, pineapple, toasted coconut and vanilla bean gelato.
It’s time to bao down to the tasty little morsels that are about to take over Isle of Capri. How many can you do?
LOCATION: Capri on Via Roma, 15 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
The Star has seriously stepped up its’ game of late with even more restaurants on their way and a soon to be unveiled rooftop infinity pool.
Already an institution on the Coast’s foodie scene, The Star boasts eight dining precincts, all of which are completely unique and really make it quite unnecessary to eat anywhere else.
If you’re short on time but keen to experience the tastes of The Star, you’re in luck, on Thursday August 10th, The Star Grazing Food Tour makes its’ debut. It’s a one night only taste testing adventure through four contrasting restaurants within The Star, all of which are paired with wine, naturally.
The tour starts with Japanese, one chef hat owning restaurant Kyomi, with a glass of Moët & Chandon in hand. Chef Chase Kojima’s modern yet authentic Japanese fare is a Gold Coast favourite.
Next up you’ll experience the hawker style foods Hong Kong with a selection of delicious dumplings from Mei Wei. Watch chefs prepare handcrafted dumplings through the viewing panel and then delve into the tasty Mandarin and Cantonese flavours.
Inspired by rooftop restaurants on the Amalfi Coast, Cucina Vivo draws on traditional Italian food culture for the main course of the evening. Taste the true flavours of Italy in the handmade pasta dough as you devour the Tortelloni Ripieni filled with Mooloolaba Crab Meat paired with an Italian wine hailing from Veneto.
Last but certainly not least head to Garden Kitchen & Bar for a garden inspired dessert and an Aussie wine from the Mornington Peninsula.
It’s the perfect way to travel through four cultures in one night all while indulging in some of the best food the Coast has to offer, receiving inside information from passionate chefs and making friends with fellow foodies.
Tours commence at 6.30pm and run for approximately two hours. Cost $88; includes drink pairing at each venue.
LOCATION: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Brazilians are a passionate bunch. They are lovers of coffee, extravagant celebration and of course their native cuisine.
Luckily for us Gold Coasters, we too can celebrate the unique flavours of Brazil at Burleigh’s recently opened eatery Beleza Brazilian Food House.
The colourful, art-filled space buzzes with energy and the spicy, enticing scents wafting out the door are enough to draw you in before you’ve even spied the menu.
It’s the perfect stop in spot after a long, hard day on the beach (which is only a block away) or if you’re mid way between Mermaid and Burleigh and can’t wait a second longer for a snack.
Meat is a firm favourite in Brazilian culture and as such, almost every dish at Beleza offers exactly that. There are both small, share-style plates and larger meal options available and of course, an abundance of Brazilian beans to go around (another staple).
Since your main will no doubt be meaty, go for the Cheese Balls – made with mozzarella and parmesan – or the Tapioca Dice – cubes of tapioca and cheese – to start.
Picanha, a popular cut of beef in Brazil, is a must-try large plate made up of a grilled rump steak fillet served with rice, beans, chips and house salad. For something slightly different don’t go past the Brasileirinho – grilled chicken served with tropeiro (white) beans, rice, chips and vinaigrette.
If you’re in need of a quick snack on the go, stop in for a Coxinha – deep fried dough filled with shredded chicken.
What are you waiting for, get down to Burleigh and live it up Brazilian style for a while.
LOCATION: 1957 Gold Coast Hwy, Gold Coast
HOURS: 6am to 9pm seven days
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
It’s a time of year locals love; eating and drinking the very best of what the Gold Coast has to offer over a weekend free of judgement and filled with over-indulgence.
The Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival is on again with another jam-packed program showcasing a variety of restaurants, wineries, artists and food trucks from across the city.
Here are eight not-to-be-missed experiences to fill your days and stretch your stomachs.
Friday 2nd June
Local Flavour at Burleigh Brewing
Local flavour will combine three of the Gold Coast’s most loved elements – craft beer, street food trucks and live music from local artists – into one epic feast for the senses. There’ll also be brewery tours at set times throughout the day.
LOCATION: Burleigh Brewing, 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads
TIME: 3pm to 8pm
COST: Free
Live Art x Live Food
A night of interactive, experimental and exciting art including murals, live body art and street art all created to a soundtrack of the Gold Coast’s emerging musicians and all exploring the relationship between food and art. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of global flavours from night market stalls while exploring and engaging with artists.
LOCATION: NightQuarter, 1 Town Centre Drive, Helensvale
TIME: 4pm – 10pm
TICKETS: $3 entry to NightQuarter
7 Course Degustation
An impressive 7 course fine dining experience created by Sirromet’s Executive Chef Andrew Mirosch and Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman. Together they have put together a menu using the freshest local and seasonal produce matched perfectly with Sirromet’s award-winning wines.
LOCATION: Sirromet Winery, 850-938 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton
TIME: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
COST: $115 per person
Saturday 3rd June
Distillery Tastings
Tamborine Mountain Distillery is Australia’s most awarded distillery with more than 300 international awards. A boutique distillery hidden away in the Gold Coast hinterland they manufacture fine liqueurs, schnapps, vodka, eau de vie and liqueur chocolates, all of which you can wrap your tastebuds around as part of the festival.
LOCATION: 89 Beacon Rd, Tamborine Mountain
TIME: From 10am to 3pm
COST: $5 per tasting
The Long Table at Tamborine Mountain
Mt Tamborine is THE Gold Coast destination for foodies and wine lovers. At this event Witches Chase Cheese, Long Road Bistro, Fortitude Brewery and Heritage Wines are collaborating to celebrate the Hinterland’s unique produce. Dine at a long table with views of the cheese factory in full production while sampling award winning cheese, paté, terrines and cured meats, all paired with wine and craft beer tastings.
LOCATION: Witches Chase and Long Rd Bistro, 165-183 Long Road, Eagle Heights
TIME: From 12.30pm
COST: $55 per person
Taste of the Gold Coast – Food and Wine Tour
Experience a progressive dinner with a difference. Explore the sophistication and style reinventing the dining scene on the Gold Coast. The event will be a four-stop experience of canapés, food-making, local ingredients and wine tastings as well as a delicious five star desserts and cocktails.
LOCATION: Secret, confirmed with ticket purchase
TIME: 2pm to 7pm (approx.)
COST: $189 per person
Wine and Dining Degustation
Indulge in a stunning six course degustation at the beautifully appointed Balthazar Wine and Dining. Six courses will be perfectly matched with local and global wines, specifically selected by their expert sommelier.
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza, 2807 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
TIME: 6pm to 10pm
COST: $120 per person
Sunday 4th June
Picnic in the Park
Dine on local treats from your favourite Surfers Paradise restaurants delivered by UberEats. Pack your picnic blanket, listen to live music, share a bottle of wine and catch up with friends as the sun sets over the Gold Coast.
LOCATION: Lionel Perry Park, Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
TIME: 12pm to 8pm
COST: $2 entry
By Amy Merridan
