Worldclass Portuguese Tarts for everyone.
Worldclass Portuguese Tarts for everyone.
In what might just be the most perfect start to any week in the history of weeks, the team behind Gold Coast favourites Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse (love y’all) have opened a new venue and we are happy dancing all over the place.
Its called Custard Canteen (another winner in the name department) and as of right now, it can be found at Talle Creek within the Recreation Centre complex and oh yes friends, it’s the goods.
You won’t miss the newbie, red and white striped flags are dotted throughout the expansive garden area and of course there will be heavenly scents wafting out from within.
Pull up a seat on one of the two outdoor decks, under said umbrellas or lay out a picnic rug and kick back on the grass with your furry mate (or your regular mate). There are flowers and plants everywhere and it’s a little garden oasis complete with some of the very best eats around.
Let’s discuss those shall we. Now as you’d know, if you’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling any of the teams’ other goodies (if you haven’t, are you even a Gold Coaster) they’re the very best around. A WHOLE LOT of research goes into every single thing Ben, Ursula and their crew create to ensure consistent perfection.
Which is exactly what you’re going to experience at Custard Canteen, particularly in the form of their hero product, Portuguese Tarts. Heaven on Earth you guys.
So they’re layers of crisp, pastry encasing warm, sweet love-of-our-lives custard that kind of explodes in your mouth when you bite into it. In the most amazing possible way obviously.
Besides those, there are Almond Croissant Tarts, which are indeed tart versions of their famous Almond Croissants and gooey, melty cookies that are the love of our lives also.
If you’re in the market for a savoury something, there’s a whole menu for that too. From the Butter Boy (their little mascot) Benny with streaky bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise on a puff pastry parcel to their (also famous) Prawn Po Boy with crispy buttermilk prawns, salad things and remoulade on a milk hoagie, it’s all delightful.
Oh and there’s also exceptional Bacon and Egg Rolls and a must-try French Toast Toastie which is a sourdough Monte Cristo with ham, Swiss cheese, maple and cinnamon sugar. Plus burgers and a hot dog and all your favourite roll-off-the-sand treats.
So basically all you need to do is frolic in Talle Creek, pop over for some goodies, rinse and repeat. Best time ever.
Custard Canteen, what are you waiting for Gold Coasters?
LOCATION: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Daily 6.30am until 2.30pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There are very few things in the world we love more than baked treats and in particular, those crafted by people who love them as much as we do (probably more in fact).
So, it is with as much happiness as we can possibly muster, that we bring you this tale. It’s a tale of next-level baked goods, made by the best in the business and, as of this very day (November 7th) they are yours for the tasting.
After what feels like a lifetime of waiting (for them mostly, but also us, the baked goods lovers) Cubby BakeHouse swung open their stylin’ doors in Chinderah today and if anything has ever been worth the wait, it is this.
The southern newbie is the work of Ursula and Ben Watts, of Bam Bam Bakehouse fame, so you know it’s worth the (actually quite short) drive down to Chindy.
The space is directly opposite the Tweed River with a delightful little breeze blowing over to take the edge of this unnecessarily scorching heat we’re currently experiencing.
As you would expect, Cubby is both cosy and stylish with an intricately tiled floor reminiscent of a pretty puzzle, wooden furniture accents and a few perfectly placed pieces that give a nod to the local area and the Bakehouse’s laidback, waterview vibes.
An antique bakers’ trolley is home to some cascading greenery, a high ceiling with exposed beams pays homage to the original bakery tenants (over 100 years ago) and repurposed Tweed River crab pots made into light fixtures complete the picture. The style is similar to that of Bam Bam’s but the little space certainly has a charm all it’s own.
Now let’s get to the part we’re all most excited about shall we?
The menu is an absolute dream and that cabinet stocked with freshly made baked goodies is all the best things in the world.
The star of the show at Cubby, in terms of sweet treats, is the Vanilla Slice and thank you food Gods for you have truly smiled upon us. It’s light and soft and sweet and melt-in-your-mouth and we love it so much.
Savoury-wise, the baguette is your new best friend. Ben travelled to France for what he can actually claim to be work, to learn the art of baguette making from a French baker and of course, he absolutely nailed it.
Baguettes are scattered throughout dishes on the menu and every single one is constantly being batched as they say (baked to us regular folks) throughout the day. Every single thing in the place is actually.
Meaning baguettes, breads and sweet treats will always be of the freshest, crispiest, most delicious variety. Because that is how they do.
Oh and another absolute delight is the Banh Mi which comes in, get this, Karaage Chicken and Pork flavours and probably get one of each.
You may also pop in, grab a coffee and a baggy (as baguettes are affectionately known there), some cheese and some salami from the cabinet and head across to the river for a DIY picnic. But also go back for dessert afterwards.
It’s happy days down south a smidge guys, pop it on your weekend to do list and don’t forget to bring us back some samples.
Ta, bye.
LOCATION: 162 Chinderah Bay Drive, Chinderah
HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday 5.30am to 3pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Not long ago, Bam Bam Bakehouse decided to blow us all away by announcing they were opening Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for dinner.
Bam Bam is no secret hot spot. There is a constant explosion of people lining up to taste one of their delicious strawberry tarts or signature Bam Bam Benny’s. In fact, tables fill up so quickly that Bam Bam has started handing out picnic blankets and delivering baskets to people willing to really soak up the alfresco dining experience in the adjacent park.
So when announcing they were opening for dinner, we couldn’t wait to see if the menu was worth gathering the squad for.
Looking over the quiet park at night, the atmosphere in the venue is warm and private. The decor hints French countryside meets New York industrial. Think fresh flowers and delicate tiles contrasted by recycled timber and a mixed height tables paired with metal stools. Twinkling candle light gives an eternal dusky mood while the warmth from the outdoor heaters will keep the winter chill at bay.
The distinction between the day/night menu is clear with the Asian additions like Steamed White Fish Dumplings made fresh with shitake mushrooms and Coconut Prawns battered in Stone & Wood. The Katsu Sando with panko dumbed chicken schnitzel, white cabbage, house Tonkatsu sauce and Paddock Bakery Scotch loaf is irresistible. If you didn’t know, Paddock and Bam Bam are sister restaurants. Paddock makes the breads and Bam Bam makes the sweets and then they swap. But back to food, the Thai Beef Salad featuring hot smoked beef, roasted peanuts and Naam jim is perfect for a lighter taste explosion. If you want to bust out the big guns (which we suggest you do) you’ve got to get a side of the Special Soft Shell Crab Chinese Fried Rice with your order. Put a little Sriracha on the side to detonate serious flavour.
On Thursdays be sure to hit up Holy Schnit! night featuring $18.90 Chicken Parmi, rocket salad, chips and a Stone & Wood (what a deal!).
Since dinner is only served Thursday – Sunday it would be a sin not to indulge in at least one of their cocktails. The Elderflower Margarita is a best seller, but we thought the Midori & Cointreau cocktail, the classic Japanese Slipper really packed a punch! The Ink Gin & Tonic is just so pretty too.
As Bam Bam Bakehouse is a patisserie by day, it’s unacceptable to leave without trying one of their Sweet Thangs. The interactive Choux Bomb Sundae is truly the way to go. Crispy choux pastry, crunchy praline croustillant, caramelised hazelnuts, vanilla soft serve and a pour-it-yourself nutella hot fudge sauce is a flavour combination so deadly, we can’t guarantee you won’t die of happiness.
Monday – Sunday – breakfast / lunch 7:00am – 3:00pm
Thursday – Sunday – snacks 2:00pm – 5:00pm, dinner 5:00pm – late
2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The magical Miami wonderland that is Paddock Bakery can’t stop, won’t stop creating mouthwatering foodie masterpieces (and spaces to consume them in).
Just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be any more ways to impress us, everyone’s favourite leafy oasis goes and opens a sweet little, goodie-filled Milk Bar.
A big old louvered window swings skyward in the back corner of the garden so you can peek in over the bar and watch the magic unfold. It’s a nod to the milk bars of old and perfectly at home with glossy green tiles and understated copper adornments dotted about.
The space has been a few months in the making with Paddock’s owner Chloe taking the time to perfect the milkshake and smoothie flavours now available for your sipping pleasure.
And perfect them she did friends. As with everything Chloe and the team create, these are no ordinary milkshakes. They are blow-your-mind, how-is-this-even-possible milkshakes and please, allow us to elaborate.
First of all there’s the Coco Pops milkshake, which is made with, you guessed it, Coco Pops milk and decorated with Nutella and more crunchy Coco Pops. Then there’s the Cookie Monster made with vanilla bean milk and topped with Paddock’s famous cookies (be still our hearts).
The Doughnut Shake is doughnut-flavoured milk (see, mind blown) topped with a semi-sourdough doughnut bot and Paddock’s doughnut chips. Seriously, how.
The fun doesn’t stop there of course – there’s also Strawberries and Cream, S’mores and Salted Caramel flavours and each has a magical little Paddock twist.
If smoothies are more your thang, you may choose from five epic flavours of those guys including Acai, Banana, Mango and Coconut (YUM), Junky Monkey and the Greenie.
Chloe’s reasoning behind opening another incredible section was completing the brunch picture and the people of the Gold Coast are eternally grateful.
So, here’s what you need to do: once you arrive at Paddock, go inside and order at least three pastries (plus an extra to take home for later), head down to the Milk Bar and choose your milkshake then pull up a seat in the garden, kick back and give thanks that Paddock Bakery came into our lives.
Hallelujah. The end.
LOCATION: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami
HOURS: 7.30am to 2.30pm Thursday to Monday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
