Catch up on all those new Gold Coast venues you may have missed.
Catch up on all those new Gold Coast venues you may have missed.
So January was a tough year but we made it. Now it’s February (always) so you know what that means?
It’s time to wrap up everything we covered last month so you can tick a few more newbies off your list. Here we go.
My French Pastries
We always do a little happy dance when a new patisserie opens on the Gold Coast and especially when that new patisserie is filled with fancy French goodies that we could eat all day long. Which is exactly what’s happening at Robina’s new My French Pastries. Perfect sweet treats for solo indulging purposes or if you need someone very good to cater an event.
Where: Robina Quays Shopping Centre, 5/361 Robina Parkway, Robina
Orzo
The good people who gifted us Social Eating House + Bar opened a decadent newbie in early January and we are very much in love. Orzo is fine Italian fare with a focus on fresh, very high quality seafood and with an excellent wine and cocktail list to match. It’s absolutely stunning and one you definitely need to sample ASAP.
Where: Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
The Rusty Barrel
Varsity Lakes was gifted something quite special in the form of The Rusty Barrel, a whisky bar and eatery unlike anything they’ve seen in those parts before. There are both–share-style and keep-to-yourself-style dishes and a cocktail menu filled with very delicious sips and we quite liked every single one. It’s tucked away with a nice little gardeny vibe and it’s the perfect addition to the Varsity CBD.
Where: 11/228 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes
Custard Canteen
The team behind Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse did it again with the opening of their newbie Custard Canteen. An exceptional Talle Creek newbie specialising in yes, Portugese custard tarts that are some of the most delicious things we’ve ever put in our mouths. Of course, they have a full brekky and lunch menu, coffees and other sweet treats and absolutely everything is life changing.
Where: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
Fresh out of Brisbane came Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, serving up some of the tastiest gnocchi around in lots of epic flavours. The team are creating fresh, handmade gnocchi using the finest fresh local produce, to create delicious light and fluffy potato gnocchi and quality traditional sauces cooked using ‘old school’ methods and it’s the goods. Get up there.
Where: Smith Collective, Nexus Way, Southport
The Jolly Roger
So Keto fish and chips are a thing and you can eat them at Miami’s new fish and chippery, The Jolly Roger. They also have other varieties of delicious seafood treats, all fresh, local and cooked to perfection. You can get grilled prawn skewers and salad, some of the absolute best calamari around and of course, yummy burgers. The best part could be perhaps the beer on tap you can sip while you’re waiting for your order. How good.
Where: 3/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami
Bar Espana
It had been quite some time since the Coast had seen a quality Spanish restaurant but January brought one in the form of Bar Espana and aren’t we happy it did. The newbie serving up authentic cuisine like a Paella dish absolutely packed with fresh seafood plus share-style eats like Grilled Chorizo, Chargrilled Lamb Skewers and Peruvian Ceviche of Kingfish. Wash those down with some yummy sangria and it’s a good time. Definitely try this one Gold Coasters.
Where: Broadbeach Mall, The Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach
Boudoir Lounge
A beautiful new bar opened up Southport way by the name of Boudoir Lounge and it’s the perfect spot for a sophisticated little soiree with the gals. Not only that good time though, there’s also a beauty bar within the venue where you can get your hair and makeup done whilst sipping plus lots of tasty dishes to indulge in too. It’s a stunning space and one we see ourselves frequenting as often as possible.
Where: 410/1 Como Cres, Southport
Words by Kirra Smith
Well the last few days of healthy eating were fab(ish) but we’re done with that and you will be too once you see what rolled into Robina on Christmas Eve.
It’s called My French Pastries and it’s the perfect way to kick off our 2020 food tour of the Gold Coast because as everybody knows, pastries are life and French pastries are even better than that.
The newbie isn’t technically all that new – husband and wife duo Jen and Antonio Marchesi have been baking authentic treats from home for the last few years, selling via an online page and wholesaling to local cafes.
Lucky for us, they decided to open their very own café at Robina Quays so we can pop in every single day for a sweet, indulgent treat (or two).
Antonio has been a pastry chef for 17 years and Jen is French, which is obviously the perfect combination. The pair decided they wanted to create a place that felt exactly the same as walking into a French patisserie with authentic, simple and quality eats and here we all are.
How good.
Everything is made from scratch using the very best produce (Belgian chocolate for example) and it’s extremely delicious.
So what can you eat?
Well sweet goodies like Key Lime Chantilly, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry and Chocolate tarts, which are both beautiful and very yummy.
There’s also Flan Patissier, which is the French equivalent of a custard tart, French Apple Turnovers, croissants (SO GOOD) and Croque Monsieur; a baked ham and cheese sandwich that will probably change your life.
So all the greatest buttery, sugary things.
Pop in for a coffee and a sit down or grab one of everything to take home and enjoy in peace.
Happy days Robina, we’ll be seeing you very soon.
LOCATION: Robina Quays Shopping Centre, 5/361 Robina Parkway, Robina
HOURS: Tuesday 6.30am until 2.30pm, Wednesday to Friday 6.30am until 3pm and Saturday 7am until 2pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There aren’t many things that are the first of their kind on the Gold Coast these days, particularly when it comes to eateries.
The one thing we absolutely didn’t have but absolutely did need was a dedicated gnoccheria but as they say, good things come to those who wait and here we are to discuss exactly that.
It’s called Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers and it comes to us from Brisbane where it is an extremely popular eatery dedicated entirely to (you guessed it) gnocchi.
Starting as a market stall it was the first of its kind in Australia and there are now two venues in Brisbane plus one for us, which opened recently in Southport.
The idea was to create fresh, handmade gnocchi using the finest fresh local produce, to create delicious light and fluffy potato gnocchi and quality traditional sauces cooked using ‘old school’ methods following secret family recipes. How good.
And that is indeed what you can expect at the newbie, found at Smith Collective in Southport. It’s an intimate space with an open kitchen (for catching all the delicious pasta scents), bench-seating overlooking the street and a few booths and tables if you’re going with the gang. It’s a bright, welcoming space perfect for spending a bit of time consuming all of the delicious dishes you can possibly fit in.
Which brings us to the menu.
To start there are small dishes along the lines of gourmet olives, vegetable chips, truffled salted chips with aioli, calamari and Italian Mopping Bread which is both the best name for a dish ever and designed to ensure you don’t waste a drop of the sauce that comes on your gnocchi. Italians are so smart.
For mains there are six types of gnocchi including Traditional Beef Bolognaise, Creamy Basil Pesto, Wild Mushroom and Truffle, Pork and Fennel Italian Sausage, Creamy Lobster and Barramundi and Spicy Cherry Tomato and Black Olive and let us tell you, they all taste (and smell) like they were imported directly from heaven.
Try every single one.
Dessert-wise there is Sicilian Ricotta Cannoli, Nonna’s Lemon Cake, Classic Italian Tiramisu and Panna Cotta with Raspberry or Passionfruit dressing.
To drink there are Italian beers, wines and cocktails and after dinner digestifs and all of those are an absolute delight obviously.
So, if Italian food is the love of your life (same) don’t miss out on this tasty treat. It’ll gnocchi your socks off. Sorry but it will.
LOCATION: Smith Collective, Nexus Way, Southport
HOURS: 12pm until 9.30pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There are very few things that bring more pleasure than a night out with the girls, sipping on cocktails in a stunning, new bar. Throw in some tasty eats and oh, the opportunity to have your makeup, hair and nails done while sipping on said cocktails at said bar and you’ve got yourself the perfect evening.
Enter Southport’s brand new sipping spot, Boudoir Lounge and all of the above activities, which can be enjoyed simultaneously there. How fun.
Found on Como Cres in what’s quickly becoming a thriving little section of Sopo (as the kids call it), Boudoir Lounge opened recently to rave reviews thanks to a new concept and a beautifully put together space perfect for outings with your lady loves.
The space itself is filled with colour and boasting somewhat of a sleek, industrial vibe with velvet lounges and booth, gold accents and striking gold bar that stretches from floor to ceiling.
Owner Harvey Gebara set out to create a playground for women focusing on a unique experience, personalised service and exceptional quality and that is indeed what you can expect from Boudoir Lounge.
As mentioned, a beauty bar can be found within the venue and isn’t that a good time. Choose from hair washing and styling, facials, brow waxing and shaping, manicures and pedicures and makeup touch ups or go for the full experience and book yourself a (very affordable) package to kick off the night right.
Now while all that is happening you can nibble on Mediterranean little plates of goodness like Lightly Cured Beetroot Sashimi, Middle Eastern Spiced Squid and House Made Chickpea Falafels. All very delicious.
If you’re after something a bit more filling, there are large plates like Greek Inspired Chicken Skewers, Hand Rolled Beef Rissoles and Fresh Baked Fish with Tahini Sauce. There are also desserts and cheese plates and it’s all very lovely.
To drink, a perfectly curated cocktail menu with sips like the Boudoir Betty; made up of Pillars Gin, citrus and topped with sparkling, Carrie On with Four Pillars Gin, passionfruit and homemade ginger syrup and Maple Miley, a rich, flavoursome old fashioned that will definitely hit the spot. Rihanna, Gwenyth and Audrey all make an appearance too #yeahthegirls.
So there’s all of that AND the space can be rented for events with plenty already locked down including women’s empowerment breakfasts, wedding and baby showers (because a beauty bar + cocktails = perfection) and a Galentine’s event that includes canapés, and a beauty package for just $89.
All the things you love most are happening at Boudoir Lounge ladies, lucky Southport. Gather the gals and get in there.
LOCATION: 410/1 Como Cres, Southport
PHONE: (07) 5528 1104
HOURS: Bar and Restaurant; 12pm to 12am daily. Beauty Bar; 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday (plus special event nights).
WEBSITE: https://www.boudoirlounge.com.au/
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
