Exceptional seafood is something we in Australia are very lucky to be able to indulge in any time we wish. Across the country there are many regions specialising in different varieties of seafood, all of which are unique to their environment.

As lovers of edible ocean creatures, something perhaps you didn’t know is that certain types of seafood grow and taste different depending on the climate in which they are cultivated. We certainly weren’t aware.

Until we visited the very knowledgeable and talented crew at Nineteen at The Star that is. Led by Executive Chef Uday Huja, who hails from the US originally, the team at the sky-high rooftop restaurant have put together a stunning offer so we can all sample an array of oysters from across Australia and learn about how and why they’re unique depending on the region they’re from. Like you would a wine sampling, but with oysters.

It’s called the Oyster Journey and it’s a delightful experience you can and should try for yourself at the next available opportunity, all while sipping something sparkling overlooking the Gold Coast skyline.

For $32, you (and your lucky plus one) will taste three oysters each from various locations (dependent on the season) and find out exactly how different each regions’ oysters taste.

Wallis Lake in NSW for example, produces an oyster that has what is called a ‘umami’ flavour, meaning it’s neither salty or sweet but perfectly balanced, while Pambula in southern NSW offers a sweet, briney oyster and Shoalhaven, also in NSW is producing a sweet, creamy oyster and let us tell you, the difference is obvious once you taste them all in succession.

The oysters are dressed with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne Mignonette and it is one of the absolute most beautiful tastes we’ve ever sampled.

Of course, all of this will be explained to you upon delivery of your dish and you’ll be given cards with more information so you can share everything you know with your friends. We’re big fans of learning about where our food comes from, particularly when it’s of this calibre so we were very excited when Nineteen at The Star launched the Oyster Journey.

If fresh oysters aren’t your jam, delight in one of the two Roasted Oyster options straight from the charcoal oven. Never tried roasted oysters before? Neither had we, but if there’s bacon on it (which there is), we’re in.

Once you’re done with oysters, you’ll probably want to continue indulging in five star dishes and staring out at the ocean, so we highly recommend going for the Fruits De Mer, which is a chilled selection of the season’s finest seafood. And fine it is Gold Coasters.

You can choose from the Petite or Grande options with everything presented on the exquisite platter (think Moreton Bay Bugs, oysters, scallops, prawns and more) is such a flavour sensation, you’ll wonder where it’s been hiding all your life.

The next time you’re in the market for fresh Australian seafood of the highest possible quality, look no further than Nineteen at The Star. You’ll be more than satisfied and you’ll learn a thing or two while you’re at it.

Win, win.

LOCATION: Nineteen at The Star, The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach
HOURS: Dinner from 5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday and Lunch from 12pm to 3.15pm Friday to Sunday

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

For us, springtime conjures up images of long afternoons spent feasting in the garden, the sun shining overhead, friends all around (probably dressed in the prettiest of frocks) and tables laden with colourful eats and crisp glasses of wine.

Sounds divine doesn’t it? What’s even more divine is all of that without you having to even lift a finger. Which is possible with Garden Kitchen & Bar’s new Spring offering, a Greek inspired feast for two featuring all your favourite dishes.

Now as you’d know, Garden Kitchen & Bar is the epitome of the perfect Spring location for a long lunch. A light-filled space, greenery draped throughout and a spacious, grassed area at the back. It’s the exact place you’d imagine when thinking about a relaxed dining experience that’s both right in the heart of the Gold Coast and a sweet, little oasis to boot.

Add in a five-star shared feast and you’re going to want to pop that one into your schedule as soon as possible.

Running for a limited time only, the dishes are extremely flavourful and we suggest trying a little bit of everything.

There are two options, the first of which is a Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder of the highest quality (600g).

Start with the Zucchini Frites, Taramasalata Dip with focaccia, butter beans, Congo potatoes and sauces. Then on to the lamb, which is from Milly Hill and produced predominantly from individually selected, prime quality lambs raised on the productive pastures of the New England Tablelands.

All of this goodness is just $100, shared between two!

The second option is a free range Whole Roasted Chicken, again for two, also served with Zucchini Frites and Taramasalata Dip with focaccia, butter beans, Congo potatoes and sauces. The chicken is from Elgin Valley at the foot of the Glasshouse Mountains, is free range and as healthy and natural as possible.

This option is $80.

We sampled both and definitely couldn’t choose a favourite, both were immaculate.

These new shared specials are available every Sunday for lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner on Sunday and Monday 5.30pm until late. The Greek feast is only on offer until Monday October 26^th.

If you’re feeling like a spring soiree in the garden is exactly what the doctor ordered, with a side of tasty Greek dishes thrown in for good measure, Garden Kitchen & Bar is the answer.

Don’t forget it’s running for a limited time only so grab your people, pull out your prettiest frock and be on your way.

LOCATION: Garden Kitchen & Bar, Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

If you love experiencing exceptional Gold Coast dining venues from the comfort of your own home as much as we do, you’re going to want to get involved in The Star Gold Coast’s latest offering, Table for 2.

The dine-at-home experience launched in May with the venue’s popular restaurants Mei Wei Dumplings, Garden Kitchen & Bar and Kiyomi all delighting diners with multi-course share menus to be enjoyed at home. All of which, were absolutely incredible as you might expect.

Now though, The Star Gold Coast has upped-the-ante offering even more options – including Kiyomi’s award-winning sushi, Mei Wei Dumplings’ delicious array of dumplings and our favourite Italian, Cucina Vivo, has joined the party.

It’s all very exciting and because we know you’re very keen to get right onto eating it all, here’s a little rundown of what you can indulge in.

Kiyomi’s menu is available from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner from 5pm to 9pm and for the first time you can order sushi boxes to enjoy at home. Choose from the 16-piece sushi or sashimi boxes or discover Kiyomi’s newest treasure – The Chirashi Jewel Box. Further additions include Hasting River Oysters with a Japanese ponzu sauce and fresh Western Australian Black Truffles available by the gram. We’ll take all of that please.

Restaurant Executive Chef Chase Kojima and his team also have crafted an extensive menu highlighting Kiyomi’s wide array of unexpected and complex flavours for $60 per person. You can check out the full menu here.

The brand new Cucina Vivo menu is available for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 9pm and it’s a six-course offering that will take your tastebuds to the Amalfi Coast (yes please). For $95 for two people, the menu starts with a chef’s selection of Salumi with a side of buffalo mozzarella, followed by a seafood delight with local prawns, mussels and fish cooked in chilli and tomato. The hero dish is the North Rivers veal cooked in creamy Marsala, with side of Patate and Insalata Di Rucola. Dessert is a house made tiramisu with house made savoiardi, mascarpone diplomat crème, Nutella and coffee. Heavenly. Lock yours in for tonight here.

The Mei Wei Dumplings menu is available every day for dinner from 5pm to 9pm and you can now add your favourite dim sum and fried dumplings to your order. For only $35 per person, the Table for 2 menu will showcase some of the hawker-style venue’s most popular dishes including pork steamed dumplings, pork and prawn wonton soup with egg noodles, spicy kung pao chicken with dried chilli and mushroom and peanuts with vegetable fried rice. Dessert will be the deliciously light chilled mango sago cream. Put your order in here.

Garden Kitchen & Bar is also available for dinner from 5pm to 9pm, Tuesday to Sunday and for just $50 per person will offer some of their most loved dishes. Start with marinated olives, followed by two entrees of a king prawn salad served with cos lettuce, avocado and a cocktail sauce and Olympus halloumi with pickled figs. The main dish is a braised O’Connor Shortrib served with sides including broccolini with almonds and crispy roasted rosemary chat potatoes. To finish, there’s a chocolate trifle with a light crumble and fresh raspberries. Love this! Find out more here.

In addition to the ‘Table for 2’ sharing menus, The Star’s beverage team has developed a series of hand-crafted cocktails perfect for pairing with the meals including a Japanese Margarita with El Jimador Tequila, Cointreau, Yuzu Juice and Agave, and a Cold-Brew Martini with Sesame Infused Ketel One Vodka, Tia Maria and Coffee.  A beverage list including wines, beers and premium spirits will also be on offer.

For the entire month of August you can get free delivery by using the code IGCFree

How good!

Don’t miss the chance to experience The Star Gold Coast’s incredible culinary offerings from the comfort of your own home, we certainly will be.

LOCATION: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST