Nights in sorted.
Nights in sorted.
We are all about the good news and sometimes we’re lucky enough to bring extra good news. Which is exactly what’s happening here.
As you’ve no doubt noticed, local venues have been forced to transform the way they operate and many of them are absolutely getting it done.
We’re being offered takeaway from places we could never get takeaway before, there’s home delivery services, in-store grocery boxes, meals you can pop in the freezer and cook yourself later, the innovation has been next level and we have never been prouder to be Gold Coasters.
Go team.
Perhaps the very best thing to come from all this pivoting is the fact that we can now also purchase takeaway tipples to go with our dinner and that is something worth celebrating (or writing about, since here we are).
New rules came into effect last week (didn’t they what) whereby venues are allowed to offer alcohol with takeaway food only and that includes bottled or canned beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink bevs, such as premixed spirits. A maximum of 2.25 litres of alcohol applies which seem like enough for one eve. Probably.
One of our favourite things to see at the moment is people who miss nights out (everyone) ordering takeaway dinners and opening up the boot of their car or sitting in the tray of their ute and devouring their dinner and drinks right outside the venue they got it from.
It’s almost (if you squint your eyes a bit) like being inside amongst the frivolity.
Anyway. There are several on board with the takeaway tipples side of things and we’ll add more as we come across them.
To begin;
The North Room in Mermaid Beach have created beautiful bento boxes, made even better with a bottle of wine or two. The boxes vary each week but recent treats have included: ‘Fremantle octopus, eggplant, lovage’, ‘Pork Jowl, rhubarb, peanuts, squash’, ‘Mud crab, bone marrow crumpet, cultured cream, salted egg yolk’, ‘Sprout, macadamia, yeast salad’ and a sweet treat of ‘PORK FAT CARAMEL WITH SEA SALT’. You can order by phone on 0468 311 003 or email [email protected]
Etsu Izakaya are offering their unrivalled Japanese dining menu along with wine and beers to make your night something extra special. It’s 20% off all takeaway at the moment and you can view the menu here.
Rabbath in Burleigh Heads serve up exceptional Lebanese food and have created a superb weekly takeaway menu that’s offered with paired beer or wine parings. View this weeks menu and order online here.
Restaurant Labart, also in Burleigh, have created a unique takeaway menu including lip smacking dishes like Confit Salmon, Quail Coq Au Vin or Chicken Parmigiana that all go perfectly with their selection of natural wines and local beers. Check out and order from their weekly menu here.
Rick Shores have reworked their menu into Ricks Tuk Shop pop-up in these unusal times. Most of their famous menu is available online and they can even deliver direct to your car out the front. While you’re in the hood, you may as well sample some of their excellent wines to go along with it. Menu is online here.
At Jimmy Wah’s you can sample a bundle of delicious goodies including a starter, main and a bottle of wine for $60. They completely sold out of their wine and dine takeaway menu this week, but stay tuned here for future selections.
For our southern friends, Tasca in Coolangatta are not only hand making some of the very freshest pasta you’ve ever sampled, they’ve also added wine to their takeaway menu. Buy already prepared or takehome to cook yourself from their Larder selection. View and order from their menu here.
So you see, there’s no reason we can’t all enjoy the local dining experiences we know and love, albeit in a slightly different way than we’re used to.
Get on board friends, it’s a good time.
Burleigh Heads is on absolute fire with venues swinging open their doors left and right, much to the delight of locals who apparently can’t get enough of tasty eats and bunkering down somewhere warm with a wine in hand (same to be honest).
The latest eatery to grace us with its’ presence is Restaurant Labart (opening tonight), a stylish space on Burleigh’s West Street, where Burleigh Chinese once lived. It’s simple sophistication at its finest and unlike anything the Gold Coast has seen before.
Which is of course, due to the fact that Restaurant Labart is the work of Sydneysiders Karla and Alex Munoz Labart who bring quite the impressive rap sheet to our beachside city.
But first, the interior. The narrow space is beautifully designed with walnut leather bench-style seating lining the walls and not-quite-khaki paneling with dark wood furniture and low-hanging lighting completing the picture. The vibe is earthy, refined and understated and we quite like it thank you very much.
The menu is, happily, the star of the show and that is a concept close to our hearts (and tummies). It’s made up of snacks (best) and both small and large share plates all of which are absolute taste sensations.
To share we recommend the BBQ King Prawns with shellfish butter, crème fraiche and finger lime and the Veal Tartare with sun-dried tomatoes, tarragon and potato crisps.
The large plates are all kinds of goodness and in particular the Seared Mulloway with peas, dill and horseradish and the Grilled Lamb Rack with charred turnips and green herb sauce should make you happy.
For dessert (OUR FAVOURITE) Chocolate Mousse with popcorn ice cream and salted popcorn is probably the most exciting dish there is in the world. Keep that one coming please.
You may also indulge in a cheese plate and if that’s not enough to have you making a reservation right this minute, please explain.
To compliment the stand out menu, a carefully curated selection of wines (including biodynamic and natural choices) along with Australian craft beers and seasonal cocktails are on offer to delight your tastebuds.
As mentioned owners Karla and Alex made the move from down south where Alex was the Head Chef at famed Sydney venues Monopole and Cirrus Dining, both of which were awarded Chefs Hats during his tenure.
Restaurant Labart is their first venture and, with the philosophy of aiming to simply make people happy, they’re sure to fit in just fine around these parts.
Excuse us, we’re off to consume all the chocolate mousse before the rest of you get your hands on any.
The end.
LOCATION: 8 West St, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: Dinner Wednesday to Saturday 6pm until 11:30pm. Lunch Friday to Sunday, 12 until 3 pm
Words by Kirra Smith. Photos supplied – interior shots by Andy MacPherson – food images via Restaurant Labart.
So there’s a few ways this stay-at-home business can go. One is that we all eat too much and lay on the floor thinking about all the things we should be doing instead.
The other is that we stay inside but also make inside our new world, bar crawls are now rooms-of-your-house crawls, Friday drinks are FaceTime drinks and exercise will also likely be an inside job.
Which is why we’re all here today. To discuss Gold Coast exercise-based businesses who have taken things online so that we may all stay fit while we have to stay inside.
VIP Lockdown Machine Squad
Run by local legends Machine Life, the online squad is $25 p/w with live daily workouts that can be accessed anytime on your phone or computer, using just your body weight, tips and tricks from the trainers (Jesse and Alyse) and an online community to support you through this time. Trainers help with technique, nutritional guidelines, motivation and accountability so that there’s no slacking off plus you get healthy recipes, live chats, team challenges and tailored workouts for all fitness levels. Join here.
Pilates by Lisa
One Gold Coast gal who has been doing the online thing for quite some time is Lisa, of Pilates by Lisa. Who is offering online pilates classes for all levels of fitness that you can (and should) absolutely get involved in from the comfort of your home with a FREE 10 day trial! Find them here.
Ritual Yoga and Pilates
The ladies at Palmy’s Ritual Yoga & Pilates are in the process of creating an online hub for yoga and pilates classes. They also offer pilates barre classes so you can get that booty all peachy for when we’re allowed outside again. Stay up to date with their progress here.
Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts
Here’s one for the kiddies – CAPA have taken their dances classes online so that’s one way for the little ones to burn some energy. Not to mention they’ll have fun and possibly learn a new skill while they’re at it. Check it out here.
Emily Skye Fitness
No doubt you’ve heard of Emily Skye, she’s been online for a long time now but she offers quite the array of workouts to keep you fit and fabulous. She’s a personal trainer so there’s lots of strength-based workouts, weights and body-weight based exercise. Plenty of variety. Find out more here.
Fluidform Pilates
Full body strength and conditioning is the name of the game at Fluidform Pilates with classes created to have a meaningful and positive impact. Of course, there are all manner of pilates classes on offer and creator Kirsten King is a former Gold Coaster. Get involved here.
We’ll keep updating as we find out about more business moving online but in the meantime, keep moving and take care of yourselves.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There are many good things coming out of being stuck at home for extended periods of time. First, hilarious memes. Second, your friends making ridiculous videos of all the ridiculous things they’re doing and third, pets
We can all be thankful for pets and all of their fluffy, cuddly and loving goodness. Don’t have a pet? No worries. You can (and absolutely should) adopt one from one of the many local adoption centres across the Coast and doing so is more affordable than ever.
For example Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) have absolutely slashed their prices so you can adopt a cuddly kitty for just $29, dogs and puppies are $99. There are also guinea pigs, birds and fowls available for adoption.
The best part is, they need you as much as you need them right now.
There’s also an adoption centre called Precious Paws Animal Rescue and prices are based on each potential pet.
If you head to either website, you can check out the pets available for adoption, choose your new best friend and go from there.
Animals are one of the very best things you can have around you to lift your mood, make funny videos and take photos to send to your friends.
Plus, they need a home too.
So what are you waiting for. Jump online now and find yourself a furry, forever best friend.
Words by Kirra Smith
