All in one festive destination.
All in one festive destination.
It’s one of the very best times of year Gold Coasters; the twinkling trees are up, the gift wrap is out in force at stores you didn’t know sold gift wrap and the frantic energy is ramping up, all in anticipation of a day filled with eating, laughing and unwrapping.
Yes, it’s almost Christmas time and we are absolutely here for it. If there’s one part of Christmas Day we are absolutely not here for though, it is the cooking of all the things and (obviously moreso) the cleaning of even more things.
It’s a waste of good time that could otherwise be spent sipping frosty beverages and laying on the couch in a food coma.
Which has been made possible thanks to The Star Gold Coast, who have put together an array of enticing celebrations so you can simply arrive, eat delicious dishes and go home to lay on the couch in said food coma.
Let’s begin.
Option one consists of a festive Christmas buffet (music to our ears) in The Star Gold Coast’s beautifully themed ballroom. You get a three-hour beverage package, the kids get a gift and the big guy in the red suit will make an appearance too. There’ll be a live band and roving entertainment and it sounds WAY better than anything that would happen at our house.
Tickets are $266.50 per person for adults and children (5-12 years) are $108.05 per person. So there’s that.
You’re next choice is also a buffet (because buffets are life) at Harvest Buffet, complete with the freshest seafood, hot and cold meats, pizza, pasta, salads, soups, desserts, all of the things. The three-hour beverage package includes local beers and wines and there will also be a visit from Santa. Busy guy.
You may attend for lunch or dinner, or both, should you be a bottomless pit, and prices are $236.67pp for adults and children 5-12 years are $102.90pp, 3-4 years are $56.60pp and under two years are free. At dinner, adults are 195.50pp, children 5-12 years are $97.75pp, 3-4 years are $51.45pp and under two years are free.
The last, but certainly not least option is an Asian set menu at Imperial at The Star and it’s a beauty. Focusing on highlighting traditional flavours, ingredients and cooking styles from different regions of China, internationally trained Executive Chef of Asian Cuisine – Chef Song Yao Su – has developed a menu that you’ll remember for many Christmases to come.
That’s a lunchtime only option and for adults it will be $113.20pp, children 5-12 years are $77.17pp, 3-4 years are $41.15pp and under two years are free.
So. If you’re after the best Christmas time on the Coast, we’ve just given you three excellent options so you know what to do.
Find more information here and happy relaxing on a day when nobody else is relaxing.
You’re welcome.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
Words by Kirra Smith
If you’re eating out, why settle for a single paltry dish, when you could be taking your pick from a bacchanalian spread that would put a party thrown by Greek gods to shame?
Since we’re all in agreement that more is always more, let’s talk buffets. And the newest one set to satisfy even the most insatiable of appetites is Harvest Buffet, now open at The Star Gold Coast.
In its former life as Food Fantasy, the venue was perennially popular with both locals and visitors alike. But now in its latest incarnation, Harvest Buffet more than delivers on its promises of a world-class buffet experience that’s bigger, better and even more beautiful (poolside views, anyone?).
With a fresh new face and expanded capacity for 500 fellow foodies, the six months of renos to Harvest have resulted in a complete revamp that’s more than skin deep. Now literally one of the largest buffet offerings in South East Queensland, Harvest offers a cornucopia of the freshest seafood and fantastic fare from around the world, guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.
So if you’ve got a group of friends who can never agree on where to eat, want to earn back that belt notch on cheat day, or need somewhere to take that pain-in-the-butt person we all know – who should be a size zero given the number of food groups they’ve sworn themselves off…but strangely isn’t – then Harvest is your go-to option to tick all boxes.
We’ve mentioned the trawler-fresh seafood selection – always going to be a hit – but you’ll find new favourites to feast on at the carvery station. Be sure to try the distinctive, smoke-licious grilled meat dishes from the South American style Parilla Grill while you’re in carnivore mode too.
But wait, there’s more! Not one, but two live kitchen stations, both of the Asian persuasion. The Chinese BBQ and Asian stations are a master stroke of the redesign and allow diners to interact with the culinary maestros behind the menu, instead of keeping them hidden away in the kitchens like some unappreciated 50s housewife.
But shoosh for a second there finicky eaters, we’re still not finished. Harvest also offers Roman style pizzas with a thicker, chewier crust, fresh from the oven, and a selection of house-made pastas.
Finally, if you’re the type of hedonist that heads straight for the desserts (no shame in that!), you’ll have fun with the Wonka-esque two metre tall chocolate fountain and display of decadent desserts that are basically begging to be dunked or drenched in the aforementioned melted, chocolatey goodness. (Feeling like a little food-nap just thinking about it? Yeah, we are too.)
Finally, the days of settling for single serves is over!
Harvest Buffet is now open at The Star, so get down there and feast to your heart’s content friends!
LOCATION: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
HOURS: Harvest Buffet is now open 7 days a week for breakfast (6.30am-10am), lunch (11.30am-2.30pm) and dinner (Sunday-Friday 5.30pm-late and Saturday 5pm-late).
By Camilla Jones
