Ah yes, that glorious time of year where we bust out the maroon in anticipation of annihilating our cockroach foes on the footy field another epic State of Origin series. As one of the biggest spectacles on our sporting calendar gears up to stampede back onto our screens, The Star Gold Coast will be kicking few goals of its own with stellar viewing experiences slated for all three men’s and women’s stoushes.

As always, we can expect a buzzing atmosphere, frosty beverages and delicious footy fare, and of course, supersized screens at every turn to catch all the edge-of-your-seat Blues vs Maroons action! The big screens will be running red hot this year, with the women’s games hosted in the unrivalled Sports Bar surrounds on Thursday 6th and Thursday 27th of June. As will the grill, churning out burger specials to ensure your supporter stamina remains at its peak for the duration.

With Game One of the men’s series kicking off on Wednesday June 5th, choose to keep it classic with the infectious Sports Bar atmosphere, or cheer on the NRL’s best and brightest under the stars at The Lawn, Garden Kitchen & Bar. No matter your preferred vibe, you’re onto a winner here footy fans.

If you’re not so keen to rug up in your trusty supporter scarf and beanie combo, Sports Bar always delivers when it comes to game day vibes served in total style and toasty comfort… that’s kind of their whole specialty! Surrounded by an abundance of screens at which to glue your eyeballs, grab your wing men and women and soak up every minute in hi-def glory. Of course, if all that arduous spectating has you feeling depleted, they’ll be dishing up burger specials and thirst-quenching libations for the duration.

For those getting a crew of five or more together, the real play is booking yourselves a booth for the ultimate VIP-style game day experience. Available for up to ten people, $950 guarantees your group the best seats in the house with a $450 F&B tab and share-style spread of tasty bites to keep your sustenance up. With your claim staked on one of the cushy booths, you’ll receive multiple rounds of Garlic Bread and 2x All Star Platters to get stuck into, piled with chicken wings, salt & pepper calamari, mozzarella sticks, and chips. What better for tackling between triumphant cheers (and choice words… #CarnRef!).

If you’d rather revel stadium-style, catch every thrilling moment live under the night sky as The Lawn, Garden Kitchen & Bar fires up the festoon lights and jumbo screen for the occasion. If sprawling out in the lush, open-air surrounds surrounded by a sea of maroon sounds like just the ticket, why not level up your evening by pre-booking a picnic table and get your primo spot locked and loaded? Available for groups of up to ten, the pre-payment is fully redeemable on food and bev – at only $200, you’ll need to get on it like a dropped pass, Gold Coasters! Snap yours up here.

And with a winner night of Origin entertainment locked and loaded, there’s only one thing left to say… Up the maroons!

When: Men – Game 1: Wednesday, June 5th, Game 2: Wednesday, June 26th, Game 3: Wednesday, July 17th. Women – Game 2: Thursday, June 6th, Game 3: Thursday, June 27th
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Words by Kellie Leader

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

Winter is coming, but fear not. Tarte Beach House has dropped a winter menu update to make waking up on those chilly winter mornings more bearable and a whole lot tastier. Tarte Bakery has long been our old faithful, and when Tarte Beach House stormed onto the scene with its idyllic creek views and all-round aesthetic energy, we couldn’t get enough.

Like everything the team touches, the new Tarte Beach House menu is pure gold, with bold and indulgent flavours, alongside comfort eats that mix feelings of nostalgia with home-cooked goodness.

Heavily inspired by the traditions of Europe, specifically France, the menu is stuffed with winter warmers. So baby it might be getting cold outside but let me tell you things have been heating up on the new winter menu. Because we all know Tarte would never be caught dishing up anything other than best-in-show.

Remember when the most boujee part of a big brekky was door-stopper bread? Snooze. Tarte Beach House has reinvented the wheel with their Big Breakfast in Bread. Yep, IN bread. Get your fix with a sourdough boule filled with house ranchero sauce, Spanish chorizo, melted cheese and a fried egg. Consider the big brekky reinvented.

If you’re after something reel-y tasty the Grilled Barramundi will have you hook, line and sinker featuring locally caught fish, confit heirloom tomatoes, crispy capers, fresh parsley, herbed butter and lemon it’s got everything you want from a classic without compromising on big flavours.

Warm up from the inside out with the Green Curry Soup – think all the big curry flavours you crave along with sauteed prawns in chilli oil, pak choy, sugar snap peas, capsicum, crispy rice noodles and shallots – served with grilled roti, because what’s a soup if you don’t have something bread-y to dip.

Maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s just us romanticising a soup moment, but there’s something about French Onion Soup that makes us feel like we’re having a Parisian moment. Mix it with Tarte Beach House’s signature Euro-inspired décor and it’s almost like you’re actually in the city of love.

French is big on the menu with influences in dishes like the French Green Salad if you’re after something light. We cannot go past the French Beef Dip. Stuffed full of house-roasted wagyu with Swiss cheese, caramelised onion, garlic butter, chimichurri and parsley, plus house slow gravy for dipping each and every bite. This one is a winner. BRB running to Tarte Beach House to get our hands on one right now.

Sweet tooth’s look away now. The Choc Chip Cookie Skillet puts Tarte’s signature brown butter chocolate chip cookie front and centre. Just when we thought that cookie couldn’t get any better Tarte starts offering it warm in the skillet, topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to sweeten the deal. It’s hot, it’s oozy, it’s everything you want in a dessert. We won’t judge you if you have it for breakfast. Like we did! In the name of research.

Once you’ve chosen your food you’ll want to start getting acquainted with the seasonal cocktails. The Jam Gimlet with gin, house raspberry jam and lemon has our name all over it. Or catch us sipping back on the Dirty Chai Martini for a pick me up, with whisky, Mr Black, house espresso and chai.

If a warm hug in a cup is more your vibe then obviously the Mulled Wine – European style of course and the Hard Apple Cider with housemade apple juice and rum are the ultimate winter warmers.

When: 6.30am-3pm Monday – Thursday, 6.30am-5pm Friday – Sunday
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

Nestled along the shimmering shores of Sanctuary Cove, a culinary paradise awaits, beckoning food enthusiasts from all corners. Here, dining isn’t just a meal; it’s a journey through a world of flavours that will put your taste buds in a trance and set your senses into swoon mode.

Every bite tells a story, crafted by esteemed chefs who know their food like artists know their palette (or in this case, palate!). The variety of first-class fare is as extensive as it is exciting, with cuisine (and cocktails!) to satisfy every craving from the Mexican munchies, to get-in-my-belly good Greek, to wow-factor woodfire dishes.

And, if you’re a seafood buff, Sanctuary Cove is propped right on the Coomera River with access to the freshest produce, guaranteed to please even the most so-fishticated diner.

Start your day with a leisurely alfresco coffee and some bougee baked treats from the fabulously French, Rise Bakery. If you’re channelling something more substantial, tuck into a healthy brekky or brunch at Pier B Café, or a more traditional feed at Café Bravo.

Ready for your next coffee yet and obvs, it’s been at least an hour since your first, so mosey on over to Bistro 19. Dubbed ‘the best coffee in the Cove’, they also serve scrumptious insta-worthy breakfasts and lunches.

Lunch lovers are spoiled for choice, with Aussie fusion cuisine at Native Harvest, or the casual but stunning Waterside. To ‘maki’ your day, a sushi sesh at Sushi Break. There are also a variety of eateries open for both lunch and dinner, like meat and seafood icon, Red Steakhouse. Far from your average fancy-pants fine dining restaurant, it’s a modern steakhouse where you can indulge in premium cuts and clean flavours inspired by the land and complemented by the sea.

Italian lovers are eternally stanning over Ioesco Cafe & Cucina, the pin-up for traditional Neapolitan dishes with a contemporary glow-up. Imagine lofty ceilings, twinkling chandeliers and a marble bar.

For succulent seafood, meat, and veg with a Greek twist, it’s George’s Paragon for the win and if you haven’t dined here at least 87 times, are you even a Gold Coaster? While we’re talking all-things-George, George’s Paragon Pizza Wine Bar is the perf cozy pizza and wine nook for a laid-back bite and sip of vino.

Chim Thai is the spicy addition to the Sanctuary Cove scene. Blending modern twists with traditional Thai flavours, it’s ‘pho’ real the spot for a chill waterfront date day or dreamy date night.

With an emphasis on fresh produce presented simply, Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria is the chosen Juan for authentic modern Mexican. Packing more cocktails and cacti than you can poke a taco at, it’s on-trend and caliente to the core.

Chinese lovers can chopstick their way through yum cha, a la carte, and banquets fit for an emperor at Dragon Cove Chinese Restaurant, or for a fresh spin on your beloved pub grub, the sun-soaked Sanctuary Cove Tavern serves up a sensational fam-bam endorsed seasonal menu.

Which brings us to Sanctuary Cove’s signature restaurant, award-winner and foodie fave, The Fireplace at The InterContinental Sanctuary Cove. This dinner-time dazzler takes wood-fired cuisine to a whole new level, sourcing local goodies straight from the garden and giving their dishes a unique smoky sizzle in the on-site wood-fire oven. Bask in the breathtaking view of the resort’s stunning one-acre pool at the new Lagoon Beach Club where laid-back leisure, contemporary design and fun collide.

Finally, if you like your coffee or cocktails served with a side of homewares and cool factor, Destino is the destination for a sunshine and greenery infused afternoon or evening drink. Or, if a coffee and a gelato is more your style, the perfectly pink Rosé Gelateria (ice)screams insta-worthy goodness, and is a no brainer for a post-date sweetener or treat for the kiddos.

So, whether you’re a local looking for a culinary escape or a visitor craving a taste of the good life, get your flavour fix with million-dollar water and marina views at our bayside besty, Sanctuary Cove.

Words by Bianca Trathen