Sophistication, pub-style for Paradise Point.
Sophistication, pub-style for Paradise Point.
It’s always a good time when we get to venture to the Gold Coast’s northern-most suburbs to indulge in a little fancier than usual eats overlooking the pretty Paradise Point waterways.
The latest venue to join the fray is The Local, found on The Esplanade and forever reminding us of summer holidays filled with good times and even better eats.
The space has been beautifully decked out with high tables and a relaxed, low-lit vibe inside and a huge area out the front for those who want the very best view. It boasts a little bit of a vintage vibe with plenty of greenery placed throughout and big wide windows to welcome in that sweet, salty sea breeze.
The menu is as good as any we’ve seen, packed with all your favourites, each with a bit of a sophisticated spin. There are two options when ordering, the first is tapas-style goodness when sharing is the aim of the game and the second is more of a meal-for-one style situation that probably has an actual name we aren’t aware of
Of the tapas options, we would NEVER EVER go past a Charcuterie Board and this one is perhaps the most delightful we’ve ever seen, all artfully placed meats and smoked almonds and berries and tasty things we’ve never sampled before. How people put those boards together so magically is absolutely beyond us but aren’t we happy they do. Definitely order that one.
The Popcorn Prawns and Truffle Arancini are also absolute taste sensations.
Now, the mains. There is a Wagyu Beef Burger that is up there with the greatest burgers of all time and the Chicken Parmigiana is as big as (if not bigger than) your head and good luck finishing that.
Throughout the week there are themed foodie nights, Family Date Night on Tuesday’s with a $50 feast for four, Wagyu Wednesday’s including that epic burger above and Friyay’s, which includes oysters.
At lunchtime every week day there’s a $25 lunch special with a house beer or wine and let us stress, this is not your average pub food, it is actual next-level (to correctly use a phrase we may slightly overuse).
Not only exceptional eats though, The Local is the only venue in the area with a live music license and that is a very good thing. There are solo acoustic sets Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the crew are keen to host up and coming musicians should you know anyone who would love to show their work to the good people of Paradise Point.
Soon The Local will host whiskey tasting sessions and girls nights filled with cocktails and frivolity so keep your eyeballs peeled for those fun times.
Owners Natalie and Mark have been locals for over a decade, and they own Café Seven just down the way, so they know what’s up in more ways than one.
Get there guys, this is a good one.
LOCATION: 44 The Esplanade, Paradise Point
HOURS: 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
We’ve got it on good authority that every brunch in the UK is a boozy one. We’re all for that obviously and it’s come to our attention that there simply aren’t enough boozy brunches in our lives.
Luckily, we’ve found a couple of lads who share our thoughts and they have come to the rescue. Said lads are Pete Jeary and Clark Lynn, a UK born pair who, in the last few days, opened brand new brunch spot Cross + Feather in Paradise Point and (you guessed it) they’re big fans of a tipple or two at brunch too.
Found on Grice Ave, just off the main drag in the delightful waterfront suburb, Cross + Feather is a pared back, intimate space all moody hues and hanging greenery and one of the very best pieces of art we’ve ever laid eyes on. You can choose to sit up at the bar and watch Pete make magic via cocktails and also gaze lovingly at the copper bar or, outside on the street to people watch and soak up that (very necessary right now) ocean breeze.
As mentioned, Pete and Clark hail from the UK but more importantly, they met at much-loved (and really quite famous) restaurant Hawksmoor where Pete invented a cocktail called Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew and dubbed it ‘a turbo-shandy for the discerning drinker’ which is still served there today, won a slew of high profile awards AND (most importantly) is now served right here on the Gold Coast. At Cross + Feather. Obviously.
It’s made with Beefeater Gin; blended with fresh lemon and house-made ginger syrup and topped with Roger’s Amber Ale and it is possibly the zestiest, most refreshing tipple there has even been. No exaggeration. Oh and 50 cents from each one ordered is donated to Act For Kids, charity dedicated to child abuse and neglect.
So there’s that. There’s also an entire breakfast cocktail menu including the new love of our lives, the Highland Breakfast Martini, made with Kamm and Sons English Aperitif, shaken with a generous teaspoon of Chef’s handmade marmalade and then lightly toasted with a splash of smoky scotch whisky. The smokiness is the winner here, offset perfectly by the sweet marmalade and a cocktail that might just change your life (and made you want to snuggle up by the fire someplace where it snows a lot). Bye.
Food-wise, the menu is refined breakfast slash brunch eats and all your favourites are on offer but don’t go thinking you’ll find any run-of-the-mill dishes here.
How does Champagne Infused Eggs Benedict sound? Epic, yes. Tastes even better. Let’s discuss the Mushroom Bruschetta though because who knew mushrooms could be so very tasty. Nobody, that’s who. Well, Chef John obviously. So it’s Toasted New York-style rye bread with rosemary and garlic roast field mushrooms, mushroom parfait, mushroom soil, shaved Gruyere, white truffle and egg yolk jam. One of the great breakfast dishes, sharp and tangy and mouthwateringly delicious.
For lunch, there’s a Kingfish Ceviche with sunrise lime, sea fennel, burnt mango, fermented cucumber and native botanicals and again, can we eat this every day please?
The Raw is also a good time with seasonal baby vegetables, apple-smoked coconut yoghurt, watermelon radish, leek ash and carab soil. Pretty as a picture and the perfect flavour combination.
We could go on but no doubt you’re hungry now and same.
Make it a priority to pay Paradise Point a visit and eat one of everything, washed down with a breakfast cocktail or two.
Boozy brunch is back, baby.
Bye.
LOCATION: 2/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point
HOURS: 5.30am until 3pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Finally, sipping cocktails by the pool with your pals is a thing you can do on the Gold Coast. Well, a thing you can do at a bar, not just at home while mixing way-too-strong margies with your mates and taking bulk Insta-snaps on inflatable unicorns.
Back to the bar with poolside cocktails. Driftwood Social opened up at Vibe Hotel just a few short weeks ago and already, it’s become THE place to spend a balmy weekend afternoon playing giant lawn games and taking numerous dips in said pool while also gazing at the pretty view and eating tasty treats.
It’s a tropical-inspired paradise with bright lounge chairs, pink flamingoes and patterned cushions dotted throughout plus a big lawn space for giant Jenga and the like and, a covered cabana to hide from the blazing sun should that be your choice.
The bar overlooks the entire space and, on the level below, the pool all sparkly and bright blue, boasts luxurious white lounge chairs perfect for kicking back and working on your tan. While sipping a Mojito and watching the sunset of course.
The entire venue brings a laidback, beachside club vibe we’ve not experienced on the Gold Coast before and being there feels as though you’ve escaped for a little holiday but, in fact, you can go home and sleep in your own comfy bed once you’re done frolicking. It’s win win.
The menu is perfectly befitting of the space with snacks of the cheese plate and fries varieties. There’s also a small plate section with dishes like Wild Mushrooms on housemade toast and House-smoked salmon with pickled cucumber, kimchi, wasabi and cashews.
Light meals include the Driftwood Burger with a Cape Grim beef patty, bacon, Guyere cheese, pickled chilli, lettuce and a tasty burger sauce.
Main plates are Market Fish (SO GOOD), Driftwood Social Nasi Goreng and Rump Steak with herb salsa and shallot salad.
They’re all the perfect, tasty eats to match the poolside bar and a few hours spent sinking drinks with the crew. Oh and EVERYTHING on the menu is made in-house so that’s always a good sign.
All your favourite cocktails are on the list (highly recommend a Mojito) plus, of course, many beers and all the wines you could wish for.
If you’ve got a function or just want some space to yourself, you can book an area that will be cordoned off, so it’s pretty much like being Rihanna but without bulk bodyguards. Unless you have bodyguards of course.
Anywho. Get down there for a good old-fashioned party time with your fellow cocktail lovers.
LOCATION: Vibe Hotel, 42 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 11.30am until 7pm Monday to Thursday and 11.30am until 8pm Friday to Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
The Southern suburbs have seen their fair share of hip new venues lately and now it seems our northern neighbours are keen to get in on the action.
Two brand new coffee haunts have opened their doors, and been welcomed with open arms, with another to join the party this weekend (July 29th).
Whether you’re a top end local or simply keen to explore somewhere new, add these three to your list of must-visits.
The Coffee Deck Paradise Waters
Overlooking the water at Paradise Point, The Coffee Deck opens on July 29th. Promising loaded muffins (check out their Instagram for a sneak peek at these bad boys), homemade cakes and treats and delicious local coffee, this colour-filled space is sure to be a hit. The new space is the longtime dream of Trudie Duncan who promised her late mother, a cook, she would one day open a cafe. Offering all day breakfast and a few lunch options plus a specialty hot chocolate (!) menu, we think you’re gonna love it.
Where: 5 Admiralty Drive, Paradise Waters
Hours: 6am to 5pm daily
Paper Cup Coffee Southport
Their first venue, in Labrador, was such a screaming success that the Paper Cup team recently expanded to open a second on Ferry Rd in Southport. All about keeping things simple, the space boasts polished concrete floors, fresh flowers and plenty of greenery. Open for breakfast and lunch, grab yourself a coffee or takeaway sweet treat or settle in amongst the plants for an acai bowl or breaky bagel. It’s the perfect little spot for a before work cuppa or midday escape from the madness.
Where: 201 Ferry Rd, Southport
Hours: 5am to 5pm daily
Social Brew Paradise Point
Another joint born off the back of a roaring success story further south, Social Brew has joined the café strip along the waterfront at Paradise Point. After travelling 45 minutes from his Sovereign Island home for coffee in Burleigh, co-owner Mike decided the northern suburbs needed something new. Social Brew has taken off in both locations, offering breakfast, lunch and cheeky afternoon cocktails if you’re keen. The new venue also offers a picnic basket option where you can order from the website and have a basket made up to enjoy while gazing lovingly at the sparkling waterway (or your companion, whatever).
Where: 34 The Esplanade, Paradise Point
Hours: 6am to 5pm daily
You heard it here first; a trip to the north is the order of the weekend.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
