Featuring all the best baked goods.
Featuring all the best baked goods.
We come bearing baked goods news, which is of course the very best kind. It involves Burleigh Baker, speaking of the very best kind of things and the fact that they now have two Gold Coast venues, so you can eat double the amount of their exceptional baked goods.
As you’ve probably figured out, the newbie can be found on Bruce Avenue in Paradise Point. The outdoor seating area will give you plenty of warming sunshine or you can grab some goodies to go and wander across the road to the waterfront park. Burleigh Baker 2.0 looks pretty similar to the OG version except that the cabinet filled with cakes and sweet treats is bigger, and that is a-okay by us.
On offer are all the same things you can find down south and if you haven’t yet had the chance to visit, allow us to explain what you’ve been missing out on.
Burleigh Baker are magicians when it comes to sourdough, theirs is the best there is hands down and not only is it stocked in their own spaces, but in other venues all across the Coast.
The fermentation process is a minimum of 18 hours and there are MANY flavours of the sourdough loaf you’ll want to try. Our fave is the Olive Sourdough which is only available on Friday’s and Saturday’s and we will fight you for it. There’s also a Pumpkin Sourdough with pieces of roast pumpkin throughout, a Orchard Loaf with figs and dates in there (also amazing), the Burleigh Special which is the original version and a 100% Spelt Sourdough to name a few.
All of them, and yes we’ve tried every single one, is a taste sensation AND not only delicious, the extended fermentation process means it’s good for your gut health too. So guilt-free.
Not only loaves of sourdough though, the team also whip up semi-sourdough croissants (crispy on the outside and soft inside) which are heavenly, custard tarts unlike any you’ve ever tasted and yes, sweet treats too.
Said sweet treats are either made with sourdough or are gluten-free and they are all made with a very reduced amount of sugar. None of them have refined sugar, they’re all made with varieties like coconut and yep, they’re still absolutely incredible. Better in fact, than those laden with sugar.
We’re talking treats like Sticky Date puddings, Chocolate and Beetroot Brownies, Apple Tarts, all of the things.
Not only those though, you can also order warm things like the Burleigh Baker Breaky Bun with egg, bacon, cheese and smoked tomato relish, Free Range eggs cooked your way and a Herb and Cheese Omelette, soup of the day, sandwiches and rolls.
To drink, there is the very good Handsome Coffee, Kombucha, Chai, a variety of teas and orange juices too.
Burleigh Baker also do epic cakes to order, so if you need something special but absolutely cannot make it yourself, get the best in the biz to do it for you.
So it’s pretty much the best place ever. Get on up there to try it all for yourself. And yes, we mean all of it.
LOCATION: 6 Bruce Avenue, Paradise Point
HOURS: TBC
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
The plant-based life is one that has gained huge momentum over the past little while with dedicated eateries popping up all over the place and many people adopting more of a green way of life.
The Gold Coast has joined in on the fun, becoming home to a few vegetarian venues that we the people have welcomed with open arms.
The most recent of which is Plant Based Café, found in Paradise Point on Grice Ave and next door to Cross and Feather, it opened late last year and it’s been quite the delight ever since.
Owners Airi Kanazawa and Ali Imz noticed a need for more plant-based spots on the northern end of the Coast and so, as many aspiring change-makers do, decided to change that right up.
Now plant-based eater or not, you’re going to want to sample the absolutely stunning eats on offer here. Created by both Airi, Ali and former Masterchef contestant Christina Laker heading up the kitchen, every single dish is a delight to behold and yes, packed with flavour too.
For breakfast there are dishes like Nutella Pancakes with house-made Nutella poured over three layers of fluffy, vanilla pancakes and finished with organic coconut ice cream, blueberry compote, fresh seasonal fruits and peanuts and that is one dish you’re going to remember for a long time.
If you’re more of a savoury fan, the Zucchini and Corn Fritter Stack is next-level with a stack of low-fat, baked fritters served with tomato relish, smashed avocado and a lightly-dressed petite salad. So tasty and perfectly presented too.
There’s also a Buddha Bowl, Matcha Tea Mochi Pancakes and a Dukkha Mushroom Medley to name a few more delicious dishes.
For lunch, there are burgers, tacos, pasta and Spiced Buffalo Cauliflower Wings which are one of our favourite things ever. The Chi-kin Burger is the go with a grilled chi-kin patty, housemade slaw, pickled gherkin and melted cheddar. All day please.
To drink there are smoothies of the Snickers Protein, Chocolate Mint and Blueberry Chia varieties plus an organic blend of coffee from Byron Bay Coffee Company, plus of course, cold pressed juice and kombucha.
The team are also aiming for a waste-free business, recycling everything daily and taking leftover food scraps to an animal shelter nearby. So that’s really great.
Do yourself a favour and get into Plant Based Café ASAP to taste some exceptional eats in a high vibe space that is doing good for not only the Gold Coast but the world.
We like.
LOCATION: 1/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point
HOURS: Daily from 6am to 3pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
We’re back with more foodie news from the north and it seems like Paradise Point is throwing their hat in the ring for the coveted title of the Coast’s most exciting up and coming foodie mecca.
A few short weeks ago we reported on the sweet new Plant Based Cafe and here we are again to discuss The Grazing Plate, a newbie that opened just last week slinging something a little bit different.
Found on Bruce Ave, The Grazing Plate is the work of Paula and Andrew Statham who are quite the well seasoned travellers and wanted to bring something they are passionate about to the people of Paradise Point. Which is of course, wholesome eats, a welcoming but sophisticated venue and a way of dining we don’t often see in the land of Oz.
Now the vibe of the newbie is casual, decked out with both indoor and outdoor seating plus a big section in the back for functions (wedding receptions and the like), there’s pops of greenery everywhere and some of the prettiest tiled flooring we’ve seen. It’s a delight.
At the moment, the team are focusing on their breakfast menu but lunch will be rolled out later in the week and dinner in about a months’ time.
As you might have guessed, the menu is based around a grazing plate style of eating and you can do this as a solo act or share if you’re visiting with your pals.
Of course, all your favourite dishes are available too like fruit and cereal bowls, housemade pancakes and a soon-to-be-released potato rosti selection that we already love the sound of very much.
Let’s discuss the grazing plate option though and basically you start with a free-range egg selection (two for two people etc.) and then it’s a choose your own adventure type situation.
With add ons like grilled haloumi, gourmet pork sausages, sirloin beef, Indonesian fried rice, avocado and housemade baked beans (to name a few) it’s pretty much the breakfast creation of your dreams.
Basically it’s just a way to share all the things but at breakfast time. Lovely.
When the lunch trade starts, it will be exactly the same deal so how good is that.
To drink, there is The Cat’s Pajamas coffee along with fresh juices and soon, cocktails and lunch time friendly beverages.
Soon there’ll also be a Saturday grazing brunch and a Sunday roast grazing brunch and it’s all about eating a little bit of everything, which we’re obviously all about.
The Grazing Plate offer catering too and soon they’ll be holding cooking classes if you’re keen to learn a thing or two yourself.
See all the fun things are happening at Paradise Point.
Pop up there and check it out for yourself.
LOCATION: 3/8 Bruce Ave, Paradise Point
HOURS: From 6.30am daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
The northern end of the Gold Coast has seen a renaissance when it comes to finding places to grab a great coffee and devour some fantastic food. And whether you live towards this end of the Coast or not, it’s certainly something to be celebrated.
One such busy little suburb is Paradise Point. And as the name isn’t by chance, with lush open spaces and a marina that blows pleasant sea breezes along the bustling esplanade front, the area is bursting with a lively café scene. It’s the perfect place for two energetic café owners from Melbourne to open their first foray into the Gold Coast café scene with Sweet Bambino.
This hole-in-the-wall street-side space screams modern chic with a polished concrete floor, rustic grey walls, and low hanging light fittings; simply drawing you in further and further as you take stock of all the delicious counter food there is. How does a Ham and Cheese toastie prepared in French toast or a drool-worthy House-made Turkish Delight Cheesecake sound? There’s these and a whole lot more for the hungry who find their way to Sweet Bambino.
Owners Sylvia and Adam wanted their menu to appeal to everyone. All too often they have come across a menu where the options were a bit limited or stale, and this wasn’t going to fly at Sweet Bambino. Pick your way between a Bambino Pulled Pork Benny, or if you feel like something sweeter, their Hibiscus Poached Pear with Cinnamon Porridge. And they couldn’t forget about the little ones, as there’s even an entirely separate menu specially for kids.
Once you’ve got some serious flavour coming your way, then you’ll need an equally great tasting coffee to go with it. Burleigh Heads’ Social Espresso beans are being poured with pinpoint precision. Their house blend is the El Cucho roast, carrying notes of malt and caramel with beans ethically sourced from three different areas of Columbia.
If you feel like switching things up and giving the coffee a miss, fear not, as you can sip away at one of six cold-pressed juice combinations or perhaps a velvety smoothie like their Mango Tango. Which boasts mango, banana, ice cream, and milk. Because this combo is what dreams are made of.
You’ll find Sweet Bambino right beside the Esplanade North Park with attractive seating out the front. There are low-lying benches and bar top seating available for you to relax and let the busy town feel of Paradise Point wash over you as you enjoy the spoils from this newly opened café.
And if you don’t usually come to this part of the Coast, we highly recommend you look into changing that soon — you’re missing out.
Where: 1/46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point
Hours: Monday – Friday 5am – 2pm | Saturday – Sunday 6am – 3pm
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
