Up your romance game this Valentine’s Day at The Star Gold Coast
Up your romance game this Valentine’s Day at The Star Gold Coast
When we’re asked what our definition of romance is, it goes a little something like this. We’d like to be wined and dined (duh), pampered (obvs), and treated to a night of luxury at a spiffy hotel. Oh and if someone could do the next fortnight’s laundry, ironing, vacuuming, groceries, cooking, dishes, and school drop-off, we’ll be yours forever #ActsOfService. Well, there’s one place that does the top three on our wish list like a boss #flexemoji. It’s The Star Gold Coast friends and as always, there are options-a-plenty to sweep your soulmate off his/her feet.
Nineteen At The Star
There are fancy-pants restaurants and then there’s Nineteen At The Star! Enjoy a decadent set menu, guaranteed to make anyone fall in love. To start, think the likes of Natural Oysters in Champagne Mignonette and yes, we all know where this is leading…. #bomchikkawahwah. Shared entrees include Queensland Spanner Crab, with brown butter, macadamia, and sourdough, and a choice of mains (our pick; Fillet Steak with potato pavê, roast shallot, black garlic and bordelaise). Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without dessert and with two on offer, we’re going for the Strawberry Cheesecake with citrus mousse and jus frei. $140 per person and bookings are essential. Available for dinner only.
The following three restaurants are celebrating Valentine’s Day with decadent love-themed desserts. Enjoy their usual delicious a la carte options, then finish it off with these exclusive sweet treats.
Garden Kitchen & Bar
Spoil your other half (and your tastebuds) with an exclusive Valentine’s dessert made with luurve. Designed to be enjoyed together, savour the textures of the Valrhona Chocolate Share Plate. Choc it out for $19. Available for dinner only, bookings encouraged.
Cucina Vivo
In typical passionate Italian form, Cucina Vivo is also serving up an extra spesh dessert offer! It’s called the Italian Kiss and yes, it’s as satisfying as a kiss from an actual Italian #IYKYK. Made with Italian pastry, crème fraiche semifreddo and macerated strawberries, it’s the best $14 you’ll spend all year. Available for dinner only, bookings encouraged.
Kiyomi
Not to be left out of the exclusive V Day dessert-fest, Kiyomi is also offering a special sweet finisher for Cupid’s favourite night of the year. The Peanut Fondant with chocolate fondant, peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla ice cream is sure to dazzle the object of your affection. $25 and available for dinner only, bookings encouraged.
Azure Spa & Fitness
If you’re after something less ‘foody’ and more ‘feely’, this one’s for you! For the month of February, Azure invites you and your beloved to connect and unwind with a Rejuvenating Massage for Two. This rhythmic body massage will ease away tension and re-align energy flow #yesplease. Plus, enjoy the sanctuary of an Azure Spa private cabana. $600 per couple.
Love in Luxury
Indulge in a luxury stay at The Star Grand Hotel or The Darling, including a daily $50 dining credit, daily breakfast per guest, and a late check out until 12:00pm (and OMG, the sleep-in alone has us swooning). You’re guaranteed 25% off the best available rate, leaving more in the kitty for extra cocktails and a few trips to the roulette table #PutItAllOnRed. The offer is valid until 31st May.
To book or for more information on any of The Star’s Valentine’s Day activations, go here.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various activations on Tuesday 14th February
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol.
We love love here at Inside Gold Coast and our excitement levels are peaking for Cupid to launch his heart-tipped arrows on Tuesday February 14th. So how shall you woo that special someone because yeah, you’ve done chocolates and cute cringey teddies to death, and need fresh inspo to knock his/her socks off this year. Thankfully, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa (aka the destination for romance), has come to the party with not one but three fail-safe ways to spoil your Valentine.
The ultimate suite indulgence
We mean sweet…and suite!! Nothing says love like a getaway to a luxurious five-star resort and absolutely nobody will argue with that. Particularly when your stay includes breakfast for two adults in the award-winning Citrique Restaurant and that’s some epic brownie points right there. But wait, there’s more because the romantics at JW Marriott are adding a cheese platter with locally sourced delights and honestly, cheese deserves its own love language. They’re also throwing in a bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne – another enduring love of ours – and valet parking too for those extra VIP feels. Reservations can be made here. Enter booking code HDK under Special Rates / Corporate and do it fast!
A five-course degustation at Citrique
If you can’t escape for a full night (parents with young children, we feel you), never fear because the award-winning Citrique Restaurant is putting on a decadent five-course degustation. Curated by Executive Chef Paul Smart and his team of culinary gurus, it’s textbook gastronomic perfection. Let’s set the scene; upon arrival, you and your love will be greeted with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne. Then it’s time to indulge your taste buds with a line-up of mouth-watering dishes flexing Citrique’s famous seafood and paddock to plate prowess. We’re talking Scallop and Yuzu Pearls, King George Whiting and Avruga Caviar, Lobster Fricassee, and Roasted Duck Breast with Truffle Farro. And it just wouldn’t be a true Valentine’s without dessert, in this instance the perfectly balanced and blissful Chocolate Rose and Raspberry Sorbet. Available Tuesday 14th February for $129 per guest, you can go all out with an extra $49 per guest for exclusive wine pairing. Reservations are essential (duh, it’s Citrique!) via Gold Coast Tickets.
Valentine’s Day high tea
If you’d rather celebrate by day, why not treat your special someone to a memorable morning or afternoon inspired by a famous resort tradition. We’re talking about a Chapter & Verse Valentine’s Day high tea and if you haven’t already experienced this life-changing (we’re not exaggerating) ritual then cease the moment! Once again, Executive Chef Paul Smart and his posse of food artistes will redefine the high tea concept as you know it. Accompanied by a glass of Moët & Chandon bubbles on arrival, treat your soul mate to Raspberry Macaroons, Chocolate and Salted Caramel Slice, Heart Chocolate Bon Bons, Strawberry and Rose Tart, White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse, Ginger White Chocolate Friands, Red Velvet Slice, Strawberry and Cream Scones, Smoked Salmon and Caviar Rose, Beetroot and Cream Cheese Sandwich, Salami Olive and Tomato Roll, Turkey Brie Cheese and Cranberry, and last (but definitely not least), Prawn Roll with Lemon Aioli. Now that’s passion on a plate! Valentine’s Day high tea is available exclusively on Tuesday 14th February from 11am until 1pm, or 2pm until 4pm. Set to be a sell-out, the $89 per guest affair must be pre-booked so jump on to Gold Coast Tickets pronto.
Three cupid-endorsed Valentine’s options, one iconic Gold Coast destination. Let The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa do the heavy lifting for you this Valentine’s Day and make it one to remember.
When: Tuesday 14th February
Where: 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA
When John Paul Young penned ‘’Love is in the Air’’, he actually wrote it about Valentine’s Day at Q1’s SkyPoint Observation Deck. Yeah okay boomers, so Q1 didn’t even exist in the 70s – or the 90s when Strictly Ballroom was released – but we like our backstory better, plus it’s accurate in a literal sense.
Nothing says romance like staring into your loved one’s eyes on Valentine’s Day, as you both take in breathtaking Gold Coast views from above….77 levels up to be exact. Now add a swanky 5-course degustation to the equation, flowing drinks (yes pls), live entertainment and get down on bended knee already coz this is srsly Mills & Boon material!
The SkyPoint crew know that the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach (obvs). And they know that a multi-dimensional sensory experience which also incorporates the eyes and ears will have sparks flying from Q1 to Quebec. With this in mind, from 6pm until 10pm on Tuesday 14th February, they’re putting on a romance-filled Valentine’s soiree so swoony, Cupid can take the night off.
Australia’s highest dining destination is inviting loved up guests to choose from two different but equally delicious packages. Both offer a 5-course degustation menu and let’s be real, nothing gets our motor running more than this…except maybe a 3-hour beverage package and yep, that’s included too. As mentioned, there’s also live entertainment because who doesn’t love a side of beats (not beets…although those too) with their meal.
The Gold Package is $150 per person and in addition to the above, promises a window-adjacent table with uninterrupted views of the Gold Coast city skyline. Fan-cy! Or, you can always treat your other half to the $130 per head Silver Package. You may not be guaranteed a window table with this one but when the food, sips and tunes are on-(Sky)point, it’s a recipe for masterful woo-ing.
Let’s unpack the menu shall we and we’re already drooling in suspense. The first course sets the scene with Salt-baked Beetroot, nashi pear, feta and truffle honey, and we knew our earlier beets reference wasn’t misplaced.
Moving along, the second course is a crowd favourite; Risotto Nero with citrus prawns, blue swimmer crab and fresh dill (ohmygawd). If you’re salivating too, grab the Kleenex coz we’re not even halfway through….
Next, savour the flavour of Pressed Lamb Shoulder with roasted heirloom carrots, spring pea puree, dukkah and red wine jus, but leave sufficient belly real-estate for the two-remaining sweet-tooth friendly courses. We’re talking Yuzu Panna Cotta with blueberry compote and toasted coconut guaranteed to knock your date’s socks off. And for the grand finale fifth course, tantalise the tastebuds with Baked Chocolate Cheesecake, salted caramel shortbread, and raspberry popping candy.
Each course will be served at intervals from 6:30pm, and the icing on the cake is that all five courses are gluten-free. Winner winner Valentine’s dinner!
Bookings are essential and tickets are limited so to secure your spots at this unforgettable night amongst the stars, go here.
Where: SkyPoint Observation Deck, Level 77, Q1, Surfers Paradise
When: 6pm – 10pm, Tuesday 14th February
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY SKYPOINT
