You know the saying, when the time is right, it will find you? Well, you must be ripe for some sleek Mediterranean-style dining because, evidently, your time is now! Bar Leo Food & Wine has been quietly thriving under your radar, so we’re glad we finally get to make your acquaintance. Welcome to your new neighbourhood rendezvous.

Bar Leo is the thrumming heart of Sorrento, a local frequent and a top recommendation for visitors. You can hear the hum of patron chatter as you pass by. The warm ambience allures as you gaze from afar, making you wish you, too, had made a reservation. Not to worry! You can make a reservation right now!

Picture this, it’s 4pm on a Friday afternoon, the week is done and happy hour has begun. There’s a light summer-esque dew in the air, so you opt for the Balmy Nights ‘Fizz’ Petillant Natural on recommendation from the waiter, “It’s a perfect wine for these humid days”.

The refined wine list and seafood-inspired share plates, small and large, leave you with that wonderful conundrum; what to try first? Then, your dining buddy chimes in, “I think this is going to be our new local”. You nod in agreeance and take a heavenly sip of the Vermentino & Grenache blend (recommendation approved), chilled red you have all the time to try everything on the menu more than once. You’re on cloud wine.

Bar Leo is every bit as fantastic as this musing. The venue has a contemporary feel, with Mediterranean details that make you feel like you’re on a Santorini sojourn. It’s no surprise patrons want to linger a bit longer when visiting. The seafood is fresh and delicious and the wine list is impressive. And don’t get us started on the hospitality. There are many reasons locals keep coming back, but their stellar personalised service is one of them.

Let us entice you with a few menu standouts. The menu is partitioned into three sections; ‘snacks’, ‘small plates & share plates’ and ‘vegetables and salads’. Shared eats would have to be one of life’s most simple pleasures. For the love of all things gluten, we must put forth the snack plate focaccia with rosemary, sea salt & EVOO. Our next snack plate proposal is the half shell scallop, cauliflower puree with chorizo crumb.

It would be a sin not to endorse the cooked-to-perfection, market fresh fish, lemon & olive oil from the small plates & share plates section. What can we tell you? Simplicity slays. And excuse us, but a black angus sirloin, soubise, sauce bordelaise & fried kale? Tell the waiter we’ll take two with the fried Brussel sprouts, pancetta, honey & hazelnuts. While at it, we’ll take some shoestring fries with rosemary, sea salt and garlic confit aioli.

Bar Leo is perfect for the whole family, with a children’s playground and lawn only a few steps away. Considering the venue is owned by a local family and operated by industry veterans, we can’t say we’re surprised that this venue ticks all the boxes.

Where: 7/4 Panitz St, Bundall
When: Wednesday and Thursday – 4pm till late
Friday – 12pm till late (all day dining)
Saturday – 12pm till late (all day dining)
Sunday – 12pm till 6pm

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

STORY SPONSORED BY BAR LEO

Bridging the gap between enduring endless office small talk and being distracted by your cat’s attempts at a leisurely stroll across the keyboard whilst WFH, the recent rise of co-working spaces has been an undeniable win for businesses, professionals and entrepreneurs everywhere.

And if escaping those productivity-thwarting distractions is music to your ears, listen up. Riva Offices, a slick new co-working space in Bundall block offers the best of both worlds and takes it to a whole new – and very chic – level.

Conveniently nestled right in the heart of the CBD, the corner of Bundall Road and Crombie Avenue just got a serious upgrade. Riva Offices offers a vibrant, contemporary space with low-key resort vibes while you (quite literally go) about your business. Our to-do lists are not ready.

The boutique office facility offers everything from private offices to hot desks, along with dedicated meeting and podcast rooms – though at its core, this place is about so much more than functionality alone.

We all know the environment in which we work can significantly impact productivity and morale. Striking the balance between form and function – Riva Office’s thoughtfully curated, elevated surroundings totally redefines the way you work, connect, and create.

Already turning heads (in an office-appropriate way) in the few short months since its launch, owner Hugh Ellis recognised the need for high-end co-working options when it comes to meeting the diverse needs of professionals and businesses across the board.

A veritable one-stop shop for professionals – (obligatory) high speed wifi, perks such as 24/7 access and security, mail handling services and a fully equipped kitchen (wherefore art thou coffee?!) are all part of the sweet deal. Along with the plethora of premium amenities, there are added advantages like access to business development programs and networking opportunities. Because it’s not just about getting stuff done; it’s about growing that empire too, no?

While freelancers and entrepreneurs will appreciate perching up at a dedicated desk or hot desk in the modern, open-plan surrounds there are also options like light and airy private offices for teams of up to ten. Contemporary and fully serviced meeting rooms are also on offer, which are suitable for teams of up to 16.

For anyone looking to dip their toe into the world of podcasting, there’s a studio decked out with all the latest audio gear in an acoustically refined interior… So you can feel confident busting out those vocal warmups (and umpteenth takes) in privacy and style.

Yep, they really have thought of everything here. We’re fairly confident productivity has never looked quite this good.

Head here to check out more on office information, memberships, and pricing at Riva Offices.

Where: 21 Crombie Avenue, Bundall
When: Available 24/7
Website: rivaoffices.com.au

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY RIVA OFFICES

Oh, Italia. As all-around food enthusiasts we are quite pasta-ial to alll the Italian eats, and by ‘quite partial’, we mean down 24/7 (mental note: check if breakfast pasta is a thing).

If our recent run of balmy weather also lulled you into a false sense of security, and you also were low-key hoping we’d just skip winter this year, same. However with the temps officially plummeting, our unhealthy denial tendencies have been foiled and we’ve officially moved into our yearly comfort food era. Nothing compares to the soul-hugging, carb-coma inducing satisfaction of a big ol’ bowl of Italian food made with love.

If you’re yet to stumble across Bambino Ristorante, this hidden gem has created quite the name for itself among central GC locals as so much more than just your everyday neighbourhood Italian joint. For Bambino Ristorante, sumptuous authentic Italian food is just one pizza what keeps customers coming back for more. A dual-level establishment with two dedicated performance areas, a cello playing owner and live music every night, this fun-filled musical restaurant never skips a beat when it comes to unforgettable mems and good vibes.

Like many, with the world coming to a grinding halt in 2020 owner Max Tu had time on his hands to dream and scheme. Ultimately, he was inspired to create his own Venn diagram where all three of his passions – food, hospitality and entertainment, overlap into one perfect circle that is Bambino Ristorante. After moving from Taiwan in 2014, Mr Tu spent some years studying and working within the hospitality industry in Adelaide. As inevitable as catching a red light along the Gold Coast highway, of course it was only a matter of time until he saw some sense we stole him away from our Southern friends. Bambino caught Max’s attention for ‘being a venue where guests can have a great meal while enjoying live music, singing and dancing’, and with the addition of state-of-the-art audio equipment it has only continued to evolve into an establishment that is pasta-tively adored by it’s supportive community.

Bambino’s classic fit-out perfectly complements the welcoming, traditional neighbourhood restaurant and community vibe they’ve built. There’s no mistaking you’re in the right place, and if the bold ‘Italian restaurant’ illuminated brighter than Yatala’s controversial ‘Gold Coast’ installation doesn’t tip you off, then the literal vintage red car protruding from the front façade sure will. Nostalgic interior nods are an ode to Italy: crisp white tablecloths, black leather seating, crushed velvet and moody surrounds all provide the perfect backdrop for this dinner-and-a-show experience.

We’re pleased to also report the eats are just about as authentic as you can get without, y’know, a 20 hour flight, so it’s winner winner scallopini dinner as far as we’re concerned. Of course, the starters offer up all the faves you’d expect, but let’s face it – as soon as we spy Nonna’s Meatballs with veal, pork and fennel meatballs cooked in rich sauce served with parmesan croutes and grated pecorino, we need look no further (but if someone else orders the Bruschetta, we won’t complain about taste testing either).

The Nice Cheeks – 18 hour slow-cooked premium Angus beef cheek, chat potato & red wine jus are a must try, while the Bella Mignon Chicken & Prawn wrapped with smoked speck, seasonal vegetables in a creamy mushroom sauce offers the best of both worlds for the sea-foodies among us. We’re not about to commit any culinary sins by skipping the extensive pizza and pasta selection – might we suggest the Gamberetta pizza with tomato, king prawns, red onions, roasted capsicum & capers and Penne Ragout, Braised Wagyu Ragout, penne pasta with grated pecorino respectively.

Since the calories are already a write off, you might as well go all out and finish with something from the Bambino Ristorante dessert holy trinity: Tiramisu, Cannoli or Small Dessert Pizza laden with nutella, banana, rich Frangelico anglaise & candied walnuts served with vanilla ice-cream.

No matter what you opt for, a trip to Bambino Ristorante will be a feast for the senses and a (maybe literal) serenade for the soul. It’s impossible to say for sure what’s more buttery smooth, the nightly entertainment or the Truffle Pappardelle.

Where: Shop 3/117 Ashmore Rd, Bundall
When: Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-9pm, with lunch 12-3pm Friday & Saturdays

 Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.

STORY SPONSORED BY BAMBINO RISTORANTE.