Well well well, what do we have here?

If it isn’t our mate Currumbin collecting trendy new haunts like they don’t already have dibs on the coolest creek in the whole of the GC.

It’s okay though, we’re not mad about it, because in case you haven’t caught the hottest news in town, a cult-flavourite on the GC scene has branched out to bring us a BRAND NEW VENUE (and yes we feel the shouty caps are warranted, as will anyone who has tasted one of their mouth-watering pastries) because we are talking about our beloved, one and only Tarte Bakery here.

We are so bready for the great Tarte takeover, with Currumbin officially welcoming its sister venue Tarte Beach House this week and, while we want to say it’s every bit as good as you’d expect – it’s not.

It’s even better (how is that even possible?!)

Taking up residence under the palms lazily swaying by the picturesque Currumbin Creek foreshore, this Hamptons meets Parisian style stunner ticks all the boxes – and with owner and culinary mastermind Chloe Watts at the helm, we certainly don’t think this new venue will be living in the shadow of its big sister for long.

Somewhere between her duties as #supermum and running one of the GC’s most popular artisan bakeries, Chloe apparently manages to squeeze in the odd The Block binge, because the new Tarte Beach House beach shack glow up was a reno of epic proportions.

She well and truly uncovered the true potential of this creekside gem, which has been treated to a full facade makeover with some stunning new joinery to frame those knockout views.

Also of note are the painstakingly sourced vintage fixtures, with tables, counters and beach umbrellas turned lamp shades direct from France clocking in at a mere century old #oohlala.

Complete with chic monochrome checkerboard floors and elegant brass fixtures to round out the whole elevated space, it’s no longer just the glistening outlook that’s insta-worthy.

No how matter how ‘in’, the mullet may claim to be, we are loathe to use such a term to describe the ‘party in the bottom, business in the top’ functionality of this gorg new multi-level space (but we did it anyway).

Downstairs has been designed to be the more casual of the two spaces, welcoming us to saunter in post-dip and pull up stumps, or perhaps grab a New York style bagel (or any of your usual Tarte flaky faves) to-go #we’rejusthereforthecruellers.

Upstairs boasts the more formal style restaurant, which of course is fully licensed (which means Tarte cocktails, huzzah!).

Coupled with all-day faves such as Chilli eggs – Crispy ‘fried’ eggs, sauteed asparagus and broccolini with Aunty TT’s crispy chilli and fresh shallots on white sourdough and slightly more boujee brunch options such as the Lobster Roll made with Southern rock lobster in hot butter, celery, chives and lettuce served in a toasted housemade brioche. Shut up and take all our money!

With plans to eventually extend the Tarte Beach House offering to arvos and evenings, Europe called and said we should definitely stay home for creek hangs this summer.

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

Words by Kellie Leader
Images by Carly King

Nestled among the lush backdrop of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, The Homestead is a jack of all trades because not only is it one of the prettiest new venues here on the Gold Coast – and trust us, we’ve seen our fair share – it also doubles as the ultimate spot for a bite to eat while you get at one with nature.

It’s also the biggest investment the crew at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have made to the precinct in over 75 years, so we guess you could say it’s kind of a big deal since the Sanctuary is one of the Gold Coast’s most-loved and awarded tourism precincts within the city. They know a thing or two about how to create a ripper experience.

The venue is a celebration of all things Australiana with inspiration taken from our iconic Outback to blend modern design with the charm of a traditional Queensland homestead. The Queenslander-style home is where all the action takes place, with the perfect blend of modern and rustic finishes making it the perfect place to host your special day, whether that be a wedding or corporate event.

Not getting married anytime soon? Neither, but not a problem because we bet you’re still in need of a feed at some point, right. Well, we know a place. The Homestead is also the new home of casual dining for visitors to the Sanctuary, making it the only spot to perch up for a bite during your day of sightseeing.

What could beat tucking into a mean Outback Sandwich while visiting Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to cuddle a koala? Spoiler alert: NOTHING.

Australian food takes pride of place for good reason, with The Homestead setting out to capture the essence of our homegrown hospitality and that’s exactly what they nail. And there’s something about being among the trees and wildlife while you tuck into some great food that’s got us fighting back the urge to let out a big old ommmmm.

Celebrating the best of our homegrown food and flavours, with things like the Wattle Seed Damper and Coral Coast Barramundi alongside ingredients like native herbs and bush tomatoes bringing a taste of our authentic tucker to your favourite meals.

Local produce is a common theme across the paddock to plate style menu with everything from vegetables, herbs and even seafood found from our own backyard – literally, some are even grown onsite.

The darling of the menu is without a doubt the Darling Downs Black Angus, sure to be a favourite for the meat lover in your life. It brings 200grams of marbled goodness to the table and since we’ve never met a potato we didn’t like – it’s the unsung hero of the vegetable world in our opinion – the duck fat kipfler potatoes are a bonus.

The Homestead’s refreshing spin on casual dining has quickly made it a winner in our books, plus your purchase means the team at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary keep getting to do their amazing animal conservation work – talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

Where: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
Open for lunch 10.30am – 3.30pm daily
Weddings and events available on enquiry
Website: www.currumbinsanctuary.com.au
Instagram: @currumbinsanctuary

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

Proving that good genes run in the family, Tommy’s Italian has a little sister and we’re calling it now – it’ll reach Carb-dashian status. Set to secure a sizeable slice of the Currumbin Italian food scene when it opens this Friday 21st October, Little Tommy’s is a real pizza work. Just 500m down the road from its super popular sibling, it’s the more approachable, relaxed and uncomplicated one, kinda like Khloe K and why do we feel like we’re going down a slippery slope here…

Owners Tom Torchut and Ronnie Tarabay have done it again, this time in the form of a takeaway geared Italian pizzeria, with the option to sit in and enjoy an obligatory beachside bev. Nestled on the corner of Duringan Street and Thrower Drive, it will deliver the ultimate casual pizza experience and we can never have too many of these. No need to make a booking, just roll on in and yep, you’ll most likely roll on out too #FoodComaIncoming. We’re talking handpicked favourites from Tommy’s Italian, plus epic new bites designed especially for the nook to make us chant “carbs are friend not foe”.

Featuring indoor bar seating and outdoor seating, there’s space for 40 people to kick back and savour the flavours. Sink a drink from the carefully selected wines and lovingly created cocktails which bonus, boast minimal intervention. But more on those later because we need to talk about the fit out which was masterfully executed by Arch Interiors and Element Shopfitting. Adopting a colour scheme in sync with Tommy’s Italian, think deck chairs, red and white gingham style (not to be confused with Gangnam style coz, just, no) checked table clothes, and an eye-catching red tiled façade.

The menu has us swooning and we’re down for the Fried Smoked Mozzarella to start because fried cheese is our utopia. For mains, it’s gotta be a pizza, seeing as we haven’t had a slice since last Thursday and seven days without makes one weak. Let’s go with the Margarita and stop press, for once we’re not talking about the drinkable variety. When done Tommy-style, the simplistic goodness of the fior di latte, San Marzano and basil is impossible to beat. If we’re feeling pasta inclined (we are) we think the Pappardelle will do nicely, with lamb ragu, pappardelle, red wine, parsley and pecorino. We know we probs shouldn’t but bugger it, let’s finish with Tommy’s Original Tiramisu because there’s nothing wrong with eating your body weight, right?!? (there is).

Moving on to the refreshments, there’s lo-fi wines, local craft beers, and our forever friend, premium cocktails made from locally sourced hand pressed fruit juices. In particular, have a go of the signature cocktail offering, Little Red. Imagine lamington vodka (It’s.A.Thing), raspberry prosecco syrup and a squeeze of lime juice, garnished with a chocolate raspberry powder so it’s matchy matchy with the décor. Spesh.

So regardless of how you slice it, Little Tommy’s is destined to please many-a-palette and fill the big shoes of big bro up the street. Crust us.

Where: 140 Duringan Street, Currumbin
When: 5pm – late, Thursday – Monday. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.

Images by Brittany Kreskas.
Words by Bianca Trathen.