The Benowa venue opens its doors.
The Benowa venue opens its doors.
It’s not very often we get to bring you news from Benowa but today is a day that we do Gold Coasters and it’s very good news indeed.
The lucky suburb is the brand new custodian of Double Barrel Kitchen & Bar 2.0 and that’s certainly something to celebrate.
Found on Sunland’s new Marina Concourse (opposite RACV Royal Pines Resort) and overlooking the lake, the newbie is stunning, all bright and airy with huge overhanging lights, a community-style table in the centre and an arched bar where you may perch on leather stools and gaze lovingly at the perfection of it all.
Water views and a breezy outdoor area complete the picture and it all comes together to create a setting you will absolutely want to spend all your spare time in.
If you’ve visited Double Barrel Kitchen & Bar’s first venue in Miami you’ll know they’re all about breakfast, lunch and coffee and in particular, tasty dishes you aren’t likely to sample anywhere else.
The breakfast and lunch menus are both extensive so we’ll chat about a few highlights that you should absolutely taste ASAP.
Starting with breakfast, the most important meal of the day as they say. There’s a bakery section which is SO GREAT and it’s filled with croissants and bagels and banana bread and all the very best things.
There’s a bowl section including bowls of the granola, Acai, spring oats and warm greens varieties plus all the breaky classics you know and love.
Our most favourite section though is the DBK Essentials section because it’s filled with things like Cauliflower Cheese and Corn Fritters, Brekkie Terrine and Apple & Rosella Country Pie for dessert. So good.
When lunchtime rolls around there are entrees like Jar Set Pork Rillets, tacos and arancini, mains like Truffle Mushroom Risotto and King Prawn Angel Hair pasta and Chicken Spatchcock with a blue cheese puree that we are now in love with.
There are also gourmet burgers including a Pork Belly Bahn that’s one of the very best we’ve ever tried (by far).
Drinks-wise there are milkshakes (best), smoothies, coffee by Supreme Roasters and of course a selection of alcoholic beverages including everyone’s fave sparkling tipple Moet & Chandon. Love you.
All perfect for a laidback morning of indulging in delicious goodies while overlooking the water and laughing with the gals.
If you’re looking for us, that’s exactly where we’ll be.
LOCATION: Shop 5/11 Marina Concourse, Benowa
HOURS: Open daily from 6am
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Locking in a killer location in the Waterways Village shopping centre, owner Jess Winters tells me her and partner Peter jumped on the space because as locals themselves, they knew the area’s residents have been itching for a top spot to eat that doesn’t involve going all the way to the Gold Coast HWY. Judging by the Monday lunch crowd, I’d say she was right.
Jess and Peter turned the once Greek restaurant into a smoking new hotspot. Utilizing dark recycled timber, large custom windows, hand picked pendant lights and fresh flowers, the couple have created an intimate space any creature of comfort would be happy to cozy up in.
These cooler mornings beg for a warm inviting space and comfort food, which is exactly what you will find at Double Barrel Kitchen. The Winter Morning Salad will warm you up with winter veggies, warm free range poached eggs and chimichurri. While breakfast is served all day and includes some Aussie classics, the real game changer here is the Brekkie Bao. It’s an Asian inspired dish of quail eggs, thick cut free-range bacon and a soft steamy Chinese Bao bun. As tasty as it is innovative, it has raised the bar on the Gold Coast breakfast scene.
The Texas-style Chicken Gumbo served in a crusty cob loaf is a lunch highlight. The recipe was handed down by the chef’s grandmother and has even been published in its originating Texas town’s ‘community favorites’ cookbook! If you are feeling cheeky, grab a beer to wash this southern classic down!
Now, keep in mind, as you are elbows deep in gumbo, that you must save room for the desserts that are made fresh in-house daily. Mid-devour of a rich brownie, I was informed it was gluten free. FINALLY a gluten free dessert that actually tastes like the real thing!
The display fridge is packed with gluten free, raw and regular ole’ sweet treats which are sure to be a hit with the Miami State School mums bound to pack the joint for coffee & cake pre-kiddie pick up.
The locals are already crying for more, so come October get ready for the introduction of the Double Barrel dinner (yay!).
Open 7 days 6am – 3:30pm
Shop 4 Waterway Shopping Village, Cnr Karbunya Street & Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters
By Marleigh Kelly
We’re here to talk about a lovely little lakeside paradise that is both somewhat of a Gold Coast hidden gem and the perfect place to escape to should you need to experience something you won’t find anywhere else around these parts.
That something is a sweet little community, tucked away across the lake and bursting with colourful, European-esque vibes and many a lovely little boutique to spend your hard earned dollars within. Not to mention a sophisticated, new dining spot to satiate that post-shopping hunger.
It’s called Huntington’s Café and it’s been open for a few short weeks, serving up healthy dishes the likes of which you probably haven’t tasted before.
Let’s discuss the space first though. It’s an indoor slash outdoor space with a beautiful deck that stretches out toward the lake and with all of the sun-soaking opportunities.
Inside, there’s a little book nook, intimate little bench seating areas and an upbeat vibe that can definitely be attributed to the exceptional views (and eats).
So the menu. The focus is on healthy dishes that make you feel good and indeed they do.
For breakfast you simply cannot go past the Hemp Protein Pancakes with whipped banana and ricotta seasonal fruit and maple syrup. They are not only very good for you but also delicious and, hemp.
There’s also Cereal Milk Panna Cotta with buckwheat crunch, seasonal fruit and grated dark chocolate.
You may also build your breakfast, so that’s a good time.
For lunch there’s Braised Mussels with shallots, garlic, capsicum and tomato that will certainly tickle your tastebuds plus a Shepherd’s Pie and Falafel Bowl that you’ll probably also want to taste.
The coffee on offer is by Seven Miles and it is fittingly called The Cat’s Pajamas, brewed in Brisbane and very, very good.
Not only exceptional views and good-for-you eats though, there are yoga classes on Saturday mornings, a function space for all your party and business meeting needs and hemp products, made by the team that you may take home to enjoy.
Oh and there are also giant, homemade olives for sale too. So delicious.
Owners Helen Paximadas and Janet Carson have had a few years in the business previously and it all comes together at Huntington’s to create a venue that you’ll likely want to visit time and time again.
See you again soon Emerald Lakes.
LOCATION: 78/3030 The Boulevard, Emerald Lakes
HOURS: Monday to Saturday 7am until 3pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
