Ground N Sound has got the brews like Jagger.
Ground N Sound has got the brews like Jagger.
Here on the Gold Coast, it’s an unspoken truth that some our of most frequented haunts are as much about the vibes they are about the deliciousness they’re dishing up. Because sometimes we crave a cup with an all-round experience that’s as soul satisfying as it is scrumptious. Nestled within Chirn Park lies a very funky destination where coffee meets music, Ground N Sound – a ‘meet and greet’ music fans and coffee fiends will be very jazzed about.
Perched at the end of a street-art adorned alley – which would fit in Melbourne’s vibrant laneway landscape – lies an offbeat café-come-bar, a cosy space combining two of life’s greatest pleasures: music and coffee #doesitgetanybetter?
Ground N Sound, or ‘GNS’ as true groupies know it, has been adored among Labrador inhabitants since its inception in 2017 as a welcoming and lively spot to linger long beyond the expertly crafted barista brews being been downed.
A café space by day, with an array of vintage armchairs at which to settle in and enjoy the sights and sounds – surrounded by vintage knick knacks and serenaded by the signature GNS playlist of certified bangers.
As the day wears on, cappuccinos are switched for espresso martinis (or something neat, if we’re keeping it a little more ‘rock and roll’). GNS comes to life, assuming its after dark alter ego – as local muso’s gear up to ‘espresso’ themselves in a *slightly* different manner… (same, same but riff-rent.) On weekly rotation, the mix of entertainment includes local live acts, stand up comedy, music trivia nights, and open mic action for your Sunday sesh pleasure.
The kitchen is cranking out more #1 hits than the Beatles (which was 20, for the record… a handy factoid to retain if you plan on hitting up those trivia nights) with a blend of British and Australian cuisine. Think breakfast classics and hearty café fare, and by night, an array of tapas full of (sax)appeal for peckish evening revellers.
Kickstart your day the GNS way – with good tunes, single origin coffee (or smoothie) and house made pancakes or potato rosti with poached eggs (or eggs almost any way you could want them, for that matter).
Lunch goers are treated to a selection of swanky salads such as falafel, Thai style and Caesar, along with classic sando and wrap pairings.
The tapas offers an array of global tastes more varied than the playlist genres with the likes of Moroccan chicken wings, sautéed honey garlic glazed meatballs and traditional Mexican fajitas all sure to be a smash hit.
The drinks will ‘strike a chord’ among crafted cocktail enthusiasts with a tantalising list – complete with musical monikers – that will have us in (bohemian) rhapsodies.
No doubt the ‘Little Red Corvette’ with white rum, strawberry liqueur & lime, will steal the show – and to finish? Shake up some Bacardi, kraken spiced rum, pineapple, lemon juice & honey ginger syrup for one ‘Funky Cold Medina’ that we’re not ashamed to get down with.
Where: 23 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
When: Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 7am – 3pm, Friday 7am – 10pm, Sunday 7am – 4pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
STORY SPONSORED BY GROUND N SOUND
Every once in a blue moon, we get whispers of a newcomer so epic, we can’t say for sure if we’re actually dreaming. Something truly delicious has been baking in Chirn Park, with the impending arrival of a new artisan bakehouse concept, Basque, set to combine two signature specialties: cheesecake and champagne #isthisevenreallife?! Yep, we might have just died and gone to heaven.
There are few sweet treats so universally beloved as the humble cheesecake, with its irresistible allure and ability to send even those curiously dessert-averse individuals weak at the cheese. And when you hear that a newbie is coming to town specialising in not only that, but bubbles too, you know it’s gonna be When Harry Met Sally levels of OMG-good.
A duo that certainly needs no reminding of the sorcery that unmistakable sweet, rich and tangy combo holds are owners Laura and Zachary Guertin. They are thankfully here to reassure us that the dream-like existence of Basque Cheesecake & Champagne is in actual fact, very real #praisebe. The pair are certainly not alone in their view that “there isn’t much on this planet you can’t solve with cheesecake. And anything you can’t solve with cheesecake, you can usually solve with Champagne.”
This hospo super duo are both bringing their respective industry experience to Basque. The kitchen will be headed by Laura, formerly a head pastry chef for 4 years at two hatted restaurant Aubergine in Canberra, in addition to head pastry chef at Rebel Rebel. Zac brought his drinks wizardry to the table to curate the fun and varied selection of bubbles. Having sampled some of his creations at TØKOH we can happily attest to his genius. He spent 10 years behind the bar honing his talent in Canberra hospitality and led the team at award winning whisky bar Molly for 6 years.
“Basque exists to ensure that any truly special occasion is matched by a truly memorable cake”, with its arrival also offering the perfect solution to the age old question: ‘what should I bring?’. The couple adds, “We can help you say congratulations, thank you, sorry, goodbye, happy birthday or welcome”. Though in our humble opinions, ‘just because’ is just as valid, too #lifeisshort #eatthecake.
The locale for the new space was a no brainer for the pair, saying “We fell in love with the community at Chirn Park”, though we have little doubt that feeling will be very mutual indeed. In the ultimate win for both Laura and Zac and lucky locals, “The space was also a bakery beforehand so it came with a massive commercial 4 deck oven ready to go. This was a big drawcard for us being able to move in and start baking.”
The new venue will include intimate seating options both indoors and outdoors on the front deck, welcoming customers to partake in an obligatory slice of that signature cheesecake, or a convenient pit stop to pick up a celebratory cake on their way past. The fit out is every bit as chic as you’d expect, with a boutique feel to match the artisan-style baked goods. Timber herringbone floors frame the light-filled space, complimented by an array of elegant ambient lighting features.
With the venue’s signature sweet originating from Basque Country on the border between Spain and France, the menu offers a taste of the best of both worlds countries, with a Spanish Cheesecake and French Champagne selection.
To complement will be a rotating selection of sweet treats, batch brew and cold brew coffee, as well as a variety of gift pack options to suit every occasion.
Officially redefining (or forever ruining) the standard coffee catch-up with the gal pals, the most notable highlights will of course be that signature Basque cheesecake in addition to Champagne & sparkling wines available by the bottle.
The couple has worked hard to curate a “fun selection of bubbles across a few styles that we hope will cater to all taste palettes and budgets. Everything from Australian Pet Nat & Prosecco, Spanish Cava and of course a variety of French Champagnes including some of the big houses and some independent grower Champagnes.”
We’re not sure which part we’re most excited for, but it doesn’t matter bc we can have our champas and cake (and eat it too, obvs). But for now, our cravings remain well and truly off the Richter scale.
Where: 33b Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
When: Wednesday – Thursday 10-4, Friday & Saturday 10-6 (Sundays at HOTA Markets)
Website: Basque-cheesecake.square.site
Instagram: @basque.goldcoast
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.
Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!
Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue
Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue
Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue
Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue
Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue
Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue
5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue
Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue
Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions. Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue
Words by Bianca Trathen.
