Jaybriell’s brings flavourful Middle Eastern food to our shores.
Jaybriell’s brings flavourful Middle Eastern food to our shores.
Finding worldly food — and great worldly food at that — is a breeze these days on the Gold Coast. We have it all. Grab your globe, give it a spin and wherever your finger lands, you can let your tastebuds be transported. One such cuisine you will no doubt love is from Lebanon. Although in recent times, it’s a fair comment to say it has been underrepresented in our fair city and, to be honest, that’s a crime against cuisine.
Jaybriell’s is the newly-opened flavour-packed Lebanese eatery in Mermaid Waters, taking your tastebuds on a journey! And we insist anyone with a well-travelled palate should be making serious considerations to check it out.
Centrally located at the Mermaid Waters Shopping Village on Markeri Street, making your way to this haven of taste is easy work. Once arrived, you’ll find the restaurant is a humble ode to clean and minimalistic décor: with fresh white walls, beige seating and subtle hints of the Middle East for the observant eye. Least to say, the setting is dreamy and sets the scene perfectly for the impending flavours.
The essence here is to make and serve fully authentic Middle Eastern food, no bars held. Fresh and housemade across the entire menu.
The food offering has elements of sharing alongside dedicated mains — perfect if you feel like a particular dish requires your undivided attention. Mezza (small) plates are divided into hot and cold sections and the best way to start things off would be with their homemade Hummus — can’t stop dipping, won’t stop dipping. Next, you could then sample some Fried Cauliflower in a speciality (secret) sauce before tackling a traditional Shawarma Lamb plate with smokey, fresh tangs of marinated meat straight from the chargrill. Quite frankly, the options are vast, and we think being tactically hangry is the only way to arrive at Jaybriell’s.
If mouth-watering morsels weren’t enough, then a drinks list with a collection of speciality cocktails is sure to round things off. Aptly named with Lebanon in mind, you can select martini style drinks like the striking Jounieh Bay with Blue Alize, or if you like to take things slow and sip away, then the Beirut Sunset with lashings of vodka and Raspberry liqueur is likely more your thing.
Currently open every day and serving lunches through the weekend, the last three weeks have seen a flurry of overly satisfied patrons. Currently, the owners have some under the radar plans which they shared with us. They intend to create family-style Sunday lunches where kids will be made most welcome, incorporating the large park area to the rear of the restaurant — meaning everyone can enjoy themselves over great food without a hitch. Watch this space, people!
When: Monday — Wednesday 5pm – late and Thursday — Sunday 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Where: 7a/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
The year has kicked off in a good way Gold Coasters. We’ve already been gifted a few sweet new venues and from what we’re hearing, there’s plenty more on the way.
And one that’s already here that you don’t need us to tell you is an absolute must-visit is Espresso Moto Mermaid and see, what a time to be alive.
The team who started their run in Palm Beach quite a few years ago, have opened a similarly epic space on a corner block in Markeri Street with plenty of good vibes and even better brews and eats on offer.
The space wraps around the street facing block with open windows all around, both outdoor and indoor seating, plants suspended from the ceiling and dotted throughout and of course, a neon sign in the back reading ‘Moto Nights’. Which we all know are the best kind.
Recycled timber from Burleigh Second Hand has been used to craft the windows and a vintage surfboard shapers bench has been repurposed too. It all comes together perfectly.
Now if you’ve had the pleasure of visiting the OG in Palmy, you’ll know the eats are as good as it gets. Luckily, some things don’t change and we can confirm the same for the newbie.
The Bacon & Egg Roll has (and always will be) a firm favourite, absolutely stacked with streaky Canadian bacon plus aioli and housemate tomato relish on a twisted ciabatta slipper. The goods.
There’s also the You all know me A.E.P that we LOVED. It’s got all of the avocado, edamame, and pea smash with pumpkin hummus, spinach, bullseye beets and wasabi peas on toasted sourdough. Defs taste that one.
Plus Eggs Benedict with house made hollandaise on ciabatta with a choice of bacon, smoked salmon or roasted mushrooms AND an epic Breaky Bao with streaky bacon or mushrooms with poached eggs, spinach, chilli jam and miso aioli. Both taste sensations obviously.
To sip, All Press coffee – a big, fat chocolately blend in fact and one we like very much. There’s also an array of fresh juices, smoothies (the banana is heaven), house made Chai teas and soft drinks too.
Keep an eye out for Espresso Moto Mermaids’ Seafood night featuring all your faves; fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari, school prawns and fish tacos to name a few plus of course beer on tap and a selection of wines.
Trust us, their night eats are easily as delicious as their daytime ones.
That’s a lot of good stuff from the crew.
Get down there and show them (and your belly) some love.
LOCATION: 1/88 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters
HOURS: From 5.30am daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Here we are again to discuss a few of our absolute favourite things –you guessed it – exceptional eats and interiors we would like to replicate in our own homes immediately thank you very much.
The latest combination of the two and our most recent eatery crush, can be found in a little place we (and everyone else) like to call Mermaid Waters, where many a great little venue lives and a spot we will now be visiting a LOT more regularly.
It’s called Project Tokyo and it’s an intimate space found in the precinct where Lucky Bao and Nude Sisters Kitchen also reside, bringing the aforementioned exceptional eats and interiors, Japanese-style.
It’s the work of Franz and Geoff, a hospitality guru and chef who have long wanted to open a venue of this variety and we’re pretty happy they did.
The interior is the work of one OJ Thompson, the genius behind Oi Izakaya, Goto Restaurant in Southport and Double Barrel Kitchen (to name a few). It’s made up of moody blues and natural wood with beautiful, authentic artwork painted onto the walls and flags marking the entrance.
It’s pared back, perfectly put together and exactly the type of space we Gold Coasters love.
Menu-wise you can expect modern Japanese dishes from snacks and starters including the always-loveable Edamame, Lotus Root chips and tasty salads to signature dishes and some absolute stunners off the grill.
The Fried Lotus Chips with Miso Kingfish and Salmon Tataki were a standout and one of Chef Misa’s creations so don’t miss out on that one.
We of course, recommend all of the sashimi – Seared Tuna, Kingfish and Seared Salmon, fresh and delicious, yes please. Next up, the Gyoza is some of the best we’ve sampled, so definitely choose a few of those too.
The Duck Harumake was a standout, a crispy little package filled with duck, carrot and wombok and served with sticky Hoi Sin sauce. Loved it.
There’s also sushi, some very delicious tempura dishes, chicken yakitori (skewers) and grilled scallops you’ll definitely want to taste.
For dessert don’t go past the Chocolate Fondant with Green Tea ice cream, it’s next-level.
In conclusion, you should probably try everything and maybe go back the next night to do it all again.
Project Tokyo is that good.
LOCATION: 90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters
HOURS: Open for dinner Wednesday to Monday and lunch Saturday and Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
