We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Japanese food is one of life’s greatest pleasures. So when a new, perfectly curated eatery bringing the traditional tastes of Japan to Burleigh Heads opens up, we are obviously all about it.

The newbie, Oi Izakaya can be found in the little alleyway off James Street where the Mexi-goodness that is Hail Mary also resides.

It’s the work of local lads Troy Olsen and Stephen Thompson who, along with renowned Gold Coast design genius OJ Thompson (of Ally Chow and Etsu fame), have created something the Gold Coast is going to absolutely love.

The newbie is a low-lit, moody space reminiscent of back alley, Tokyo-style Izakayas with all burnt wood paneling, dark intimate corners and an open-style kitchen, so you can watch the magic unfold.

The bar, at one end fits snugly into the corner and is jam-packed with an impressive array of whisky’s (love you), sake and Japanese beers. Tiny samurai fight for attention on one wall, while a (really quite magical) golden orb shines out from another.

The vibe is the perfect combination of old school Japanese and modern sophistication and we’re big fans.

Menu-wise the eats are refined and authentic, infusing mind-blowing flavours into dishes you’ll never want to stop eating.

To start, sashimi, always. The freshest of tuna and salmon for your tasting pleasure. But also Edamame Cheese Chips, a thing we have never before had the pleasure of sampling but will now order at any and every opportunity. Don’t ask, just order.

The Squashed Cucumber is not only one of the great dish names, it is a great dish. Basically it’s cucumber in plum sauce but the flavours defy that overly simplistic description. Eat it.

Oi Izakaya also have a Sushi Burger on the menu and yes it is indeed stacked like your run-of-the-mill burger but made with sushi. Genius and so very tasty.

Of course, the menus’ pièce de résistance is Okonomiyaki, the dish that made Troy and Stephen fall in love with Japanese eats and the reason we now get to spend all our time at Oi Izakaya.

If you’ve not yet had the pleasure Okonomiyaki is made up of many things including egg, cabbage, flour, Japanese spices and your choice of meat. The dish we sampled was Hiroshima-style (with noodles) and it was the very best variety we’ve ever tasted.

We ate the entire thing and you should order it and subsequently be impressed by how good we are at eating.

To drink, we suggest getting involved in one of the MANY Japanese whisky’s on offer but if straight up isn’t your thing, the Brown Rice Old Fashioned is as good as it gets.

All in all, Oi Izakaya is quite a treat and the perfect addition to Burleigh’s foodie scene and we suggest you get down there at the earliest available opportunity and give the boys some love.

And if you need someone to mentor you in the art of whisky drinking, you know where to find us.

LOCATION: Shop 4-6, 30 James Street, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: Wednesday and Thursday 4.30pm until late, Friday to Sunday 12pm until late

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

We are of the opinion that there can always be more restaurants dedicated to the much-loved culinary group that is seafood.

Perfecting it is an art and one we are very happy to leave to the absolute professionals and also celebrate when it’s done well. Which it certainly is at Isle of Capri newbie Moana Restaurant and Bar.

Taking up space where (sadly) now closed Italian venue Cicchetti once lived at Capri on Via Roma, the newbie is the work of renowned (celebrity) chef Alex Kaihea who hails from our beloved neighbouring country, New Zealand.

The emphasis here is on the freshest of seafood, all locally sourced and with a focus on the flavours of the Pacific Rim and let us tell you Gold Coasters, there is many a tasty morsel on the menu.

But back to Chef Alex for a sec. He has been the owner of several successful NZ restaurants, appeared on a few food-style TV shows (our favourite) and since making the move to our shores, worked at famed seafood venue George’s Paragon before turning his attention to his very first Aussie venue. Lucky us.

Moana Restaurant and Bar is a 150-seat space with lots of glass and with a sparkly chandelier hanging from above, it’s every bit the sleek, sophisticated venue you’ve come to know and love at Capri on Via Roma.

As we mentioned, the menu is focused on seafood with fresh catches the order of the day, every day. There are small plates to start and the Ota Ika is the go with snapper fillets marinated in lime, cucumber, capsicum, spring onions and with cherry tomatoes, coriander, coconut cream and taro chips. A true Pacific Rim-inspired dish.

Of course, there are MANY types of oysters and mussels in flavour variations but the big plates are where it’s at.

We’re quite partial to dishes that highlight the magic of the Pacific Rim and highly recommend the Tahi, made up of the fish of the day, juicy prawns, scallops, bugs on rice and with white wine buerre blanc sauce. SO good and only $37.

Of course, there are tasty treats that don’t come from the sea, if that is more your jam.

Plus, of course, a drinks list that will having you sipping tipples and sampling succulent eats as the sun goes down every single day.

There are many a lunchtime special on offer too so if a lunchtime treat is something you feel like you deserve (which you do), pop on into Isle of Capri’s delightful newbie and prepare to feast on some of the very best seafood around.

How good is the Gold Coast.

LOCATION: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
HOURS: 11am until late daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If excellent eats with a side of water views is on your Christmas list this year, get excited, because Christmas has come early to Isle of Capri and you’re on the good kid list.

Madam Fu, sister venue of (also excellent) Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen on Chevron Island, opened just last week and (since we’re talking about Christmas for some reason), it is all your Christmases come at once.

Found at Capri on Via Roma, right on the waterfront at Isle of Capri, Madam Fu can be found right at the back overlooking the sparkly boats and offering sophisticated but also laidback dining vibes that’ll ensure you never want to leave.

If you’ve ever visited Fu Manchu, you’ll know the menu is packed with modern flavours combining Asian and European influences and Madame Fu offers up exactly the same level of goodness.

The dishes are all share-style (not that you’ll want to share) with a focus on local produce and native ingredients, a lot of which are foraged by the head chef from local areas. We love it when ingredients are foraged.

If you’re not familiar with the term, it means ‘obtained by searching’ and that is exactly what the team do, with their very own hands, to ensure the very best quality makes it to the plate.

All produce on the menu is sustainably caught and farmed and the team ensure they know everything can be reproduced at a sustainable level before taking anything. Which is the way of the future you guys.

Let’s chat about the dishes though because, like we said, all of the Christmases.

First up, the Hiramasa Kingfish with ginger dressing, apple and nasturtium is both sharp and melt-in-your-mouth and an absolute must-try. If you love an incredible dumpling, the Spanner Crab with prawn and ginger dashi is one of the very best we’ve tried.

Grilled King Prawns with green papaya som tam and toasted coconut is also exceptional with some of the plumpest prawns there has ever been.

Bao are also on the menu and Crispy Ssamjang Chicken with kewpie and cucumber pickle was our favourite (although we loved them all).

Also, for something green, the Fried Local Shishito Peppers with sambal mole and Manchego cheese (LOVE) were probably our favourite. One in 20 peppers is hot and the rest and sweet and delicious and yes, of course, we got a hot one. WORTH IT.

There are plenty of vegetarian dishes on offer of course and a wine and cocktail list that will ensure you don’t go thirsty.

All in all, a new favourite has arrived and soon enough you’ll be able to get the ferry to Isle of Capri from Surfers and Chevron Island and there are plans for some fun double-header dinners at Fu Manchu and Madam Fu in the works.

Oh Madam Fu, how we love you. You’re welcome.

LOCATION: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
HOURS: From 11.30am for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith