Reignite the love affair with Little Truffle 2.0.
Reignite the love affair with Little Truffle 2.0.
We’ve all been there: one minute we’re minding your own business, the next, our heart skips a beat at the sight of our screen alight with “the name” we’d done our very best to forget. Well, good news Gold Coasters, because today we can rekindle our love affair with an old flame (sans regret), because this is one instance where answering the allure of that proverbial ‘u up’ call doesn’t spell big trouble truffle.
Oh yes, friends – if you haven’t yet heard the whispers (good news truffles fast) Mermaid’s beloved Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar is back.. and looking finer than ever #lickslips
Ever since we copped the dreaded ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ when they temporarily shut up shop for renovations late last year, southern Gold Coasters have been nursing the heartbreak of a big ol’ Little Truffle shaped hole in their eats scene.
Local hospo power couple Daniel and Reggie Ridgeway this week unveiled the fresh new facelift for Little Truffle – and it’s every bit as jaw-droppingly good as you’d expect. While at heart, thankfully it’s the same signature cuisine the GC’s fine dining fans have been smitten (some might say obsessed) with for some 13 years now.
Among the impressive culinary empire the duo has since built – BiN 232 Pacific Fair, Palm Beach Avenue and now Kwila Lodge, though for many – much like owner and chef Daniel, our secret soft spot for his OG venture has endured.
The intermission has been hard on all involved, none moreso than Daniel, musing that the 11-month wait has been far too long, “our loyal customers have missed us and we have certainly missed them.”
He adds “but the wait is finally over… We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to see what we have created.”
And with those dark days officially behind us, it is safe to say it was every bit worth the wait.
Little Truffle 2.0 has been treated to a grown-up glow-up to match its refined eats, combining moody Hollywood Glam elements with Jazz Bar vibes for an aesthetic that we’ve officially dubbed ‘Gold Coast Grandeur’.
The suave new space is just about as opulent as our eateries on the GC get – bedecked with opulent baroque mirrors, chandeliers, luxe herringbone floors, strategically draped velvet curtains and two private dining rooms. The second of which remains shrouded in mystery, as a very exclusive vault-vibing space for 20 guests with its own private entry (in sad news for our star spotting ops).
The dream team went to just a little truffle for the revamp – the timing of the massive million-dollar renovation being a tactical move to coincide with light rail works in the area. Stopping just short of a knock-down rebuild, the head-to-toe spruce up features a complete change of layout, new kitchen and a generous, marble bar ample plush seating for the most boujee ‘bar food’ we might ever encounter.
Fans of the signature amuse bouche starter will be relieved to find it has retained its rightful place, so we can pick off exactly where we left off… One taste, and it’s like we were never apart.
With the palette very pleased, move on to entrees such as beef tartare, confit tuna or heirloom beetroot salad, though the pillowy, wood fired focaccia, mozzarella, balsamic appetiser is a little slice of culinary cloud 9.
For the main event, the selection between main and grill & wood fired is every bit as sumptuous as you’d expect. Our flaming hot tip? Don’t make the ‘misteak’ of skipping the beef rib eye on the bone, for 1kg of Cape Grimm and mustard goodness in all its glory.
Though for seafoodies there’s little ‘trout’ the ocean trout made with crustacean mousse line encased in zucchini flowers, all finished in champagne sauce will have you hook, line and sinker.
Finish by diving into the dessert developed by angels themselves, with a raspberry souffle served with white chocolate sauce – though, the strawberries Romanoff also had us under their spell.
Which, fittingly, is exactly what we would say about the new Little Truffle 2.0 experience across the board, tbh.
Where: 2444 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Lunch: Friday & Saturday 12pm till 3pm, Dinner: Monday – Saturday 5.30pm till late.
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Every now and again, we catch whispers of a brand new venue coming to town that makes us sit up, pay attention and perhaps even put our phones down #gasp (right after we’ve tagged our foodie BFFs), because it promises to bring a totally new experience unlike anything we have on offer. No need to make like it’s 2009 and change your status to ‘it’s complicated’ because Mermaid’s latest newcomer officially makes the question of ‘where to?’ very simple. All roads lead to TØKOH.
You might be forgiven for assuming it’s just another trendy dining destination to pop up in one of the Gold Coasts it-suburbs, but a name derived from the Indonesian word for ‘leader’ is the first hint TØKOH is on a mission to bring a unique experience to the GC eats scene. Taking up residence right in the heart of Mermaid’s bustling strip among culinary heavy-hitters Glenelg, Cantina and Bonita Bonita, you know they’re not messing around.
TØKOH not only addresses the distinct lack of Indonesian-style eats on the Coast, but also promises to reimagine the whole dining experience to something more reminiscent of an opulent, immersive dinner party. Consider us officially brushing up on our dinner party conversation topics (jks, where are all my millennials at *awkward silence intensifies*)
If you’re not already familiar with TØKOH’s owners Maddy Norton and Lachlan Cuskelly, you’ll certainly be well acquainted with their prior experience on the GC eats scene. Having previously worked out of iconic names like Commune and Etsu before going on to bring us much-loved destinations Suzy BBQ and Panchos Mexican, they’re bringing a whole new dream to life and it promises to be a space of ‘absurdity and pleasure’…*ahem* culinarily speaking, of course #notthatkindofplace.
Inspired by the duo’s cherished memories of gallivanting across the vibrant Gili islands, indulging in Jakarta’s colourful street cuisine, and hopping from one bar to another in Canggu, it’s clear they took their research very seriously #dedication. Combine that with a wealth of industry experience and you know our own little slice of Indo, GC style.
While we can all agree to leave the Bintang singlets at home, they are serving Bintang beers and even have a romantic little Bintang Bass bottle opener specially designated for cracking the top of Indo’s finest ale.
TØKOH boasts a bar that’s decidedly, not like the other bars. On arrival, it stands as a welcoming beacon at which to gather while the decision to eliminate conventional fixtures helps to achieve that notion by stripping away distractions – #lessismore. It’s got to be said the light above the bar is a masterpiece/ambience maker.
The inviting feel is continued throughout the selections with a communal table to create a space for authentic connections and that trademark dining party experience, and we have it on good authority Maddy is responsible for painting every inch of the warm textured walls. The addition of a playful yet elegant ‘disco vinyl red room’ will be a visual feast for the senses while no doubt doubling as excellent talking points if the conversation lulls. Plus the vinyl player and huge collection of vinyls will add the sounds.
Before we tease you too much (again, not that kind of place), we’re happy to confirm they’ve also goreng all out when it comes to the eats too. In fact, they’ve taken it a step further with many of their unique flavours and ingredients made on site, from the hot-like-a-sunrise house-made sambals right through to sodas and even crafting their own spirits #thatsonefancydinnerparty.
Chef Mario Georgiou heads a team bringing their respective experience from various Michelin star venues the world over, and bringing to life the TØKOH ethos that is celebration of super fresh local produce and a focus on flavor-forward food.
And starting the night with a cheeky serve of Sardines on crack with Crispy fried mustard seed marinated sardines, pickled cucumber dusted in Tokoh crack salt will undoubtedly deliver on the flavour-forward promise.
Follow it up with the likes of charcoal Chicken skewers with a seductive smoky chicken skin crumb or boujee fillet ‘o’ fish sandos (seriously the best) with Crispy fried coconut crumbed tuna, Pickled cucumber, Papaya slaw and now it’s really a (dinner) party.
For seafood fans, o-fish-al word on the street is the Aromatic Fish Head Curry with Snapper, Yellow curry sauce, Fried sambal matah and peanut mix is an unmissable masterpiece.
And when we start seeing all the tropical suspects like coconut, pandan, guava and pineapple gracing the cocktail menu, our eyes light up like a tourist during beachside happy hour. Either the Disco Spritzo with Orange, Peach nectar, Chrysanthemum or the Mango Cruiser with complete with Buttered brioche, Vanilla, Benzoin will surely taste like island vacay in a glass, but you should probably sample both just for good measure.
Zac & Kaden, the geniuses behind the bar are absolutely masters of their craft. Be sure to leave room for dessert because the Egg Nog Affogato is un.for.gettable!
So if it’s tantalising tropical-inspired fare and an indulgent, immersive experience that’s in order, come and TØKOH load off when the doors officially open on Saturday, because this is one dinner party that is guaranteed to be a bore-free zone.
Case in point, our night may or may not have ended with a round of Danger Margs. Ask for a round if you dare, but beware they’re not for the faint of heart!
When: Wednesday – Sunday from 5pm – late
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Words by Kellie Leader.
