TaLA is now open.
TaLA is now open.
Today we find ourselves in Mexico, which is absolutely a place we’re happy to be (if only metaphorically), because in Mexico, there are tacos and there are margaritas. You know where else there are tacos and margaritas? The Collective in Palm Beach.
More specifically, the recently launched TaLA, a fresh new LA-inspired taco bar that is an absolute delight for the tastebuds.
TaLA opened on Tuesday 8th September (unsure how it’s September but here we are) and it’s perfectly at home amongst Luckie’s American Diner, Mazi’s Greek Kitchen, Umami’s Asian Fusion and The Italian Job’s pizzeria.
It’s a revamp of the previous Mexican venue at The Collective, with a whole new vibe and menu inspired by the Southern Californian-style of Mexi-eats.
LA taco bars have a history of ensuring the use of quality ingredients, brought to life with authentic Mexican recipes and experimental modern twists.
Delightful.
For example TaLA is serving up 16 (!) impressive taco creations, all of which are completely gluten-free.
With flavours like Dukka Lamb Rib with hummus, pomegranate and rocket and Pork Belly with pineapple curry and toasted coconut, you’re absolutely going to find something you love.
Veggie lovers are also well taken care of with options like Southern Fried Shimeji Mushroom with wasabi ranch and radish and Vegan Harissa Eggplant with parsley pesto and rocket.
How good do all of those sounds friends.
In keeping with The Collective’s share-plate vibe, there are of course, many incredible dishes to share too.
Popcorn Halloumi for one. It’s tempura battered haloumi with a red pepper sauce, Street Paella with chilli lime marinated squid, chorizo, sweetcorn, pickled onion petals, spiced mexi rice and grilled lime.
Umm, both of those please.
Of course there are many margaritas to order from the bar and if you ask us, that’ pretty much the best time you can have.
See you there every day of the week forever.
LOCATION: The Collective Palm Beach, 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Monday from 5pm until late, Tuesday to Sunday 12pm until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
New things are happening on the Gold Coast friends and that means our beloved dining scene is coming back to life. Which brings us (and no doubt you) much happiness.
One such new thing is the addition of a Greek eatery to Palmy’s favourite multi-cuisine venue The Collective, which is great for many reasons – first and foremost that we love Greek food and also that we can eat it there, on the rooftop overlooking Palmy and accompanied by bulk cocktails.
Not to mention that we obviously cannot travel for the foreseeable future so a little sojourn of sorts to the majestic Meditteranean is exactly what we need. And exactly what we’re going to get when Mazi opens on Friday June 12th.
Meaning ‘together’, Mazi is the perfect fit for The Collective’s group of eateries, all of which come together to create a space that has community at its’ heart.
Start your night with something delectable from the Meze menu like the Saganaki with honey soaked raisin, Olive oil grilled octopus skewers or Sage & garlic charcoal baked half shell scallops. Drool-worthy, we know.
Executive chef Jake Furst has created traditional Greek food with a fun, modern twist and with the introduction of a new charcoal grill, the signature meats will be hard to pass up.
The large shared plates offer you Slow Cooked Lamb Gyros, Half Marinated Chicken or a Chargrilled 1.4kg Cape Grim Tomahawk (designed to be shared between four friends) and they’re all of the highest quality and accompanied by seasonal ingredients to produce the finest meze around.
For dessert, there’s sweet traditional Greek donuts (Loukoumades) made fresh daily in flavours like Honey Pistachio, Lemon Curd or Nutella. Obviously, you’ll need to try them all.
The new space is decked out in the prettiest of peaches and is the first new venue to be introduced to The Collective in three years.
Cause for celebration if you ask us!
Head down to Palm Beach to check it out, as well as a few of those rooftop cocktails we mentioned.
Happy days Gold Coasters.
LOCATION: The Collective Palm Beach, 1128 Gold Coast Hwy
HOURS: Monday to Friday 5pm to 8.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.30am until 8.30pm
It’s one of life’s greatest pleasures; eating Mexican and drinking margis – sounds a bit corny but we stand by it. So it’s pretty darn lucky the Gold Coast is spoilt for choice when it comes to Mexican meals, mmm there’s a little Mariachi band playing in our head just thinking about it.
And if you don’t like Mexican then this is guac-ward, because we’ve done the heavy lifting – aka eating – so you can pick your taco joint of choice and put your taco where your mouth is. Come on, don’t be salty – unless you’re a margarita of course.
So here’s our round up of the Coast’s best spots to get your Mexican fix, but before you go don’t forget the rules – first we fiesta, then we siesta. We’ll be there faster than you can say “extra guac, please”.
Chicos Taqueria
Hola chica, this Southern Belle is one of the newest additions to the Mexican scene. And what do they bring to the table? Glad you asked because tacos and un-burrito-ble burritos are clear heroes but if we’re honest, we’re yet to taste a dish we didn’t like. Don’t fret if tacos are nacho vibe, get around the delicious little morsels of flavour that are their empanadas.
Where: 27-31 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters
Nude Amigos
Grab your (fully clothed) amigos and head on town to Cancun – uhh, we mean Broadbeach – because Nude Amigos might be nude in name but it’s flavours are anything but. The space is as light and breezy as it is chic and vibey, it’s basically just begging of you to sip back on one of the exotic (see: very fancy) tequilas that take pride of place behind the bar. In fantastic news for our across-the-border neighbours, they’ve opened a second venue in Kingscliff.
IWhere: Lot 1, 70 Surf Parade, Broadbeach and 60 Marine Parade, Kingscliff
El Camino Cantina
With shops across the country, we’re lucky to have ourselves one of these spicy little dens of Mexican magic here on the Goldy. Slip in and slip on a sombrero and let the endless fantastic food and de-lish cocktails flow. Overlooking one of the Gold Coast’s best known beaches – Surfers Paradise – it’s big on size, vibes and margs… No really, the margs are giant and nothing gets us going like a cocktail as big as our sombrero.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Panchos
Who said the beachside burbs should be having all the fun? Not us, so if you’ve been having a siesta on our humble Hinterland’s worst kept secret and Gold Coast institution, Panchos, then this is the sign you need to get on out to Mudgeeraba so they can guac your world. With splashes of colour from wall to wall plus enchiladas, margs and tinnies at the ready you’re set for a spec-taco-lar feed.
Where: 581 Springbrook Road, Mudgeeraba
Isla Cantina
Isla just go ahead and say it, this cal-mex might be the GOAT cultural combo and Isla Cantina understood the assignment when they curated not just their menu, but the holy trinity of Wing Wednesday, Taco Thursday and Sunday Specials so you’ve got not one, not two, but three reasons to treat yourself to those glorious water views and the Surfers skyline while you chow down on some mex-cellent fare.
Where: Shop4, G7 Capri on Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
Agave Rosa
Fresh, delish dishes with dashes of distinct oriental flavour (say that after a few tequilas), served Mexican style is what you’ll get in spades at Agave Rosa. It’s funky, bright and welcoming feels are perfectly complimented by their phenom menu mixing our two fave cuisines with finesse. And like any Mexican establishment worth its salt, their cocktails and margaritas slay!
Where: Shop 2/74 Musgrave Street, Coolangatta
Clay Cantina
It might just be the Cooly-est Mexican haunts to hit the south – Gold Coast we mean. The casual laneway dining outside and inviting, home-style dining inside makes the perfect home for this feisty Latina to dish up the best Mexican outside of the Motherland. And we’re not actually joking. Plus, you can transform into a Mexican Masterchef yourself with super fun classes using authentic ingredients and tools.
Where: 2/16 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Hail Mary
If you haven’t been to Hail Mary have you even been to Burleigh? Tucked away in a James Street laneway we’ll forgive you for missing this pink hued haven just this once. It’s not just it’s ridiculously good looks that maker her a winner, they deliver with the freshest, most flavoursome Mexican nosh you’ve ever tasted. With a daily lunch special like two tacos and a beer/wine or soft drink for $19, what are you even waiting for?
Where: 6/26 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Mexicali
Always busy, the Cali meets Mexico feels of Mexicali have us coming back again and again. You can’t go wrong with a banquet if you’re in a group, so you can think less about what to order and more about the margaritas on the horizon. Sunset cocktails on the balcony never get old, and a snap under the ever-changing lightbox message above the stairs is mandatory!
Where: Level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Bonita Bonita
Eats institution Bonita Bonita (and little sister Bon Bon pouring mezcals and tequilas for pre or post-dinner party starters) is a long-standing fave. Its dimly lit, moody and ornate interior design never ceases to impress and create an intimate vibe and while it’s traditionally been a dinner-only spot, the Mexican gods answered our prayers and we’re officially on for lunch Tuesday to Saturday. Enjoy the mouth-watering eats (the grilled corn…OMG) and don’t even get us started on the cocktails.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
California Tacos
SoCal vibes are so strong with this one it’ll have you singing CALIFORNIAAAAAA, here we come… No? Just us then. Well if you can depend on anywhere to give you a taste of authentic Mexican street-style tacos it’s a place called California Tacos, step into the beachy vibe at Burleigh or Broady and get better acquainted with the well-stocked bar – the only way a bar should be, we say. Salud!
Where: 1718 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads & 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Costa Taco
Overcoming the momentary temptation to leave this one out (in hopes of greedily keeping more of those highly coveted tables all for ourselves) – but no list about epic Mexican spots would be complete with such a glaring omission. Especially now they’ve opened another outpost in Broadbeach. Dishing up authentic Mexican eats, the menu is short but sweet, sticking only to their specialities with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients.
Where: Cnr Armrick Ave and Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach and 1136 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Aztec
Kicking around since 1995, The Aztec Broadbeach…along with The Aztec Coolangatta…is a hit with the whole fam, boasting a fun-loving mixture of cosy booths, ultra-modern furnishings, neon lights and an epic fluoro bar. A colourful and upbeat venue, you’re spoilt for choice with all the Mexican goodies you’d hope to find and half price lunches Friday through Sunday in case you needed any more convincing.
Where: The Aria Building, Shop 11/17 Albert Avenue, Broadbeach & 152 Griffith Street (Twin Towns end), Coolangatta
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski
