Something fun is happening up north friends and it’s all yours to enjoy as of right now. Think beer garden meets mini golf meets bowling alley and a little bit of tasty food thrown into the mix and you’ve got yourself The Park, Coomera’s brand new state-of-the-art entertainment precinct.

It’s been a little while in the making but, as Mum used to say while dragging us around the supermarket in search of snacks, good things come to those who wait and now it’s time to rally your inner child (or your actual child) and get ready for some fun.

Here’s the lowdown.

The Park Coomera offers eight lanes of full AMF bowling combining all the things you know and love about ten pin bowling with luxury lounge furniture there’s also touch screens so you can choose your own video and enjoy some sweet beats while you play.

Putt in The Park will feature 18 holes of fun designed around a parkland theme and featuring lots of pretty native Australian flora and fauna (plus some non-locals) with a few laughs thrown in for good measure.

In case two of the greatest games in the world aren’t your thing, you’re welcome to head in and sink beers instead of balls at the fancy pants beer garden. All your fave beers and wines will be there along with some tasty cocktails to keep things real (and even more competitive).

Food-wise, there are lots of tasty things to sample, all whipped up by Head Chef Fabio Morganti who brings experience from across the globe.

South African born with Italian heritage, Fabio learned about good food produce from a young age as his father was an importer of Italian culinary products. With a love of traditional flavours using modern techniques, Fabio will bring the latest street food trends along with some sweet wood fired pizzas to The Park Coomera.

Speaking of wood fired pizzas; there’ll be metre long ones so make sure you bring a big crew.

ALSO, there’ll be live entertainment on weekends featuring some of South East Queensland’s best soloists with more entertainment to be announced. Oh and guys, there’s two big old LED screens for all those sporting events you simply can’t miss.

See, fun for everyone. Weekend plans sorted and you are welcome.

LOCATION: 103 Foxwell Road, Coomera
HOURS: 10am until 10pm daily

Words by Kirra Smith

We’ve got it on good authority that every brunch in the UK is a boozy one. We’re all for that obviously and it’s come to our attention that there simply aren’t enough boozy brunches in our lives.

Luckily, we’ve found a couple of lads who share our thoughts and they have come to the rescue. Said lads are Pete Jeary and Clark Lynn, a UK born pair who, in the last few days, opened brand new brunch spot Cross + Feather in Paradise Point and (you guessed it) they’re big fans of a tipple or two at brunch too.

Found on Grice Ave, just off the main drag in the delightful waterfront suburb, Cross + Feather is a pared back, intimate space all moody hues and hanging greenery and one of the very best pieces of art we’ve ever laid eyes on. You can choose to sit up at the bar and watch Pete make magic via cocktails and also gaze lovingly at the copper bar or, outside on the street to people watch and soak up that (very necessary right now) ocean breeze.

As mentioned, Pete and Clark hail from the UK but more importantly, they met at much-loved (and really quite famous) restaurant Hawksmoor where Pete invented a cocktail called Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew and dubbed it ‘a turbo-shandy for the discerning drinker’ which is still served there today, won a slew of high profile awards AND (most importantly) is now served right here on the Gold Coast. At Cross + Feather. Obviously.

It’s made with Beefeater Gin; blended with fresh lemon and house-made ginger syrup and topped with Roger’s Amber Ale and it is possibly the zestiest, most refreshing tipple there has even been. No exaggeration. Oh and 50 cents from each one ordered is donated to Act For Kids, charity dedicated to child abuse and neglect.

So there’s that. There’s also an entire breakfast cocktail menu including the new love of our lives, the Highland Breakfast Martini, made with Kamm and Sons English Aperitif, shaken with a generous teaspoon of Chef’s handmade marmalade and then lightly toasted with a splash of smoky scotch whisky. The smokiness is the winner here, offset perfectly by the sweet marmalade and a cocktail that might just change your life (and made you want to snuggle up by the fire someplace where it snows a lot). Bye.

Food-wise, the menu is refined breakfast slash brunch eats and all your favourites are on offer but don’t go thinking you’ll find any run-of-the-mill dishes here.

How does Champagne Infused Eggs Benedict sound? Epic, yes. Tastes even better. Let’s discuss the Mushroom Bruschetta though because who knew mushrooms could be so very tasty. Nobody, that’s who. Well, Chef John obviously. So it’s Toasted New York-style rye bread with rosemary and garlic roast field mushrooms, mushroom parfait, mushroom soil, shaved Gruyere, white truffle and egg yolk jam. One of the great breakfast dishes, sharp and tangy and mouthwateringly delicious.

For lunch, there’s a Kingfish Ceviche with sunrise lime, sea fennel, burnt mango, fermented cucumber and native botanicals and again, can we eat this every day please?

The Raw is also a good time with seasonal baby vegetables, apple-smoked coconut yoghurt, watermelon radish, leek ash and carab soil. Pretty as a picture and the perfect flavour combination.

We could go on but no doubt you’re hungry now and same.

Make it a priority to pay Paradise Point a visit and eat one of everything, washed down with a breakfast cocktail or two.

Boozy brunch is back, baby.

Bye.

LOCATION: 2/2 Grice Ave, Paradise Point
HOURS: 5.30am until 3pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Exciting news Coomera clan, your brand new Westfield is well underway and we’ve got the scoop as to exactly what you can expect come October.

As you’d know, Westfield’s are like the King’s Landing of shopping centres; the biggest and the best filled with surprises at every turn and the occasional traitor (come Boxing Day sales).

Westfield Coomera is no exception. It’s set to become one of the Gold Coast’s dining, lifestyle and entertainment destinations of choice and northerners, you should definitely be excited.

Let’s start with the eats, because that’s a good time for everyone. The cuisine selection will tantalise all tastebuds with a range spanning the entire globe. Tapworks Bar and Grill will keep things close to home with a huge selection of craft beer and all your favourite pub-style meals while Kamikaze Teppanyaki & Bar will bring the good times and the tasty eats with a modern take on traditional teriyaki.

Beach House Bar and Grill is a double storey venue offering the very best in modern Australian and coastal dining and Nahm Thai Restaurant will offer a contemporary take on traditional Thai dishes. Burger lovers are covered by much-loved Betty’s Burgers who also bring tasty thickshakes and their signature desserts to the mix and this is only a tiny selection of the eateries Westfield Coomera has on offer.

There’ll also be homemade dumplings, Mexican street food, a rib house and a venue specifically for sweet, delicious crepes. How good!

Not only food though (obviously) the centre boasts some fun lifestyle features like iPlay Adventure featuring Clip N Climb, high-ropes course, roller-skating, laser tag and arcade games to blow off some energy after all that eating.

Plus, a place called The Park Coomera is a putt putt meets beer garden style situation with a full bar and pizzeria, bowling lane, live music stage and life-sized board games and that is the greatest addition to a shopping centre in the history of Queensland.

In all, the new space will be home to over 140 specialty stores plus plenty of outdoor areas for bulk relaxing and a market-inspired fresh food destination.

Sounds pretty good to us. Stay tuned for further information and an exact opening date.

Credit cards at the ready.

LOCATION: Foxwell Rd, Coomera

Words by Kirra Smith