You may have heard the happy news that Harbour Town was set to open a brand new dining precinct, aptly named Harbour Town Eats, and that is a thing that has happened as of a short while ago.

The bright, open air space is filled with sweet new venues, one of which is Crafty’s Sports Bar and the exact venue we’re here to discuss. You’ll find the newbie on a corner block at the entrance to the precinct and it’s not a place you should (or will want to) stroll by.

A green neon sign makes Crafty’s known at the front and rounding the corner you’ll alight upon a venue that will delight both your eyeballs and your tastebuds. It’s a flowing indoor slash outdoor dining scenario all modern white tables and light leather seating dashed with a hint of royal blue and bright green and quite sports bar-esque but also unlike any sports bar you’ve ever seen before.

Which, in large part, is due to the pastel pink bubble waffle truck situated at the entrance and within the outdoor dining area (more on that later). Inside, you can choose to be seated in the casual, high table filled, bar side area or in a slightly more formal dining area. The two are separated by a see through shelf type situation filled with said royal blue and bright green sports shaped goodies in perfectly neat rows and we kind of love it.

Game rules are splashed across the back wall and, in the far corner, a ping pong table can be found for a bit of “competitive socialising” as the Crafty’s crew like to call it. New fave saying.

It’s the perfect fitout for a venue that’s been deemed by owner Dave Galvin, as a modern sports bar that’s a little bit playful and perfect for everyone from sports lovers to casual cocktail enthusiasts and, of course, families.

The menu is made up of all the very best things and is a blend of both comfort and clean eating style foods so you can choose your own adventure.

We suggest starting with a Soft Pretzel and golden ale cheese dip because it is soft and fluffy and that cheese dip, no words. Give the Crafty’s Hot Dog a go too; it comes with condiments on the side so you can add crunchy onions (those have a real name, it escapes us), mustard and a few other things to your hearts content. A very good hot dog.

For mains, don’t go past a burger (or hot sandwich as Crafty’s like to call it) and in particular, the Fried Chicken Breast with slaw, cheese, hot sauce, mayo and pickles. YUM. A crowd fave has been the Chilli Caramel Pork Hock and it’s a share-worthy dish boasting the most mouth-watering scent we’ve ever come across. Sides-wise, the sweet corn with chipotle and Parmesan is an absolute stunner. There are plenty of pizzas on the menu too so grab the whole gang and make a night of it.

Look, the whole menu is next-level so no matter what you choose, you’ll roll out a happy camper. And yes, there are some vegetarian options on offer too (also delicious).

For dessert, you’ll obviously order a bubble waffle and you can choose exactly how it’s made by adding toppings and sweet sauces and many a tasty treat that are popped inside soft, sugary bubble waffles and so very heavenly.

At the bar, of course there are many craft beer options and a range of signature cocktails including one we must mention known as The GOAT. It’s a delightful little mix of a Pina Colada and tequila and oh Mother of cocktail goodness, get involved in that guy for sure.

As of this weekend, you can enjoy brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s and there’ll be a DJ busting out tunes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. What a time.

Everything about the place is absolutely top notch and since it’s the season of over indulgence and treating yo’self, you better get there quick smart and do exactly that.

LOCATION: Harbour Town Eats, Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
HOURS: 11am until 12am Monday to Friday and 9am until 12am Saturday and Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If there’s one thing you didn’t know was missing in your life Gold Coasters it is a perfectly placed wine and brunch bar and hold onto your hats because we have news.

Frederick’s quietly opened their doors just recently, to rave reviews might we add, and it is everything you could ask for in a wine and brunch bar plus a little bit of added luxury and you are going to love it.

Found in the space where Sparrow Eating House once stole our hearts, Frederick’s certainly lives up to its predecessor but with an entirely different, and equally loveable offering.

The space is reminiscent of a wine bar you might find on the streets of NYC but, with teal accents and timber and brass dotted throughout, it’s perfectly at home in the delightful little oceanside suburb of Nobby Beach.

In the front window, a corner comprising of four lounge-style chairs is the perfect spot for a Sunday afternoon session of sipping and people watching while stools at the bar offer more of a bar snacks and wine tasting vibe.

In the back, a low-lit area is made up of slightly more formal dining tables with plenty of peeking-into-the-kitchen opportunities. The polished concrete floor and low-hanging lighting give the space a soft, refined industrial look and we’re all about it.

Let it be known, we’re quite keen on the menu too. There’s a breakfast slash brunch menu absolutely mouth watering dishes along the lines of Local Sandcrab Omelette with fermented chilli and spring onion on sourdough and word on the street is, folks have been coming back day after day to eat this dish.

Not to mention the Waffle with whipped Nutella, roasted hazelnuts and Davidson plums and Tartine of Roasted Pumpkin with goat curd, pepitas and preserved lemon on Burleigh baker sourdough. Actual flavour sensations.

Those dishes can be found on the All Day menu while treats like Snapper Dumplings and Fresh Oysters with orange dressing on the after 11am menu.

The Bar Menu also boasts the tastiest of oysters plus Woodfired Corn (love you), with spicy aioli and pecorino and there’s a Lemon Tart with whipped Mascarpone that we could eat every day forever.

In the evening, the fun really begins with cheese and cured meats on the menu and if there are three things we could not live without in this life, they are cheese, cured meats and life-changing wine. We’re really happy Frederick’s is here.

Of course, each and every one of those dishes can be, and is, perfectly matched to one of the MANY varieties of wine on offer and a treat Frederick’s wine list is.

There are 21 tipples by the glass and 50 by the bottle and there are many Australian varieties on offer along with a select few from France, Italy and Spain. Each one is by a small batch producer and each one is absolute magic.

Also, in the name of allowing us to sample more exceptional wines, owners Andrew and Jayden (father and son) employed the help of a contraption called a Coravin which pierces the cork of the wine bottle and then reseals it so the wine lasts longer for us lucky folks.

Just quickly, Frederick’s was named after a man called Frederick Fowler who lost his bull (Nobby) in, yes, Nobby Beach and the guys wanted to pay a little homage to that fun tale.

One last thing, there is a five course degustation matched with wine and cocktails that you may partake in and the menu changes weekly so there’s a(nother) reason to go weekly.

Most importantly perhaps, you may also drink cocktails at breakfast time (from 10am).

It’s your new favourite place to be and we will no doubt see you there on the regular.

LOCATION: 2/32 Lavarack Rd, Nobby Beach
HOURS: From 7am until 2pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 7am until late Thursday to Saturday and 7am until 6pm Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Burleigh Heads is where it’s at this summer Gold Coasters with brand new eateries popping up in every spare inch of space and even more to come over the next few weeks.

The latest to hit the streets is Bondi Grill’e, fresh out of Coolangatta, and into our lives. The sleek new venue can be found underneath Ambience Burleigh and just down the way from Oh My, Waffle.

The newbie boasts a menu primarily focused on perfectly cooked meats that are a fusion of South African and modern Australian flavours, perfectly home in a moody, low-lit space dotted with a few select pieces of artwork and an industrial-style aesthetic.

There are tables both inside and out so you can choose from an intimate and a bulk people watching vibe and we particularly love the bench-style seating running along the side wall. It’s a sweet shade of olive green and the seats themselves are those old school steel folding kind of ones your Nan used to whip out at parties back in the day, bringing Bondi Grill’e both a sense of nostalgia and the cool, old-school vibe we dig.

As mentioned, the menu is packed full of tasty (m)eats with all your classic steakhouse faves including steaks, ribs and salads absolutely made to perfection.

In terms of ribs you may choose from beef, lamb or pork and these are all (of course) slow cooked and basted in a secret sauce (that will blow your mind) and served with chips or potatoes.

The menus’ steaks are the finest cuts of Australian prime beef around and are also basted in a secret sauce that we hope to somehow steal the recipe for someday. Don’t tell them that.

Of course there are chicken (the Portuguese is a winner) and seafood options and a stack of sides you won’t want to pass up.

We alluded to Coolangatta earlier and that is because the Bondi Grill’e dream began down south with a slightly more casual version that’s absolutely adored by locals.

The main difference between the two is that Burleigh boasts a share plate menu in case (and we know it is) that is your dining style of choice.

Options include Pork Belly that is slow roasted and served with roasted onion, dry grapes, toasted almonds, carrot puree and red wine jus (which is to die for) and a Pumpkin Salad that’ll tickle your tastebuds. There’s also a Charcuterie Board stacked with a selection of incredible dried meats, pickled vegetables and chutney. Oh how we adore you chutney.

The wine and cocktail menus are perfectly curated to match the food and we predict many an eve spent with loved ones at this classy space.

Bondi Grill’e 2.0 (and 1.0 for that matter) is the work of a few good folks who were set to open the store in another Burleigh space (where Mr Hizola’s now lives) about a year ago but circumstances beyond their control stopped it from happening.

In the spirit of never giving up though, the team finally made it a goer and we are certainly stoked they did. Pop down and give them some love, you might just discover your new favourite eating establishment.