Manolas Brothers Delicatessens, Gold Coast, Australia

Biggest lamingtons I've ever seen - size them up to the panettone to the right. 

A sensory overload, Manolas Brothers Delicatessens is packed floor to ceiling with temptations that will leave any foodie with a puddle of saliva at their feet. House made salads, risottos, pastas and a whole bundle of sweets are ready for take away or to be eaten either at the long coffee bar running down the middle or al fresco under umbrellas on the street. Enter at your own risk and beware of the mesmerizing oversized dessert section at the front.

Manolas Brothers Delicatessens
17 a/19 Albert Ave
Aria Building
Broadbeach, 4218
QLD, Australia
+61 07 5538 8223
into@m-b-d.com.au
www.m-b-d.com.au

Supermarkets and the Great Outdoors in Australia

Australia can be an expensive place to eat. But not to worry the quality of the produce is so high you don't need a fine dining establishment to prepare it for you. Grab yourself some fresh seafood from the local supermarket or fishery, a delicious bottle of sparkling from Dan Murphy's and take your pick of beautiful scenery to enjoy your meal - beach, river, park - any of them offer a by far more delightful setting than any restaurant guaranteed. 

Kampung Malay, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Australia

What a delightful surprise to find Kampung Malay in the quite suburb of Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast. Just when we thought we had reached the top of food heaven with the high quality produce and excellent wine in Australia we were directed to this local hot spot. Packed with locals most evenings, with a line up for takeaway too, this restaurant has done a fine job of making Malay cuisine accessible to Aussie taste buds. The chef has adapted the spices (reduced the heat), uses quality cuts of meat (no grissle or bones) and taken advantage of top grade local ingredients to enable virgin Aussie taste buds to be gently initiated into the joys of Malaysian cuisine. Every dish on our table was devoured in moments, but a special mention goes to the rainbow beef which was so popular that seconds were ordered with some begging to also take a third batch home. I'm interested to know what a native Malaysian might think of these adaptations and if they would find the food equally enjoyable. My guess is yes!

Kampung Malay

16 & 17/ 2 Bell Central

Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast

Queensland, Australia, 4213

+61 07 5569 0085

www.kampungmalay.com.au

Borough Barista, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia

Borough Barista has great reviews from locals on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately though we arrived Christmas Eve just as they were closing up, earlier than usual for the holiday. We had time for a cup of Campos coffee but didn't get to sample the breakfast or goodies that are famously cooked by the owner's wife. Judging from the few people still milling around, the latte I had and a glance at the menu it's worth another shot next visit. At any rate the coffee was worthy of the trip. If you happen to visit note the small seating area, so ideally grab your goodies to go and walk across the road to the best  setting around - the beautiful parkland and beach of Burleigh Heads.

Borough Barista
14 The Esplanade
Burleigh Heads
Gold Coast, QLD
Australia

Macadamias, Gold Coast, Australia

One of the few foods native to Australia, the macadamia has to be one of the tastiest nuts around. Expensive if you buy them from the store, but quite reasonable if you purchase a bag from the roadside. Keep your eye out for signs while driving the back roads on the outskirts of the Gold Coast or on your way to Mt. Tamborine or O'Reilly's. Simply pull up to the gate, leave your money in the box and take a bag. Be prepared with a hefty nut cracker or hammer though as these things are tough to crack.

On the side of the road

Queensland, Australia

Witches Falls Winery, Mt. Tamborine, Gold Coast, Australia

Witches Falls is the only working winery on Mt. Tamborine and has been named by a number of wine critics as the best on the mountaintop. Besides the obvious reason to visit (Aussie wine), the scenery is juicy green and stunning. Beautiful gardens border the vineyards and an archway of vines guide your entrance to the tasting bar. Most grapes are sourced from Stanthorpe a few hours south, while a small percentage are also grown onsite. The winery showcases a number of wines scoring over 90 points and has been given 4 1/2 stars (out of a possible 5) by Australian wine critic, James Halliday. Out of the 12 or more wines I sampled I would have happily taken home any number of bottles (luggage allowing). Having to choose though, my pick of the whites was the 2011 Coinoculated Verdelho fermented with two strains of yeast producing a light easy drinking wine perfect for an afternoon barbie or happily quaffed unaccompanied. Of the reds I relished the 2008 Granite Belt Prophecy Syrah, scoring 94 points with a bright peppery finish. And... no wine tasting would be complete without some dessert and fortified wines thrown in the mix. My all time favourite dessert wine for years has been the Noble One Botrytis Semillon. Witches Falls, however has added another to my list - their 2008 Granite Belt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Botrytis - with its syrupy stone fruit nose, viscous palate and apricot, honey and marmalade undertones - we have a new winner. Lastly the Granite Belt Classic Tawny was fitting for the season completely filling the mouth with a lush Christmas cake sweetness and a long smooth finish. They say it gets better with age, but with my enthusiasm for wine I guess that is something I will never know ;-) 

Witches Falls Winery
79 Main Western Road
North Tamborine
Queensland, 4272
Australia
+ 61 07 5545 2609
www.witchesfalls.com.au

Aussie Pubs for Hearty Food, Australia

 Eagle Heights pub, family and dog friendly. :-)

Spectacular views included.

Benowa Tavern - also bringing nature into the dining room.

As mentioned in previous posts, Australia is not the cheapest place to eat out. Aussie pubs though often offer big meals at not so big prices. If you're willing to go with the daily specials you could easily get a hearty budget meal everyday of the week. For example, on the days we dined the two hotels pictured above had $10 deals - one for steak and dessert and the other for roast pork and veges. Pubs are generally family friendly, with indoor and outdoor eating sections. Kids are taken care of with simple child pleasers such as the burger and chips or spaghetti shown above. Often included for the little ones are juice, an ice cream and even an activities bag with colouring pages and games. Many pubs are in prime locations with attractive views such as Eagle Heights (first photos) overlooking the Gold Coast, and the Benowa Tavern (last photos) with fresh river breezes and a water vista. Every suburb has their own watering hole. The best way to decide on which one to head to is to ask a local.

Eagle Heights Hotel

1683 Tamborine Oxenford Rd

Eagle Heights

QLD 4271

Australia

+ 61 07 5545 3388

www.eagleheightshotel.com.au

Benowa Tavern

117 Ashmore Rd

Benoa

QLD 4217

Australia

+61 07 5557 9090

wwwbenowatavern.com.au

Nonna's, Harbour Town, Gold Coast, Australia

Nonna's at Harbour Town (outlet mall) on the Gold Coast offers uncomplicated fare for refuelling for an industrious day of shopping. The indoor/ outdoor setting with large fans and potted plants is ideal for recharging and taking a break to plan your afternoon's acquisition strategy. This Italian, Steak and Seafood restaurant serves generous portions so do consider sharing. Meals are well cooked and hearty and there are enough options for everyone to be happy (actually it might take you a while to sort through the four! menus - one for Italian, one for steak, one for seafood and one for drinks and desserts). Service was fast and friendly on the day we dined and all six of us were satisfied with what we ordered - pastas, pizza, toasties and a salad.

Nonna's

Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood

Shops B10, 11, 12 Harbour Town

Gold Coast, Australia

+61 07 5529 2000

nonnarestaurants.com.au