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

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

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

Bistro 42, Bangsar Village II, Malaysia

This is a very quick post on Bistro 42 as I'm yet to eat an entire meal here, just desserts. As with the rest of the Big Group restaurants the setting is well designed and a delight to wile away a few hours. This post though is principally about the passionfruit cheesecake (white rounds in the middle of the above pic). They are just heavenly. I can't imagine a better combination of flavours and texture - smooth, perfectly blended cream cheese with sweet but slightly tangy passionfruit. Yum!

Bistro 42
1F28 First Floor
Bangsar Village 2
Jalan Telawi 1
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 03 2287 6566

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

Anyone for Coffee, Mt. Tamborine, Gold Coast, Australia

A year after our last visit, we checked back in to Anyone for Coffee and found more of what we liked originally (regionally grown organic coffee made well) and a few new features too. Menu expansion includes some light meals as well as weekend BBQs on the deck. Hubby loved the fluffy white pancakes and the Mars Bar latte - caramel, chocolate, coffee - just like the bar :-) This spot still seems to be the pick of locals for coffee with a steady stream of both fellow shop owners, residents and tourists getting their daily caffeine fix. If you have time you can join Barry and Nerida for a barista course too - whether you're thinking of making coffee professionally or just want to work that machine you have at home with a little more expertise a few hours of instruction might be just what you need. More info on last year's post too. 

Anyone for Coffee

159 Long Road, Gallery Walk,

Mt. Tamborine,

Queensland, 4217

Australia

+61 07 5545 2939

info@anyoneforcoffee.com

www.anyoneforcoffee.com

Black Coffee Lyrics, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia

As usual a trip home to the Gold Coast is filled with the great outdoors, plenty of wine quaffing and fabulous food. On the 'good things to eat' side Black Coffee Lyrics was recommended by a number of locals. A funky cafe, located upstairs in a run down arcade, it seems to be one of the few spots with a bit of intelligent life left in Surfers. They serve strong coffee which was a winning start for me. But their specialty is cold pressed coffee where the grounds are left to steep through a contraption (pictured above) for 24 hours making a wonderfully strong brew. It is refreshing served over ice with a drop of maple syrup but also worth trying with a dash of milk. I think it tastes a little sweeter than a hot brew. They are currently using a blend of beans from around the world that is roasted in Byron Bay but will soon move to a mix that is all local. 

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner some of the menu highlights are: Breakfast Roll with poached egg, basil cream, bacon and cheese served on Turkish bread; Vege Stack with basil cream; Avocado and Chicken Salad with sun dried tomatoes, mixed greens, granny smith apples, red onion, feta, pumpkin and a sesame dressing; Beef Burger with mushrooms, pumpkin, cheese, greens and relish (try anything with relish - it's something special); Frutti di Mare Pizza topped with calamari and octopus with lemon, garlic and basil; Shawster's Own Pizza with olives, semi dried tomatoes, mushrooms, bocconcini & chilly RELISH. There are plenty of vegetarian options and a new tapas menu that looks worth trying too. 

Black Coffee Lyrics just got their liquor license and will soon feature local and national wines plus their very own beer on tap. With a hip atmosphere, affable (and handsome ;-) service, and gratifying grub I'll be sure to revisit on the next trip home.

Black Coffee Lyrics

Shop 40 3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd

Gold Coast, Queensland, 4217

Australia

+ 61 0402 189 437

blackcoffeelyrics@gmail.com