We received a press release this week to let us know that the Miami Organic farmers market is going to be celebrating it’s 3rd birthday this Sunday the 4th November.

The Perch Creek Family Jug Band will be performing in the morning along with a belly dancing troup. There will also be a children’s string ensemble and kids face painting.

These markets were started in October 2004 as a way to service the Gold Coast with organic produce.

The organisers state that the organic Gold Coast farmers market is the only market in

Queensland where the produce and growers are policed to ensure the integrity of the produce and where the customers are assured that they are getting genuine Certified Organically grown produce every time they shop.

Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
Miami State High School
Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Every Sunday 6am - 11:30am

Technorati Tags: farmers markets, markets, miami, organic, fruit, vegetables

Champagne Brasserie is without question my absolute favourite restaurant on the Gold Coast. This restaurant serves up traditional French food.

Four of us booked to came here for dinner on a Saturday night a couple of weeks ago. If you have never been here before you may be a little disappointed when you first arrive as it’s beneath the Hi-Ho motel which looks a little run down from the outside. The restaurant and motel are located at the beach end of Broadbeach a couple of hundred metres away from all the other restaurants. This is a plus though because it’s at the quieter end.

The restaurant has seating both inside and outside but we booked for a table inside as it’s a little more cosy. To start with our waitress brought out some complimentary bread and appertisers which you can see below. She was very knowledgeable on all the dishes and wines and I have to say it was such a pleasure to dine at a restaurant on the Gold Coast where the staff are professionally trained.

Champagne is the type of restaurant where you book a table and it’s yours for the night. We never felt rushed, the lighting was dimmed for intimacy - if you’re after a romantic night out and the service was flawless.

Below I’ve labeled what the meals were but I have taken the prices off their website. I noticed that the site lists a slightly different menu than what we had two weeks ago so I’m not sure if the menu and prices are correct.

Champagne Brasserie - French

2 Queensland Ave
Broadbeach, 4218

Phone: 07 5538 3877

Little complimentary pastry appertisers - they were like mini quiche’s and we were also served some bread to start with.

French onion soup with Gruyere cheese served in a rustic style bowl - this tasted so divine $12.50

The steamed mussels entree

Entree caremelised onion and olive tart with goats cheese, pear and rocket salad $14.50

Entree fresh spanner crab crepe with white wine & chive sauce $16.50

Roasted chicken

Grain fed beef fillet - three of us ordered the same and it came with a basket of fries $32.50

Bakes rhubarb and apple crumble with mini creme caramel. The creme caramel was the only disappointing thing the whole night as it was slightly bitter. $11.50

Crepe Suzette $11.50

The apple tart with ice cream $11.50

Technorati Tags: champagne, brasserie, restaurant, review, broadbeach, gold coast, french

We came to Trio Romano last weekend with a couple of friends as they have repeatedly raved about this small Italian restaurant. They used to live in the area but now they drive for about half an hour to dine here regularly.

It’s located on the Gold Coast highway just near the Markeri street exit. We were worried that we wouldn’t find a park but we managed to nab one right out the front. The restaurant is small and it looks a little dated but it had a homey, cosy feel about it.

The food tasted very home made and although I can’t remember the prices exactly I know that they weren’t expensive. It’s BYO too so again that will help keep costs down.

Because the dining room is small you should book if you’re hoping to go on a Friday or Saturday night. They have a couple of tables outside but it would be pretty noisy because of the passing traffic.

If you live in the area this should definately become one of your local fave’s but I would still highly recommend it to anyone wanting a tasty, casual dinner.

Trio Romano - Italian

2392 Gold Coast Highway
Mermaid Beach, 4218
Phone: 07 5572 2928

Garlic Pizza Bread

The beef cannelloni

Pizza - from memory I think it was surpreme?

Tortellini with bacon, tomato and chilli sauce. It had a great chilli kick. As you can see the main serving sizes are very generous!

The Lasagne

Technorati Tags: trio romano, italian, restaurant, review, mermaid waters, gold coast

This week Gold Coast Food Guide was featured in all of the Sun newspapers across the Gold Coast!

The $100 dinner for 2 promotion was featured. This competition is being drawn on Monday the 15th October and for every review that is posted, you will receive 1 entry into the draw!

All you need to do is register or login, post a review and hope you win. Below is the article about the comp.

Technorati Tags: gold coast food guide, sun newspaper, competition, newspaper article, food, dining, gold coast

Benny’s Inn is the typical suburban Chinese restaurant. Located in the Boonooroo Park shopping complex, this small restaurant is a little drab and run down looking but they serve up tasty affordable Chinese food.

The shopping centre is located near the highway, rail line and Nerang so the customers often have mullet haircuts and wear flannelette shirts. When we went this week there were young kids hanging out the front of the fish and chip shop next door swearing and smoking and tradies were burning around the carpark.

We normally get take away from here but as an excuse to get out of the house we decided to dine in. The decor is run down but the staff are always friendly and the decor is what you’d expect from a small neighbourhood Chinese.

We ordered soups for starters - short and long soup $3.20 and Tom Yam chicken soup $4.50 which was spicy the way it should be. The short and long soup was tasty but the noodles tasted and looked like the cheap variety.

For main we shared red lamb curry $14 with an order of mixed vegetables $8. Both were very nice and were decent serving sizes. We couldn’t finish them off.

As I mentioned, the location is a bit rough but the staff are always friendly and hard working. If you live locally it’s a good take away restaurant.

Location:
Shop 4 Boonooroo Park Shopping Centre
Nielsens Road, Carrara

Phone: 07 5579 9969

Benny’s Inn Chinese Restaurant

The short and long soup

Tom Yam Chicken Soup

Lamb red curry and mixed vegetables

Inside the restaurant

Technorati Tags: chinese, restaurant, review, carrara, gold coast