Where to get your foodie fix on the Gold Coast

When thinking of a holiday on the Gold Coast the first thing that comes to mind is beach, surfing, and parties.

If you’re a foodie it might not be the holiday destination of your choosing.

But there is one place where you can enjoy some pretty amazing cuisines from around the world all under one roof. With 11 different food and drink offerings, all in a recently refurbished hotel, The Star Gold Coast is a foodie’s heaven.

And trust us when we say, it’s definitely worth a trip.

Kiyomi, Japanese

Cutting-edge Japanese restaurant Kiyomi, recently retained its Chef’s Hat for the fourth consecutive year at the Good Food Guide Awards. The menu has been created by Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima to give diners a modern, yet authentic taste of Tokyo.

The restaurant itself is in a comfortable setting, mood lighting and cool artwork set the tone for a high end dining experience. The wait staff were exceptional and super happy to help out with suggestions – especially as someone who hasn’t had much Japanese food before.

There is so much on the menu, from sashimi, to wagyu, seafood, and amazing cocktails, that recommendations definitely come in handy.

“Kiyomi’s menu is a celebration of ‘umami’ flavours, through unique, yet simple combinations that
bring the natural produce to life,” Chef Chase said at the Good Food Guide Awards.

What we tried: Pork Robata, wasabi apple sauce – Fried chicken, wasabi labna, pickle, mustard – Morton Bay bug, grapefruit salad, sambal aioli – Jack’s Creek wagyu 6+ tenderloin, sunchoke, foie gras butter, nashi teryaki, nori – wagyu roll, yakiniku sauce – Yasai roll, homemade pickles, asparagus, shiso, avocado, white kimchi

Standout dish: Jack’s Creek wagyu 6+ tenderloin

Cucina Vivo, Italian

Inspired by the cliff-top restaurants of the Amalfi Coast, Cucina Vivo serves up authentic Italian favourites and inspired new classics. We were lucky enough to get to enjoy a four course Italian long lunch, which showcased the variety of dishes available.

This place is definitely more than just pizza and pasta.

The restaurant itself has a gorgeous terrace that looks out over the pool area, it was very cheerful and relaxed. The menu features seafood, a great selection of antipasto and salads, as well as pasta and authentic Woodfire pizza, the oven itself makes for an impressive centrepiece for the restaurant.

What we tried: Antipasti (salami, prosciutto, mortadella, marinated vegetables) – Panzanella salad with fresh basil and olives, mozzarella Arugula and pear salad – Spaghetti marinara – Veal involtini (Torello veal, asparagus, scamorza, wrapped in prosciutto) – Pumpkin ravioli (burnt butter, roasted pumpkin, sage and toasted pine nuts) – Braised pork fillet, fennel and lemon, pancetta and Barbera jus

Standout dish: Pumpkin ravioli

Imperial, Chinese

Internationally trained Executive Chef of Asian Cuisine – Chef Song Yao Su developed the menu for Imperial drawing from his decades of experience overseas and his flair for combining traditional Mandarin and Cantonese ingredients.

The one thing we would point out about this restaurant is the menu is massive! So make sure you are hungry before arriving because there is so much you’ll want to try.

There are plenty of inspired interpretations of Asian classics, as well as some unique dishes to get your mouth watering. When the Peking Duck was ready, wait staff wheeled out the whole duck on a table and sliced the bird in front of you. They then handmade each pancake for you before setting them on the table. They actually did this with all meals that ‘required’ some form of dishing out. It was great service.

What we tried: Vegetable spring rolls – Xiaolongbao beef dumplings – pan-fried pork buns – BBQ spare ribs – vegetable fried rice – sweet and spicy chicken – Peking duck pancakes

Standout dish: Sweet and spicy chicken and of course the Peking duck pancakes

Yahoo Lifestyle was a guest of The Star Gold Coast in October.

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