The posh wine & dine guide in Gold Coast

This is a media trip made possible by Scoot and Tourism Queensland.

A ticket to the USA starts from at least $2000. What if you can sample a taste of Miami with airfares starting at $300?

Flyscoot.com has started their flights to Gold Coast since June 12 from Singapore. I was on her inaugural flight with live inflight entertainment, The Noose.

Gold Coast, touted to be the Miami closer to Asia, is all glitz and glamour.

They have underground cultures like the Meter Mates.

The meter mates are usually bikini cladded babes who trawl the streets of Gold Coast topping up quarters for parked cars which are about to expire. They are supported by local businesses to put in quarters for drivers when the State declared parking to be charged. It's such a community driven initiative!

But other than the leggy tanned girls, Gold Coast offers some of the freshest foods, finest dining with stunning views (not leggy tanned girls).

Bazaar at QT Hotel
beats any buffet in Singapore hands down, well almost (I like Straits Cafe).

An interactive markeplace, Bazaar offers an enticing international mosaic of foods. I returned to the seafood section thrice, eating oysters like there's no tomorrow or like there's a hunk waiting for me in bed. I normally wouldn't touch an oyster, but when it's so fresh like Bazaar's, once i pop i can't stop.

The crabs are even caught by QT's own trawler!

Wood fired pizzas, classic pot roasts, premium meats and refreshing organic salads, it's an ABSOLUTE steal at only AUD 69 for adults and AUD 21 for children under 12. The value hunter Singaporean in me will DEFINITELY return if i visit Gold Coast again.

I particularly like how at one corner, they displayed their meats for diners to see which includes a whole piglet (dead of course). Remaining true to QT's tastefully kitschy hotel design, it was definitely a shocker but fun to spot! Reservations recommended.

7 STAGHORN AVENUE

SURFERS PARADISE QLD 4127

☎ ph:07 5584 1200

Lauxes Champagne Dining Lounge
Spelt backwards is Sexual and was done on purpose. Lauxes specializes in champagne so it is ideal for a pre-dinner drink.

Sleek, chic and luxe is the theme of interior.

A multi-talented musician who plays the piano, saxophone and sings provides entertainment while you sip like a rich man.

Song request coasters.

Starting from 19 AUD for a champagne cocktail, the champagne prices are very reasonable to be chi chi.

A cheeky find in the bathroom. It's a nice sight if you pee standing.

2685 Gold Coast Highway

Broadbeach QLD 4218

☎ ph:07 5531 5555

Moo Moo The Wine Bar & Grill

is a stone's throw away from Lauxes. If you dine here, you have to order a steak because that's what Moo Moo won awards for. You can also tell from its name right?

Since opening its doors in 2005, Moo Moo has won Queensland's Best Steak 2008, then Gold Coast's Best Steak Restaurant 2006,07,08 and 09.

With an interior decor of natural stone finishes, sleek curves and state of art lighting system, while it isn't good for food photography, it is good for putting the sexy back into steak.

The selection includes grass or grain fed beef, otherwise organic. I had the grain fed wagyu beef for AUD 55. Sides all come at an additional of AUD 8.

While the wagyu did not melt in my mouth like in some Japanese restaurants, it was tender and juicy enough to be a good piece of meat.

The desserts however is to-die-for while the service of Moo Moo is first class.

If you only have space for one, go for the brownie (AUD 12). It comes out freshly baked, with the center gooey and moist, like lava cake! Topped with a scoop of vanilla, the best brownie i had in my entire life!

Reservations are also recommended as it is packed when i got there at 8pm on a weekday night.

2685 GOLD COAST HIGHWAY

BROADBEACH QLD 4218

☎ ph:07 5539 9952

Seaduction
While Moo Moo unique selling point is in a good piece of meat without bells and whistles, Seaduction gives premium ingredients that excites 3/5 senses. Taste, smell and sight.

Tuna steak at AUD 36

Scallops with black pudding at AUD 16

The scallops were succulent, and even though black pudding is cow's blood, i licked up every drop. It was grilled at the right amount of time, making it a little crispy.

Lemon tart at AUD 14

Located right at the coast, every table provides uninterrupted ocean views.

8 The Esplanade

surfers paradise

Sky Point
Like almost every city that now has a tall building to be proud of, Gold Coast doesn't lose. Sip a cocktail 230 meters in the sky.

However, there is an admission charge of AUD 21. Drinks not included. You may also do a Sky Point climb. See http://www.skypoint.com.au

Osteria Vivo
Jupiters Hotel & Casino offers a SUPER good dinner and show packages. It's only AUD 89 for both! Considering how divine the Italian food is and how entertaining MUS.I.C is. A MUST-DO!


You don't even have to go Las Vegas with Scoot's low fares.

If you can't decide what to pick, you won't regret the risottos.

I highly recommend the asparagus risotto (AUD 24).

Herb roasted scallop risotto (AUD 28)

Quite a show for it to come out as an overflowing cup, then voila.

The grilled pear, Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham salad (AUD 19) will make any person who won't eat greens wallop this.

The capellini comes with generous serving of herb garlic prawns. The choice of pasta is angel hair which makes my stomach fit more in!

Don't forget to try the authentic Italian carbonara as well. Not drenched in a creamy sauce, the Osteria Vivo's carbonara is clear and cooked with pork lard. It's almost Asian! It's my first time trying an authentic Italian carbonara, i'll close one eye with the calories because it's worth it! I won't want to eat another creamy carbonara after this.

While there is all that glitz and glamour, you can also dine in nature!

O'reillys Vineyard requires compulsory reservations.

Lamington national park rd

canugra valley qlsd 4275

☎ ph:07 5543 4011

The Polish Place
on Mount Tamborine is another unique dining experience of its own.

Outfitted like an authentic Polish place with an AMAZING view of the valleys,  The Polish Place is a 20 minute drive from the city and is certainly worth it.

The winter soup with barley, chicken, carrots and potatoes is good enough for a light meal.

A generous portion of salmon, the home made potato mash was yummy and the lemon sauce had a buttery finish.

The highlight of the place are the friendly lorikeets who come say hello.

You don't even need to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Park! If you are afraid of birds, there is indoor seating available.

but to eat outside with stunning views of the plunging valley? Well worth the risk of bird poop. Surprisingly, these lorikeets really don't poop! There isn't ANY bird poop on the table nor floors despite the family of lorikeets.

Mountain cabin lodging outfitted the Polish way are also available, but if you're there for a meal, be sure to also check out the mini museum! Privately owned, it is a space for owners Ania & Phil Sowter's prized collections.

Entirely made of leather.

Gold Coast, famous for fun night and day.

This is a picture caught at dawn, the moon still visible but the sun is rising.