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5 reasons to visit QT Gold Coast

January 22, 2017 By EatWellTravelOften Leave a Comment

The team at QT Gold Coast have served me some fabulous foodie experiences during the last year that are simply too good not to share… so here are my top 5 reasons to visit QT now:

  1. Cocktails at Stingray Bar

A funky retro vibe welcomes you at Stingray Bar. Not too big, not too small, this groovy bar is cosy and spacious all at the same time. Originally a California-style tequila bar it’s now morphing into a high-end cocktail bar. Tequila still reigns supreme with an impressive selection of 40 different labels behind the bar – Herradura (the most popular) is served with orange and cinnamon rather than the usual lemon and salt. Whiskey and rum also make themselves at home on the top shelf, and specialty house cocktails or Seasonal Libations offer something for every palate. Day of the Dead comes with a chilli kick and a black volcanic salt rim, Coolcumber is a refreshing blend of gin, lime, cucumber and basil, and the Skinny Pash is a sweet, fruity number that’s popular with the ladies. Sit back, relax, and get your groove on. Austin Powers approved, yeah baby!

  1. Rooftop garden

Yes, there’s a garden on the roof! Two years in the making the QT garden is well established, providing seasonal produce straight from the rooftop to your table. Alongside more traditional plants (like strawberries, lemons and tomatoes) the garden is home to some exotic species; like Cuca melons which are the size of grapes but taste like cucumber, and an ice cream bean tree with beans that taste like vanilla. During a tour with Executive Chef Greg Benny I’m told his apprentice chefs are trained when to harvest the different plants, and how to use them… oregano is picked and goes straight onto your pizza, and that mint in your Mojito? Straight from the roof.

  1. Bazaar

Overindulgence is all but guaranteed at QT’s market-style restaurant Bazaar. Let your tastebuds lead you through this magical larder, a land where MSA grade meat is hung for weeks to intensify the flavour, and whole beasts – lamb, pig and goat – are carvery heroes. Your personal chef will make you a pizza in the wood-fired oven, and slice glazed Mount Nathan ham from the bone. Chickens are brined, cooked in clay and cracked open for guests. Seafood arrives daily, bread comes fresh from the bakehouse and the salad bar is pimped by the rooftop garden. Be sure to leave room for a visit to the enchanting dessert bar – toasted marshmallow smores, ‘dropped’ ice cream, and berry foam are sweet treats that would make Willy Wonka proud.  

  1. Man Tea experience

High tea for blokes. Yes, it’s a thing. Think beer, burger and fries with a twist. And swap the cup of tea for a Stone and Wood, a Pacific Ale or a bourbon on the rocks. This paddle of hearty and very tasty ‘man food’ will satisfy both guys and gals. And as with all things QT, there’s some fun at the end when a smoke-filled glass dome is lifted to reveal a cigar on your plate. Made of chocolate. And filled with bourbon semi freddo. Sit back, enjoy, and make like Al Bundy.

  1. Quirky High Tea fun

You can tell the chefs have had fun creating this high tea for two, playfully mixing up sweet and savoury elements – messing with your mind, like Alice down the rabbit hole. Tomato and basil macarons and pepper doughnuts are presented on the savoury stand, and a sponge and jam ‘ham sandwich’ is offered on the sweet stand. High tea includes two rounds of tea or coffee, or for $15 you can get a glass of champagne. I love high tea and this one is a little unique.

QT Gold Coast offer boutique hotel accommodation, with a restaurant and bar scene among the best in Surfers Paradise, be sure to drop by for a cocktail and a fun foodie adventure… 

The dessert bar at Bazaar is just heavenly
Be sure to book because Bazaar Restaurant is really popular
Lots of lovely fresh seafood at Bazaar
Enjoying high tea
This is not a ham sandwich, it’s sponge and jam!
Quirky fun at high tea with scone ice creams
Tomato and basil macarons, so delicious
A feast for the blokes at Man Tea
More tasty treats at the high tea for blokes
Chocolate cigar is the highlight of the Man Tea
The rooftop garden has lots of unique plants growing
Work your way through the cocktail list at Stingray Bar
A funky bar with a great vibe

If you want more quirky travel and foodie inspiration, sign up for my musings. I post heaps of photos on Instagram, and I’d love you to join me in my Facebook lounge for chat about all things travel and food. Eat Well Travel Often!

Filed Under: All, Feature Post, Foodie Adventures Tagged With: Bazaar, Bazaar Restaurant, cafe, cafe review, cocktails, Gold Coast, gold coast dining, Gold Coast restaurant, high tea, Man Tea, QT Gold Coast, QT Hotel, QT hotels, rooftop garden, Stingray Bar

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Are you a food tourist? Then you’re in the right place…welcome to my blog

I'm Shannon, a not-so-flightless Kiwi, living in Australia. I'm busy makin memories... and doing my bit for regional food tourism. Last year I converted a Toyota Estima for a taste of vanlife (I call her Geisha). I share my adventures and the special moments I capture with my camera. And I host most excellent gatherings for fabulous ladies who like to wine and dine. Make yourself comfortable and have a read... Eat Well Travel Often my friend Read more

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What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetour What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetours than high tea like no other!
Another superlative #hightea experience from the fabulous team @palette.hota. A subtle infusion of native Australian flavours and traditional high tea treats... like this marshmallow and Davidson plum scroll... beetroot and olive sorbet, matcha panna cotta in chocolate and the best scones ever. The Gold Coast food scene thanks you for your tireless commitment over the years Karen. Best of luck up in Brisbane m'dear ❤ #goldcoastfood #paletterestaurant
Fishin' by the creek Fishin' by the creek
The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin
I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of sourdough’ at a masterclass in Currumbin.

Italian baker and pizza master @chef_roberto_giammellucca runs workshops after hours at @aperitivo.cafe.

This particular workshop was extra special as Roberto was celebrating his 100th student at The Sourdough Science Academy. 

A class of 12 people gathered around a big square table. We learned how to make and look after #sourdough starter, and Roberto shared his personal sourdough recipe and #bakingtips.

Aprons on, we all enjoyed getting our hands into the flour. There’s something so calming and earthy about kneading dough. And the smell when you pull your fresh baked loaf out of the oven is so divine.

There’s simply nothing better than a slice of sourdough warm from the oven, slathered with butter.

If you want to learn the nitty gritty of sourdough making, give one of Roberto’s workshops a try. He also runs sough dough pizza-making classes. Check out @the_sourdough_science

Shoutout to chef Roberto and @goldcoastfoodandwines for inviting me to get my hands in the dough!

#sourdoughworkshop #bakeyourownsourdough #sourdough
I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 very chilled-out days there on my big road trip.

Charming villages and towns, stunning coastline and more than 200 wineries - this is a place you MUST visit.

When I was there, I discovered the Cape to Cape Track… a 123km walk along the coast between Cape Naturaliste lighthouse in the north and Cape Leeuwin lighthouse to the south.

I met an American girl while I was there, and she decided to hike Cape to Cape. She put in some big miles to finish it in around 4 days. She showed me some of her photos, the scenery looked amazing and I imagined myself hiking along the trail someday...

Guess what. It’s happening!

I’ve booked an 8-day guided tour with @capetocapeexplorertours. The walk is fully supported, so at the end of each day we get picked up and taken back to our accommodation for a hot shower. Only a day pack is needed while hiking.

We’ll be walking between 14-20 km each day, which sounds like a lot to me right now, but great motivation to get fitter. (If the walking gets too much there are shorter hike options each day, or you can take a ‘day off’.)

The tour includes wineries and local restaurants (of course). We will learn about the history of the area and the unique flora and fauna… it will be wildflower season!!

I have visions of walking with an amazing bunch of women, making new friends and drinking lots of red wine. Are you with me?

There are different accommodation options available, I’ve booked the glamping option in a bell tent.

Dates: 1-8 October (Queensland’s long weekend).

To reserve your place you need to pay a $600 deposit, the rest is due a month before the hike.

Places are filling up fast so don’t leave it too long to book ladies! Tours are a maximum of 15 people. If you book, please mention you are with ‘Shannon’s group’.

Margaret River is about 3 hours drive south of Perth. The tour includes Perth pickup and drop off.

➡️ Link to tour in profile!

Excited!
Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... especially these super healthy ones from @seedsoflifeaustralia
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