Food for the soul

BEING Malaysian, food is almost always on our mind.
During a recent trip to the Gold Coast organised by AirAsia X and Tourism and Events Queensland, we were ­fortunately spoiled for choice when it came to dining out.
The area where we stayed, Broadbeach, is renowned for its food and beverage outlets, which include some hipster-friendly gastropubs and bakeries.
Our first night in the city was spent tucking into dishes at the Hideaway Kitchen and Bar.
The restaurant featured ­modern interpretations of popular Asian street foods, including what they called 'me' goreng, beef rendang, chilli chicken wings, and chicken and prawn shumai.
The friendly waiter helped us select the most popular dishes from the menu, and we soon had ourselves a feast.
Our food adventure ­continued at breakfast the next day, when we headed to Bam Bam ­Bakehouse, a cafe and ­bakery ­located in the neighbouring ­suburb of Mermaid Beach, ­minutes away from Broadbeach. Aside from a range of picture-perfect, freshly-made pastries on display, diners could choose from Bam Bam's extensive menu.
There were 'all-day breakfast' items like the signature Bam Bam Benny (two poached eggs, ham, and a croissant), or two-egg nasi (their own version of nasi lemak), and scrumptious sandwiches with croissant buns.
Mermaid Beach is also home to the highly recommended Etsu Izakaya, a modern ­Japanese ­restaurant.
The restaurant had no ­obvious signage outside, and upon ­entering, we were struck by the fact that it was packed with ­diners, proving just how popular it was. And we soon found out why.
We ordered a range of fresh sashimi (salmon, tuna, kingfish, scallops and more), several rounds of sushi, and some beef and chicken from the robata (charcoal) grill.
Everything was so well-­prepared and delicious, that each time we thought we had stuffed ourselves, along came another dish that we just had to try.
Another place that we were recommended was the ­busy ­Coolangatta Surf Club.
The club has a restaurant on the upper floor, which serves some of the freshest seafood available, as well as a variety of other dishes.
Back in Broadbeach, there was one place that soon became our favourite – the Pacific Fair ­shopping centre, which featured one of the most exciting dessert bars we had ever seen.
The Cowch Dessert and Cocktail Bar is every sweet-tooth's dream. We were given a choice of several unique ice cream flavours – including salted caramel, bubblegum, condensed milk, and Nutella – and allowed to add a variety of toppings, or have it served on pancakes, waffles, or even pizza.
Cowch is a hang-out for people at all hours of the day, as seen by its breakfast menu, and with several delicious milkshakes, smoothies and juices to wash ­everything down.
We enjoyed it so much we had to pay it a second visit during our time in the Gold Coast.
Another place where I wish we could have spent more time is Mount Tamborine, located in the Queensland hinterlands an hour away from the city.
We made our way up there with Southern Cross 4WD tours, one of several tour companies taking that route.
After enjoying a brief tour through the rainforest at ­Tamborine National Park, we had lunch at the family-run Green Lane Coffee Plantation, a small, boutique plantation where coffee beans are grown, harvested, and roasted on-site.
While the bulk of the coffee is sold on the plantation itself, Green Lane also supplies its ­organic ­coffee to several cafes down in the Gold Coast.
The plantation also has a cafe attached, where diners can ­purchase their own ground beans, or relax and enjoy a freshly-brewed cuppa, along with some choice dishes.
I decided to try out some ­coffee together with a waffle, and what came out of the kitchen was one of the most beautifully ­decorated desserts I had seen in a long while, which tasted just as good as it looked.
We also had a chance to stop by a small storefront for Heritage Estate Wines, along the busy high street on the mountain where most of the cafes and shops are located.
Heritage Estate is one of the most well-regarded boutique wineries on Mount Tamborine, with an extensive vineyard and a restaurant. At the well-stocked shop, we were able to try some of the latest vintages, and even make a few purchases to take.
While the Gold Coast offers people plenty of ­opportunities to indulge themselves with ­experiences, whether it's at the beach, the city, or even the ­mountains, what I shall ­remember the most is its array of ­gastronomic delights.
And that is well worth a trip down under.
AirAsia X flies to the Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur 11 times weekly.