The new Gold Coast laneway bar delivering cracking food and drink

It’s quality over quantity for this Gold Coast laneway bar that sports just eight cocktails on the menu — and the food gives the drinks a run for their money.

I FIRST encountered Tom Angel when he was head bartender at The Star Gold Coast’s acclaimed Japanese restaurant Kiyomi.

He made me a cocktail using the Japanese citrus yuzu that was sour leaning — but not face-scrunchingly so — clean and, most importantly, balanced.

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It was a bloody terrific drink, so much so I still remember it more than three years on, despite making my way through possibly enough cocktails to fill an Olympic swimming pool.

Angel left Kiyomi to work at the likes of the now-defunct Old Tom’s in Broadbeach and Mexican joint La Casita in Brunswick Heads, where he made a stellar chilli margarita.

Now he’s gone out on his own with wife Sam and hospitality industry friends Bella and Euan Lovell, bringing cracking cocktails to new laneway bar and eatery, Fig + Frankie’s in Broadbeach.

The tiny hole-in-the-wall venture has a slightly feminine, mildly Mexican vibe with muted peach walls, a cactus-lined booth and an exposed brick-fronted bar.

Inside seats just nine with the majority of seating at solid timber tables in the paved alleyway.

The feeling is laid-back, casual but slightly elegant, where you’d happily fit in wearing boardies and thongs, but could equally get a little dressed up if you wanted.

New laneway bar Fig + Frankie's at Broadbeach. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Angel’s cocktail menu is, of course, the major drawcard, boasting just eight mixes that are named by number.

There’s a leaning towards native ingredients as well as Japanese inspiration, with all modern and interesting. They’re also inebriating.

The Number One shakes Brookie’s Mac macadamia and wattleseed liqueur with clarified green apple and house-made lemonade creating a sweet-sour, crisp drink that has my friend in raptures.

Too many of the Number Sevens, though, and you may forget your name and where you live, with the potent fruity blend mixing Chalong Bay rum with a strawberry and mirin shrub and acidified young coconut.

There’s also a handful of natural wines and five local beers available.

While drinks are designed as the star, giving them a serious run for their money is the food.

The small bar snack menu runs from heirloom tomatoes with whipped buffalo ricotta to truffled honey haloumi – all using top-notch ingredients.

The lemony hummus at Fig + Frankie’s. Picture: Mark Cranitch

A zesty hummus ($14) is bright with lemon juice and given a smoky heat by the addition of paprika oil.

It’s great with the accompanying baked pita, but also lovely as a dip for the ribbons of crisp-style sweet potato chips ($9).

Even better are the Frankie’s Corn Dogs ($14). Small knobs of juicy, punchy chorizo are coated in a thin batter of crunchy, fine, golden polenta making for a terrific little bite along with one of their house pickles.

The only thing that would make the dish better is if the sweet puree below was warm, not cold.

But the hands down winner is the corn fritters ($13). Cafes across the state would do well to take note of the recipe with the fried dumplings light, textural and simply delicious, especially with a dollop of the brilliantly tangy creme fraiche pairing.

Figs on toast at Fig + Frankie’s. Picture: Mark Cranitch

The figs on toast ($15) dish is almost like a dessert, thanks to sweet and syrupy fig paste dotted on to rye bread spread with creamy whipped ricotta and lashed with truffled honey.

With benevolent service, customers would be well looked after if they came just for a drink, but do yourself a favour and stay for the food.

FIG + FRANKIE’S

Address: 2707 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

Phone: [phone]

Web: figandfrankies.com

Open: Thurs-Mon 4pm-midnight