New Gold Coast hotspot doesn’t disappoint
A new poolside Gold Coast restaurant on a marina serves up food as dazzling as its outlook.
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Ever wanted to know what it would feel like to be absurdly wealthy?
Then visit Mare Restaurant by La Luna Beach Club on the Gold Coast. The uber-cool waterfront precinct, complete with two pools divided by a catwalk, sun lounges, palm trees and a vibe that sits somewhere between Emirati affluent and Gold Coast new money, resides on pontoon level at the marina in Main Beach, and has become the ultimate hangout for the rich and famous since its launch at the end of last year.
Guests can book a spot by the pool ready to snack on everything from Moreton Bay bug rolls to sashimi and seafood platters or Beluga caviar on a crostini, accompanied by top French Champagne and cocktails; or in the covered outdoor restaurant proper, adjacent, where there’s no worry of spilling taramasalata on your bikini. While Mare could certainly get away with not trying too hard based on its flashy location, it is far from resting on its laurels.
Successful Gold Coast restaurateur and owner Patrik Gennari (The Loose Moose, Koi Dining, Glass Dining) is behind this venture and Mare’s sister venue La Luna Dining next door in the Marina Mirage centre, and he is determined to ensure this oceanfront playground lives up to the hype. In the kitchen at Mare, as well as overseeing all the Gennari Group venues, is executive chef Meyjitte Boughenout.
The veteran of the Gold Coast hospitality scene once achieved two Michelin stars while working in Belgium, before moving to Australia to open Q1 fine diner Absynthe in the 2000s, followed by roles in various high-end establishments including Songbirds in the Forest in Mt Tamborine.
His work at the Mediterranean-leaning Mare may, however, be some of his best, with the chef taking a pared-back approach and letting the top-notch seafood and produce speak for itself.
Prime example is the Fremantle octopus ($34) from the small plates section of the broad, all-encompassing menu. Here the tentacles arrive slow-cooked until deeply tender before a quick flash on the grill to add char and flavour, and a dressing of olive oil, lemon and oregano. Simple. Splendid.
The kingfish ceviche ($26) shows equal restraint combined with refined technique – the curls of finely sliced fish dressed with coconut milk, a grapefruit gel and ribbons of pickled onion for a citrusy smack.
What’s guaranteed to be the ultimate crowd pleaser, however, is the lobster and scallop ravioli ($36). Every bit as good as it sounds, the trio of sweet seafood dumplings floats like the swimmers in the nearby pool in a sea of bowl-scraping, ooh and ahhing abalone bisque spiced up with just the subtlest hint of chilli oil.
The broth is so good one of the charming waitstaff comes over to ensure we enjoy it as much as she does, claiming she’s “obsessed”. And lucky for us, the bisque is also drizzled over the mashed potato side ($17) that we order with the lamb rack ($56). It’s hard to determine what’s better, the dreamy, silky, French-style mash or the perfectly pink lamb, which arrives pre-cut into medallions for ease of eating, its fat extra sweet from caramelising in honey. There’s a spicy tomato tapenade on the side, but the lamb is so good it’s best eaten on its own – or with just that extravagant mash.
The staff are excellent here too – friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and with that relaxed Gold Coast persona where you feel taken care of but not smothered. They are happy to make recommendations from the list that keeps to mainly traditional styles of wine covering all price points; leaving creativity to the signature cocktails. Mare, like the luxury boats around it, is not cheap. That lamb rack, is just the lamb and tapenade; the ceviche has only four pieces of kingfish. But if you take into account the quality of the produce, the level of service and waterfront setting, this is a glamorous experience that delivers value in spades.
Mare by La Luna Beach Club
Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
5620 0223
Must eat
Lobster and scallop ravioli
Verdict – Scores out of 5
Food 4.5
Service 4
Ambience 4.5
Value 4
Overall 4.5
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