The new Gold Coast oceanfront restaurant you must try

If you’re looking for terrific value dining, with huge portions and a stunning beach view, this newcomer delivers.

Hanks restaurant at Kirra on the Gold Coast. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

Who doesn’t love to eat by the ocean? The sea air somehow makes you hungrier and sipping a salt-rimmed margarita just steps from the sand seems perfectly fitting.

So if that’s on your summer bucket list this year, then the somewhat recently opened Hanks at Kirra, on the southern end of the Gold Coast, has you covered.

The broad-appeal eatery is the work of the Ciani family, behind another Kirra favourite, Siblings – just a frisbee toss away.

The dining room inside at Hanks restaurant in Kirra. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

If Siblings is the loud and boisterous big sister with a lively bar and heaving outdoor area, then Hanks is the quiet and shy, yet over-achieving little brother, with a menu just as large, yet an ambience that feels more subdued and private – despite the wraparound glass windows giving views of the ocean across the road.

The service also brings a level of intimacy, with the team of well-trained and knowledgeable staff working like a family welcoming you into their “home” and ensuring that you’re well taken care of for your entire visit.

Rigatoni alla vodka with stracciatella at Hanks. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

And that begins with ensuring you have a drink in hand.

There is, of course, the aforementioned margarita – of which there are five types to choose from, including a well-balanced mango version; plus myriad other cocktails, running from twists on the negroni to spritzes, tikis and sours, as well as their own signature shake-ups and mocktails.

If a glass of grape juice is more your speed, however, the wine list offers an interesting, food-friendly array from mostly Australia and New Zealand, with a few from Italy and France thrown in for good measure; while beers favour local breweries.

Stracciatella with grilled zucchini and the Tuscan bread at Hanks, Kirra. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

As for the generous menu, there’s something for everyone, from the couples who just want a snack of, say, mortadella and burrata to enjoy with their chablis while watching the sunset, to the exceedingly hungry with pastas, steaks and breads. And you’ll want to be the latter if you plan on finishing all your meals, with the portion sizes abundant.

We’re almost ready to add a belt notch after our entree of Tuscan bread ($13) and grilled zucchini with stracciatella ($19).

The vegetable dish arrives with enough of the creamy Italian cheese to drown in, with not even the fluffy, white disc of bread enough to scoop up all the curds.

The restaurant could easily save itself a few dollars by reducing the portion sizes and diners would still be more than satisfied.

Chargrilled octopus at Hanks, Kirra. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

Also generously proportioned is the chargrilled octopus ($28).

A common dish at many venues these days, this tentacle seems larger than most for the price and is perfectly tender, with just enough love from the flame to enhance the flavour rather than overpower it.

The pork cotoletta at Hanks. Picture: Kirra Smith Photography

And just as we are about to pop a pants button, the bucatini alfredo ($42) arrives – the expertly al dente pasta coated in egg yolk, cream and blanketed with crispy shards of salty prosciutto.

It’s a well-made rendition of the classic, as is the pork cotoletta with a side of vinaigrette-dressed leaves and a wedge of lemon providing just the right acidic relief to the juicy, golden-crumbed chop.

Dessert is impossible to fit in, with not even that sea air helping to create room, but for those who do have space, it’s all about classics like pistachio cannoli, chocolate mousse, panna cotta and New York cheesecake.

Dining out on holidays can be expensive, but if you’re looking for terrific value and portion sizes that will have you kissing goodbye your New Year’s weight loss resolution, Hanks is a gentleman you’ll want to meet.

delicious.com.au/eatout

Hanks

76 Musgrave St, Kirra

5599 6700

hankskirra.com.au

Open

Tue-Sun midday-late

Must try

Pork cotoletta

Verdict – Scores out of 5

Food 4

Service 4

Ambience 3.5

Value 4.5