Review: Justin Lane Establishment, Burleigh
BURLEIGH’S cult pizza place Justin Lane just got next level, with a new rooftop the perfect place to soak up summer, says Chantay Logan.
Lifestyle
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BEACH views, a blue-sky ceiling, breezy vibes and pina coladas literally on tap — it’s the stuff Gold Coast summer wishlists are made of.
Visitors to Justin Lane Establishment’s new rooftop got a headstart on the season, the misters working weekend overtime to ensure the sun-splashed space was the coolest spot to be in Burleigh … the grown-up equivalent of running under sprinklers.
Cocktails and cold ale proved equally effective, sipped in cushioned window nooks where the breeze sweeps in off the ocean.
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The bench seats are hot property thanks to their prime people-watching potential, but they’re not the only new space to discover thanks to a record four-day makeover.
Cavalier’s second-storey dining room has become pasta HQ and there’s now a dedicated kitchen and retail shop to cater for the thriving takeaway and delivery trade, plus fresh function spaces.
The young, funky floor crew, are everywhere weaving through the crowd in slogan splashed “eat, drink and be messy” tees.
They arrive to our rooftop perch bearing gourmet gifts; the simply sensational San Danielle prosciutto with buffalo mozzarella, peas, mint and olive oil ($18) and crisp-coated Swiss brown mushroom arancini ($15).
Bruschetta with grilled asparagus ($14), Meredith goat’s cheese with pickled beetroot and salsa di noci ($15), grilled sardines ($18) and Mooloolaba king prawns ($23) also feature on an expanded list of nibbles, starters and antipasti.
It’s all fuss-free fare, with beautifully clean flavours.
There’s an admirably restrained approach to the pastas, too, which are made in house daily and cooked fresh-to-order.
Try ricciutelle with spanner crab, fennel, lemon and the kiss of chilli ($26), pappardelle with wagyu Bolognese and grand Padano ($21) or a seafood spliced squid-ink linguine ($25).
Thankfully, nothing’s changed when it comes to the pizzas that started the Justin story.
They ace the thin base — 100 per cent sourdough, naturally risen over 48 hours then hand-stretched to order — and the quality toppings take care of themselves.
Prolong the pleasure with gelato and sorbet selection courtesy of a collaboration with Messina ($6 per scoop), tiramisu ($12), Nutella-filled cannoli ($8) and vanilla pannacotta with summer berries ($11).
If “light and healthy” aren’t among your dessert criteria, dive in the deep-fried deep end with a Nutella ice cream sandwich for two ($18) which is every bit as wicked as it sounds.
I figured they’d have to wheel me out anyway.
JUSTIN LANE ESTABLISHMENT
1708-1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Book it: 5576 8517