Live it up in the Goldie – the Social way

It’s fair to say that the Gold Coast has never been one of Australia’s great culinary destinations. Quite the opposite really.

In fact, while things have mildly improved over the years, the fact remains that there are still vast pockets of the coast that remain almost barren for food lovers. Main Beach being one – where longtime seafood favourite Omeros has slowly, but sadly faded from its past glories, leaving next to nothing of culinary note in such a prime part of one of the world’s most famous (and rightly so) beach stretches.

But surely in this land of long white beaches, perfect sunny days, endless waves and dreamy sunsets there are restaurants that rival the quality and innovation being served at the newest and best in the eastern seaboard culinary goliaths of Melbourne and Sydney? 

The answer, so thankfully, is yes. You’ll have to search, but they are out there. The likes of Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach today have captured the running as the Gold Coast’s fine dining epicentres.

On a beautiful sunny Sunday, our little cohort decided to set off to the busy Broadbeach strip to check out the long running, but updated Social Eating House and Bar, which was recently awarded two hats in The Australian Good Food Guide. Social, or Social 2.0 after its ambitious rebirth from executive chef Matthew Jefferson, is widely known as one of the Gold Coast’s favourites… and for very good reason.

We decided to sit outside in the courtyard, delighting in the warm early December weather matched by the cool sea breeze. What better place to start with a 2022 domaine naturaliste artus Margaret River Chardonnay matching our House charcuterie, served with accompaniments plus baguette. The meats were tasty, the bread fresh and delicious, and the good times were starting to roll.

A short snap later we were dining on the impressive sashimi of the day. Soft select kingfish (I know, more Kingfish, but trust me this is good – it is the Gold Coast after all and fresh fish is never a problem to source here!) combined with a moreish sauce set the scene for what was ahead. 

The King prawns with garlic butter cider were as good a prawn dish as we have tasted anywhere in Australia in 2024 – the sauce was so good, it was drinkable, which dare I say it, one of my learned colleagues did.

The remaining entree of twice cooked Korean glazed wagyu cucumber sesame slaw and chilli mayo was even better than the prawns. 

The starters were, well, heaven. 

The light breeze began to pick up and the wine switched from white to a stunning (and ideally suited) 2022 Frank Cornelissen ‘Susucaru’ Rosso Nerrelo Mascalese • Sicily, Italy. A red that is ideally suited to sitting outside on a perfect day – full bodied enough to give it bite and flavour, but light enough to keep the palate clean and yearning for more food. Like so many Italian varietals – ideal and very much made for matching with food which is what we did. 

The mains of 12 hr slow cooked lamb with a cabbage slaw and jus and Tempura bugs with Malay curry mango and peanuts did what most mains don’t do after a table full of amazing entrees – they matched and perhaps even surpassed them. 

The lamb was wonderfully cooked – soft, glorious slow cooked meat which combined superbly with a delightful jus and an even better cabbage slaw. Combined with sides of succulent Brussel sprouts and broccolini and, all in the world was beginning to feel just about right. The tempura bugs were gone not long after they hit the table – fresh bugs with a rich, spicy and tangy curry sauce. Wow.

For sweets, a coconut yoghurt panna cotta with mandarin and caramelised white chocolate for dessert was another highlight In a meal filled with them.

The Gold Coast has copped its fair share of criticism over the years and fair enough. The quality of fine dining should be better, more consistent and with far more options but a visit to Social, as the locals call it, reminds us of just what makes the Goldie so special. Highest quality fresh produce, prepared and cooked superbly and with the finest quality service, ensuring everything sings In harmony.

Sunday’s afternoons at Social on the Gold Coast… relax, dial it back and live the Goldie.