A new modern Asian fusion eatery for Isle of Capri.
A new modern Asian fusion eatery for Isle of Capri.
If excellent eats with a side of water views is on your Christmas list this year, get excited, because Christmas has come early to Isle of Capri and you’re on the good kid list.
Madam Fu, sister venue of (also excellent) Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen on Chevron Island, opened just last week and (since we’re talking about Christmas for some reason), it is all your Christmases come at once.
Found at Capri on Via Roma, right on the waterfront at Isle of Capri, Madam Fu can be found right at the back overlooking the sparkly boats and offering sophisticated but also laidback dining vibes that’ll ensure you never want to leave.
If you’ve ever visited Fu Manchu, you’ll know the menu is packed with modern flavours combining Asian and European influences and Madame Fu offers up exactly the same level of goodness.
The dishes are all share-style (not that you’ll want to share) with a focus on local produce and native ingredients, a lot of which are foraged by the head chef from local areas. We love it when ingredients are foraged.
If you’re not familiar with the term, it means ‘obtained by searching’ and that is exactly what the team do, with their very own hands, to ensure the very best quality makes it to the plate.
All produce on the menu is sustainably caught and farmed and the team ensure they know everything can be reproduced at a sustainable level before taking anything. Which is the way of the future you guys.
Let’s chat about the dishes though because, like we said, all of the Christmases.
First up, the Hiramasa Kingfish with ginger dressing, apple and nasturtium is both sharp and melt-in-your-mouth and an absolute must-try. If you love an incredible dumpling, the Spanner Crab with prawn and ginger dashi is one of the very best we’ve tried.
Grilled King Prawns with green papaya som tam and toasted coconut is also exceptional with some of the plumpest prawns there has ever been.
Bao are also on the menu and Crispy Ssamjang Chicken with kewpie and cucumber pickle was our favourite (although we loved them all).
Also, for something green, the Fried Local Shishito Peppers with sambal mole and Manchego cheese (LOVE) were probably our favourite. One in 20 peppers is hot and the rest and sweet and delicious and yes, of course, we got a hot one. WORTH IT.
There are plenty of vegetarian dishes on offer of course and a wine and cocktail list that will ensure you don’t go thirsty.
All in all, a new favourite has arrived and soon enough you’ll be able to get the ferry to Isle of Capri from Surfers and Chevron Island and there are plans for some fun double-header dinners at Fu Manchu and Madam Fu in the works.
Oh Madam Fu, how we love you. You’re welcome.
LOCATION: Capri on Via Roma, Isle of Capri
HOURS: From 11.30am for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
They’re soft, silky and filled with the tastiest of goodness and they are quickly gaining popularity as the perfect snack on the go. Luckily for Isle of Capri goers, BAO Burgers has recently opened and they are serving some of the best baos around.
In case you’ve never had the pleasure of putting one in your mouth, baos are a kind of Chinese sandwich made with a pillowy steamed bun and filled with anything from bacon and eggs to soft shell crab.
Found inside Capri on Via Roma and set against a sparkling, boat-laden backdrop, BAO Burgers is a street food style of venue with both dine in and takeaway options, a first for the complex.
If you’re a boatie, it’s a great takeaway option for cruising the high seas or a canal cruising picnic. Moor up and hoe down captains.
Owner Shane McDowall (former owner of The Boatshed in Currumbin) aimed to open something unique to the area that would be seen as an easy takeaway option but could also be enjoyed as a sit down meal, paired with fries and a gelato milkshake (yes please).
Obviously though, the most important thing is the baos themselves and the many delicious flavour options there are to choose from.
Starting with a breakfast bao. Choose from fillings of bacon, egg and tomato chutney or something a little bit fancier like the smoked salmon, Japanese egg, spinach and orange aioli.
Stick around until lunchtime and opt for the fried Szechuan chicken bao with coleslaw and sriracha aioli or a vego option featuring salt and pepper mushroom or halloumi.
For those who aren’t keen on the gluten side of things, baos are also available as sweet little salads.
Oh and in perhaps the greatest bao-related news of all time, there’s soon to be dessert baos on offer including a deep fried bao with mango, pineapple, toasted coconut and vanilla bean gelato.
It’s time to bao down to the tasty little morsels that are about to take over Isle of Capri. How many can you do?
LOCATION: Capri on Via Roma, 15 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Hey look, we’re at Chevron Island again with yet another epic eatery bringing us all the tasty treats we love. Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen are the ones we’re here to discuss and, more specifically, the menu they just released that is sure to knock your socks off.
First of all, if you’ve yet to visit Fu Manchu, you’re doing yourself a great disservice and second of all, when you do go, take us.
Encompassing the (absolutely epic) flavours of South-East Asia, the spring/summer menu is bringing the absolute goods and we suggest you try every single dish we’re about to bring to your attention.
Starting with Beetroot Cured Hiramasa Kingfish with Cucumber Wakame and Zesty Nuoc Cham dressing, because yes please to anything with the word zesty in the title. Same, same to Yellowfin Tuna rolled in sesame seeds and lightly seared with avocado, watercress and wasabi-soy dressing.
Vego friends, you’re covered too. There’s Crispy Eggplant with Sichuan, peanut caramel AND Crispy Tofu (stay with us) with Tamarind chilli jam and fried curry leaves. Taste sensations; don’t even think about missing those two.
Moving on. Crispy Wonton Tacos have their very own section on the menu and for good reason. There’s Slow Braised Beef Brisket (hi, friend) with corn salsa and Manchego cheese ones. Not to mention Pea and Potato Samosas with smoked yoghurt and pickled ocra.
Give us all of the things.
These mouth-watering creations are the work of Chef Richard Manks who brings his Michelin Star training to us lucky little Gold Coasters.
To accompany said epic menu is, of course, an epic drinks list which is made up of all the very best Asian and local craft beers PLUS hand-crafted cocktails that pair beautifully with the dishes and look pretty as a picture too.
Let’s chat about the interior for a bit (this is more of a monologue really isn’t it). Anyway, Fu Manchu is spread over two levels and it’s all sleek and low lit and styled with fancy designer wallpaper that’ll make you feel as though you just stepped into a downtown NYC establishment.
You may go there on a regular evening for date night OR for functions and corporate events, which we highly recommend because we can come too
Please let us come.
LOCATION: 2/44 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island
HOURS: 5pm until 10pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 11.30am until 10pm Thursday to Sunday
STORY SPONSORED BY FU MANCHU ORIENTAL KITCHEN
Hey everyone, it’s a happy Monday indeed because as you will have no doubt read in the title of this article, an alcohol delivery service has just launched on the Gold Coast and that’s pretty much our lives complete.
Jimmy Brings is the new guy in town and let’s face it, everyone’s new favourite because he is guaranteeing alcohol delivery to your front door within 30 minutes.
Has there ever been a greater announcement? Doubtful.
The official Gold Coast launch will see the rapidly expanding brand roll out in 26 suburbs and yes, yours is almost certainly on the list.
Here it is so you can be sure – Ashmore, Benowa, Bilinga, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall, Burleigh Heads, Chevron Island, Clear Island Waters, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Surfers Paradise, Isle of Capri, Main Beach, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Palm Beach, Robina, Southport, Tugun and Varsity Lakes.
Being the absolute good time guy that he is, Jimmy Brings invites you to stay in your stretchy pants, sprawled out on the couch with Netflix, UberEATS and a big old smile on your face and he won’t even judge you.
See, new fave guy. There wasn’t much competition but that’s a tale for another time.
In celebration of the launch, new customers (that’s us friends) can get themselves an excusive $10 discount if we place an order with Jimmy Brings using the code GOLD10.
Additionally, delivery is FREE for a limited time. Beer, wine AND spirits are on offer so you can actually be delivered an entire party.
BEST. NEWS. EVER.
The code is valid until June 30th and you can download the app, use the website or phone through to order.
Bye life outside the house. Nice(ish) knowing you.
Happy drinking (responsibly though, hangovers are nobody’s friend).
Words by Kirra Smith
