Gelataria Dolce Follia

Gelataria Dolce Follia
1726 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads, QLD

After our lunch at Burleigh Heads Hotel, I was itching for ice-cream. I've mentioned before but there's something about sun and surf that makes ice-cream not just desirable but an outright necessity. We wandered towards the water and spotted Gelataria Dolce Follia across the road.

Burleigh Heads Hotel

Burleigh Heads Hotel
http://www.burleighheadshotel.com.au/

In what could only be described as a fit of very temporary life motivation, I thought it would be a great idea to take advantage of the peak summer weather and head to the coast. I picked Burleigh heads for its hiking trail and figured that even on a weekend, it should be less busy than Surfer's. Oh how wrong I was.

We went as a small group via two vehicles and navigated through tremendous traffic pains. Car number 2 was involved in a slight vehicular incident. None of us could find parking and this added another half hour or so to the journey. We ended up at our destination 3hrs past the original speculated time.

Sugar highs from Mister Fitz

Mister Fitz, Fortitude Valley
1 Little Street, Fortitude Valley

I can think of few examples of social media campaigning more successful than Mister Fitz. Even before it had officially opened, there was online hype everywhere. I would suggest that part of why the message spread so loudly is that Mister Fitz produces some of the most Instagram-worthy desserts imaginable. It's interesting that the most popular uploads, at least on my feed, are a combination of new and trendy green/raw/organic #fitspo diet dishes and the most diabetic amalgamations of donuts, ice-cream, sundaes and more. These monster desserts are taking over the world and in a year where every form of croissant hybrid has been and gone (cronut, cruffin etc), Mister Fitz managed to intrigue us with something that hasn't been done to death... the humble ice-cream sandwich.

Except, here, it isn't a simple vanilla-between-two-wafers affair at all. These are the ice-cream sandwiches of your wildest dreams and its easy to see why posts with people proudly selfying with their Mister Fitz creations garnered so many likes and online interest.

Dinner at Les Bubbles

Les Bubbles
http://www.lesbubbles.com.au/

My Korean friends told me that in Korea, rather than every restaurant serving a range of different dishes, you tend to find local establishments that feature a dish they're good at. For instance, one corner store might be the bees knees in chicken broth whilst its neighbour is the expert in bulgogi stew. When you dine there, that's what you order. I always liked that as an idea... the concept of offering one thing on the menu but doing it very well. This is probably why Les Bubbles intrigued me right from the start.

Steak and chips is a winner any day of the week but at Les Bubbles, it is the constant star of the show. Aside from a choice of three sauces, your meal is set for the day with the signature steak, soft leaf salad and bottomless fries.

Pizzeria Violetta for Dinner

Pizzeria Violetta, Kenmore
http://www.pizzeriavioletta.com.au/

What a shock! Not only is it 2016 but we're well into mid-January. How did this happen? Wasn't Christmas just last week?  This is my first post relating to a 2016 restaurant experience. I was in a funk over the new year period... maybe it was work-related or maybe it's just me. In any case, I just didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. One evening, Marc took initiative and dragged me out of the house for dinner. It turned out to be just the right thing to kick some life back into me.

We had a booking for Saturday night, which I cannot stress highly enough. This restaurant is small and I doubt you can get a weekend table without a booking. If takeaway is an option, then by all means order that but if you want to sit and eat, ring ahead and book.

Claret House Wine Bar for Dinner and Drinks

Claret House Wine Bar
http://clarethouse.com.au/

As I've already mentioned in previous posts, I've spent most of this holiday season working, which results in little time or energy for anything else. I'm now up to my eyeballs in unblogged food reviews. I was under the impression we weren't eating out as much these days, and compared to our time at West End that may be true but if all my food photos are anything to go by, my stomach has still managed to keep busy.

Drinks and Nibblies at Dutch Courage

Dutch Courage Officers' Mess
http://dutchcourage.com.au/

Passing through the silly season, there's bound to be more posts featuring alcoholic beverages with 'some food' verses the usual proper restaurants that mostly focus on food. Dutch Courage Officers' Mess is a place I've wanted to try since it first opened.

Blossom and I are soul sisters when it comes to drinking. I can recall many dreary nights when I felt like my life was a mess and the only beacon of hope came from a glass of comfort at night. Wine is my poison of choice nowadays but back then, we were big on the gin and tonic. Dutch Courage is a specialist gin bar and it made a lot of sense for us to try it together and reminisce.