Room81

The Gold Coast is famous for its style, and Room81 is no different except there is much substance to its style. A soberly appointed but comfortable room opening to Surf Parade is the backdrop, but impeccable service and an inventive and exceptionally well-executed menu are the focus. From the steaming freshly baked bread sliced at your table until dessert's complex array, everything is imaginative and precision plated. Foams, 'sands', 'glasses' and 'clouds' are prominent, but rather than mere decoration they are offered with purpose, always adding to the dish. Venison is paired with textures of beetroot and dark chocolate boudin noir in a complex and substantial dish, while Australian favourites such as two banana-sized king prawns are sauteed in brown butter and come with a spring vegetable salad, cauliflower cream, Iberico ham and green apple cloud. The memory of a peanut parfait salted caramel cream with raspberry gel, chocolate cookie crumble and banana ice-cream will linger long.