You know the rest of the country is standing up to take notice of the Gold Coast when chefs and restaurateurs are moving in from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and now, Bali!
Not surprisingly, you lot went a little crazy when we broke news that the legend behind Barbacoa, one of Seminyak’s hottest restaurants, Adam Dundas-Taylor was bringing his knives and Latin American cooking prowess to claim a piece of turf on the Coast.
Fire Cue Bar and Grill, a name that’s a spin on barbecue, swung open its doors recently and we were first in line to try this hot addition to the local foodie line up.
This prime piece of Nobby Beach real estate may have had a checkered history over the last year or so, but we’re confident this sultry new venture is a total keeper! Adam and his team have worked hard to transform the narrow eatery into a moody space with grungy paint-washed walls, sexy dark leather couches, high tables and stools, exposed globes, and a dimly-lit bar that’s perfect for copious pre or post-dinner vino tintos.
Adam originally moved to the Gold Coast in his late teens, completing a chef’s apprenticeship after school. He moved back and forth to Sydney where he ran a successful catering company out of Bondi, before teaming up with other Sydney restaurateurs to open Barbacoa in Bali, a spot that’s since earned itself a cult-like following. Having witnessed the leaps and bounds our local hospo industry had made in his absence, Adam took the plunge to move his young family back to the Gold Coast, because #lifestyle, and we’re bloody glad he did.
With influences from south and central America, the majority of the menu items at Fire Cue are “bocaditos” or little bites (think: hand-pressed corn tortilla tacos, empanadas, chicken winglets, and grilled corn). Basically, the menu is designed so you can taste your way through all manner of dishes being meticulously prepared in the robust purpose-built kitchen.
The undisputed star of the show here is Fire Cue’s asado and parrilla barbecue grills that are suspended over a bed of wood charcoal. Every weekend, a different animal like a lamb or pig will be charcoal-roasted for eight hours, with organic coals infusing a smokiness into the meat like you wouldn’t believe. It’s simply mouth-watering stuff.
We suggest you also put these babies on your to-taste list: charcoal-grilled prawns on a generous bed of limey, smashed avocado; pork spare ribs slathered in a chipotle and agave glaze; or heavenly picanna steak with chimichurri. Can’t decide?
You’ll wanna know about Taco Tuesdays, when all hand-pressed tacos sell for a tiny five bucks each and Sticky Rib Thursdays, where $22 will get you a half kilo of sticky Chipotle ribs (beef, pork, or lamb). Prepare to get saucy!
What is an atmospheric addition to Nobby Beach’s after-dark line up, Fire Cue Bar and Grill has already nailed the vibe and finger-licking meaty mayhem. Opening night was packed and we’re sure it’s just the beginning of good things to come.
Where: 1/2243 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Photo Credit: Hayley Williamson and Brooke Darling for Metropolist