To visit Bar Leo, tucked away in the burbs of Sorrento on the Gold Coast, is to enjoy a delightful, modern Mediterranean style dining experience with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients and an impressive, curated wine list.
Bar Leo opened in March this year and offers the choice of comfortable inside seating or a wonderful alfresco area that even on a chilly evening was appealing. The outdoor space is bordered by a small park complete with a fenced playground for the kids - perfect for families to chill on a weekend and enjoy drinks and shared snacks. The kids’ menu is a plus as well. Every day has Happy Hour, 4-6pm, with $8 wines and beers.
But let’s get down to the menu! Generous servings that are all about sharing is the name of the game. Every item on the menu has special touches to savour. The duck liver pate is served with tasty pickles and focaccia made in-house with the most delicious currants soaked in a Spanish dessert wine. The snacks include marinated South Australian warmed olives, saganaki and steak tartare with chilli oil, crème fraiche, bonito, mustard and straw potato!
Small plates feature chargrilled Mooloolaba king prawns, local octopus and a 250g Wagyu rump cap MB 7+ with field mushroom, golden shallot, and nori butter. One of the most popular items on this part of the menu is the Northern Rivers chorizo.
Moving to the larger share plates presents a dilemma! What to choose? Cuttlefish ink risotto, or a delicate half roast chicken, or the succulent lamb rump? The grilled local market fish is always a go! The owners often drive to the southern end of the Gold Coast, or to one of the top-notch seafood outlets, to personally source the freshest of local fish. The fish of the day can range from Iluka dusky flathead to local red emperor or coral trout. Diners can also complement their dishes with a selection of vegetables and salads, again with that unique Mediterranean touch.
Desserts are another delightful dilemma but it was hard to go past the white chocolate bavarois with dulce de leche, topped off with a milk chocolate foam.
Bar Leo offers the usual selection of cocktails, but the beers and wines are quite unique. Along with locally made beers, there are two lagers on tap that owners describe as “food beer”. The wine list is extensive and as I said, impressive! The owners personally curate it and it boasts a great selection of Australian and international wines. The attentive staff will help to perfectly match the wine with menu choices.
Bar Leo is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm, and Fridays through to Sundays from 12 till late. They stay open between these weekend hours, which is ideal for a late lunch, early dinner or happy hour. Sunday arvos often include acoustic music and as the months get warmer, they will make this a more regular happening.
