A Trufflin' Good Time

On my aforementioned coastal escape, a friend and I decided to venture away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise and enjoy an evening more relaxed at the Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar in Mermaid Beach.

From start to end, it was a truly charming evening. Our waiter (presumably also either the owner or maitre d'), was the perfect host, providing charming, speedy service and an impeccable knowledge of the menu.

Which brings me to the food. I honestly couldn't fault the fare we were presented with. Warranting special mention was the beef fillet and croquette, sautéed spinach, mushrooms and red wine jus. It may be my Dutch heritage talking, but croquettes hold a special place in my heart. This particular variation didn't disappoint, providing the perfect compliment for the fillet and serving as an interesting, flavourful substitute to the usual mashed potato (or similar).

That is not to say we didn't order mashed potato...we did. And it was delightful. The truffled creamed potatoes came creamy, light and infused with the woody decadence of truffles.

The final stand-out of the night was, fittingly, dessert. I ordered the berry soufflé with warm white chocolate sauce and was pleasantly surprised (actually, that's a lie, I was floored) when it appeared on the table less than fifteen minutes after ordering. I don't know quite what black magic was involved, but I like it! The soufflé itself was light, fluffy and flavoursome, while the accompanying white chocolate sauce was delightfully decadent.

Rustic sign outside the restaurant

Menu

Sourdough with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Free range chicken with truffle, baby vegetables, 

garlic cream and jus de Provence  

Beef fillet and croquette, sautéed spinach, 

mushrooms and red wine jus 

 Truffled creamed potatoes

White and dark chocolate mousse with variations of strawberries and raspberries

Berry soufflé with warm white chocolate sauce

My sole criticism of this delightful venue relates to the décor. While the upper level is cloaked in dark colours and dim lighting, the lower floor was, by comparison, harshly lit and festooned in far brighter colours, creating a visual dissonance.

All in all, a wonderful restaurant...I will certainly be seeking out a reason to visit again soon!

Bon appétit! Xx