I know, you’re thinking I’m writing about myself and the silly predicament I’ve been in with my bad back but no, The Loose Goose is a restaurant on the Sunshine Coast. My friends Jan and David sent an email the other day that said they’d been inside too long and it was time to go to lunch.
Nobody has said it out loud but it’s usually my turn to choose where we go for lunch. Some restaurants were closed for the day and some were fully booked because it’s been school holidays and I was getting desperate. I remembered someone telling us they’d been to the Loose Goose and it was good so I booked online.
The name seemed weird but when we opened the menu, it says the name came about from the nursery rhyme Lucy Goosey after the parents had enjoyed more than enough wine, The Loose goose was born. Despite the name, it’s an upscale restaurant sitting next to a lily pond.
It’s in Twin Waters next to the golf club at the end of a small shopping strip housing a convenience store and that made me raise my eyebrows a bit. I tend to avoid places like this but once we got inside, it’s really lovely and modern. The ceiling is open to the roof which gives the place a sense of space and the tables are set wide enough apart that you don’t feel you’re eating with the people beside you.
We were met at the door by a very friendly face who asked if we wanted to sit outside by the water or inside where it was a bit warmer. It’s winter – we wanted to be inside. The service was immediate and friendly and remained so throughout the meal.
The kitchen is open to the dining room so I made sure I could sit where I could watch the chefs in action. One was peeling apples and he certainly got through them a lot quicker than I could have. Another chef was chopping things finely and another was busy over the stove.
We received our menus and the lunch specials and everyone had a different idea. I decided I wanted two appetisers. Truthfully, I couldn’t hold an appetiser and a main course so two small dishes seemed like a good idea.
When I saw the crepes with pulled pork, nothing else mattered. The dish was deconstructed with crepes on the left side of the plate and a portion of pulled pork on the right with a tomato and courgette salad in the middle. The pork sent me right back home to the South. I wrapped some pork in the crepe and I was in heaven. I felt the salad could have used some seasoning and maybe a splash of vinegar so I left that, knowing I had another dish coming.
Having two appetisers seemed like a good idea to everyone and they both wanted the chicken pate with orange marmalade.
I tasted Jan’s chicken pate and it was flavourful and creamy with the tart marmalade making a party in my mouth. She thought the it was delicious too.
Jan and I both wanted the twice baked cheese souffle over beetroot. It’s one of those dishes that might not be all that beautiful but we swooned at the first bite. The soufflé was light and cheesy and just what we’d hoped for. It sat on a dish of roasted beetroot and beetroot cream and candied walnuts. I love beetroot and didn’t think it was possible to have too much of it but the lightness of the soufflé against the really firm beetroot seemed odd in my mouth. I had two tiny pieces of walnut and the dish could have used more of that and less of the beetroot we thought. That said, we both enjoyed it and sent back no soufflé and only a little beetroot.
Isn’t this char-grilled eye fillet steak lovely? It was served on top of mashed potatoes along with sauteed bacon, peas, brussels sprouts and eschallots. The steak was perfectly cooked and the plate was clean.
David ordered the fish from the lunch special ($30) and he said it was cooked to perfection – soft, flaky and very tasty.
Jan and I were too full for dessert but David’s individual pavlova was served on strawberry sauce with finely (and perfectly) diced strawberries on top with a scoop of ice cream and more strawberry sauce. The pavlova was baked in an oval shape and looked so pretty on the dish.
Jan and my cheese plate looked terrific and I’ll admit that even though I was stuffed, I needed a piece of cracker with some Cropwell Bishop Stilton cheese and some quince paste. I want to learn how to prepare an apple like that! For an instant I thought about changing my mind about being full because it was SO good. Therewas also some Mon Pere Brie on the plate but sadly I was too full. Next time.
This gem of a suburban restaurant will see us visiting again soon thanks to head chef Carl Mitaros and his enthusiastic team.
The Loose Goose
3/175 Ocean Drive
Twin Waters, QLD 4564
Phone 07 5457 0887
Open for lunch and dinner 12 noon to 11:30pm.
(This meal was independently paid for.)
Great photos Maureen! And beetroot and cheese souffle is an interesting combo. I think I might be with you-a bit more cheese to beetroot (actually more cheese in any ratio to anything really) 🙂
I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
Gosh, it would be difficult to choose what to have. I would probably have to go often and try something new each time. 🙂
I think that’s what we all have in mind, Madonna!
Oh la la Maureen ! Everything looks terrific ! I would like to try the crepes and David’s dessert ! What a nice restaurant !
I hope you get to visit one day, Eva!
All of the dishes look amazing. I’ve never heard of twice baked cheese souffle… intriguing. I’m curious if that’s butter wrapped around the triangle of chicken pate? Is there liver in it? The cheese plate for afters is perfect. I’d prefer it over the sweet pavlova any time.
Let’s see. yes, that’s butter and they both left it behind. and yes, there was liver in it. I could have eaten both the cheese AND the pavlova. 🙂
Hi Maureen, sounds like you picked a gem of a restaurant. Everything looks so good. The twice baked souffle sounds very interesting. Take care!
Yes, the souffle was so light and cheesy and not at all ‘eggy’ if you know what I mean.
So glad you got to get out & about Maureen.
I’ve been hearing about this restaurant for a long time…& still yet to try it!
Lot’s of people say good things about The Loose Goose….well done :)) xx
We should meet there for lunch one day! I’m in!
I always enjoy open kitchens! So much fun to watch food being prepared. Anyway, sounds like a fun restaurant. Glad you had a good time.
I love to watch them cook too. Watching the guy cutting those itsy bitsy strawberry cubes was cool.
That steak and snow peas look delish! Hope you are on the mend my friend! Greetings from the Lakes District.
I think of you two every day. I hope you’re having the best time ever!!
Maureen, you cracked me up again…. I’ve been laughing so much about the Loose Goose, that I walk around the house, shake my head, say Loose Goose out loud and laugh all over again… I guess I’m feeling a little bit like it today. Too much sun on my bones, I can tell you that much
what a great place, don’t you love when you find a gem of a place so unexpectedly?
Loose Goose… oh, that is too good!
It’s not far from the swanky Novotel and it’s next door to the swish golf course but in this strip center is a fish n chip shop, a real estate office, a convenience store and then this restaurant. Not what you’d expect.
That steak has me drooling. The fish does too. I would have named restaurant Loosey Goosey. But then I am more than a bit odd.
Hope you are feeling better, Maureen.
I like Loosey Goosey too 🙂
Not that beautiful? The shuffle looks incredible! 😉 I’m glad to see you are out and about. I left you a message yesterday on your phone, but no need to call back if you’re too busy! I just wanted make sure you are ok. 🙂
Weird. I got a beep on my phone but there was no message and nothing on the log. Then later I saw that I’d called you but I hadn’t. I’m nearly okay! I’m so much better and yesterday I worked without feeling foggy for the first time in ages.
I don’t know if it’s your food photography or if it’s the Loose Goose but WOW this food looks phenomenal!
Oh I’m sure it’s my photographic skills (not!). 🙂
I love your restaurant reviews Maureen.. especially as we live in the same State so I can try these places out! The pate looks pretty amazing. I seriously love the stuff and totally have to visit the loose goose.
Gorgeous photos and a nice review Maureen. I know how hard it is to get good photos inside of a restaurant and these are stunning. I am glad you were able to sit through the dinner, that is awesome.
This one has to go on the ‘remember when there!’ file! Modern and exciting fare not wrecked by ‘fancy plating’! Wish I remembered the name but some two decades ago there was a riverfront restaurant in Brisbane only serving first courses for lunches and absolutely brilliant it was : about three made a lovely meal but most attempted to ‘fit in’ four . . . Don’t usually like ‘deconstructed’ dishes, but the pulled pork does make sense . . . hope you get back soon . . .
I agree on deconstructed dishes. I often feel that they deconstruct stuff because they don’t have the ability to come up with something new but this was outstanding.
One day I’ll visit Australia and paint the town by eating my way though each of your recommendations! Now I’m craving a good steak like that with those greens in the back too!
Glad a good time was had be all Maureen and the food looks very appetizing and mouth watering indeed!
Oh yum! I was drooling at every single photo.
Was that a layer of butter around the pate? Like they do in France? I love the decadence of pate and butter 🙂
I think I would have ordered the cheese soufflé too, teaming it with beetroot sounds a great plan. I might have to try that idea at home.
Mmmm – all looks fab – but love the idea of the pate with orange marmalade, can imagine those flavours working really well. Glad to see you are out and about.
The restaurant may have been inspired by a nursery rhyme, but the Loose Goose does indeed look like an elegant outfit. The pate and pulled pork with crepes look like great choices…as does everything else you ordered! Great photos =) Bet your pals were very pleased with your restaurant choice. P.s. Glad the taste of the South is only a reservation away for you.
Wow, the dishes look incredible delicious. I love the dessert especially:)
Wow, all the dishes look so colorful and delicious!! If I was the restaurant, I would hire you as a product photographer!
Sounds like an absolutely lovely place, and I enjoyed the photos! Too bad I’m so far away!!
It looks like you really lucked out with that restaurant, the food looks spectacular. We have a few places in Toronto in a strip mall but very nice restaurants — it seems odd to me too! We have one place in Etobicoke (a suburb of Toronto) with one of the most renowned wine lists in Canada, and they are in a strip mall! Your food looks delicious, I often order two appetizers too to help keep the calories in check. Sometime JT will share something with me to start so I just have a small starter as my main.
Wow – each pictures I was sitting there with my mouth hanging open – every single dish looks wonderful. What a great restaurant experience – I never have such luck!
Every single one of those dishes looks downright gorgeous! I would totally go to that restaurant if I lived closer. For now, I’ll just dream of eating those wonderful dishes 😉
Wow this place looks wonderful. I love how all the foods been plated and hopefully you were able to keep a close watch on how they prepared some of these stunning dishes. If I ever make it to Australia I may have to make a trip to this restaurant.
You loose goose, you! I think I know where this is. A few years ago we booked accommodation in a resort that was right on that golf course and I remember walking to a group of shops where there was a little supermarket. There certainly wasn’t much more than that as I think a lot of the shops had become vacant. The resort wasn’t too good as the apartments were individually owned and our one was definitely owned by a grandma with the daggiest furniture around and no modern things like stereos and ipod docks etc. I’m glad you all enjoyed your lunch and I would have been happy with the meringue dessert and the cheese plate xx
wow, awesome!!!
the pulled pork seems very comforting, but sure you need one hell of a workout to burnt the calories out, especially from the liver pate….
Gosh, it all looks fantastic to me, but I’d have to go with the pulled pork crepes too. I do love pulled pork. 🙂
This is some beautiful food and the pavlova looks delicious.
What a find! I’d be happy to sample all the dishes you shared! I love the two appetizer lunch idea—more to taste 🙂
I so love the idea of the crepes with pulled pork–and the presentation is simple and lovely. I am a Southern girl at heart, no matter how many years I’ve been gone, and this takes me back to my Dad’s barbecue! All of this food looks good to me, though.
i too often order 2 appetizers, all the dishes look so mouthwatering and such lovely presentation, i could order 3 appetizers and skip dessert.
You’re too funny Maureen – no, I didn’t think you were referring to yourself as the ‘loose goose’. I hope that your back is feeling better!
This looks like my kind of restaurant! I looked through the photos and couldn’t find a single thing that I didn’t want to try. Pretty accommodating friends you’re eating with – waiting to dig in so you can snap a quick pic. 😉
Maureen your reviews are always fantastic! Makes me wish I lived in Australia! Glad to hear you are feeling better finally and clearly eating well!
Loose Goose reminds me of a children’s book with Loosey Goosey, a dim wit hen and a fox . I loved that book. The food looks delicious, especially the pulled pok crepes.
gorgeous pictures! the meringue looks amaze!
Pate and Pavlova, yum, yum, yum. I love trying two entrees and having a nibble of the Husband’s main course – that way I always have room for dessert! xx
Everything looks so awesome. I wish I could visit this place. Your photos are brilliant..every one of them made my mouth water!
Maureen – your photos are SO GORGEOUS!!! You make those crepes with pulled pork look incredible – and reading your description – why – it just makes me salivate incessantly!
I’d take one of everything. And so glad you got off your back! But that restaurant would get me out, too! Looks FAB!
Sounds FABULOUS! I was getting so hungry, reading the post and seeing your pictures. I love that apple too. You have to find out how they do that – too cool!
mm yum this all looks pretty fine. glad to see you are getting out and about maureen.:)
Great photos, lovely food, we love the interiors!!! That crepe with pulled pork looks exciting!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
All those dishes looked beautiful.
Maureen, everything looks wonderful (great photography!). I would’ve been very happy with David’s plate. The only thing I would have skipped is the chicken pate.
Just the presentations along have sold me on this restaurant. Wish I could fly over and try it out! I’m a sucker for a good pate’ so I definitely would have gone with that one. 🙂 Fun time, fun review!
All those dishes are so delicious. Thank for sharing.
Oh my heavens, what divine looking food. Everything looks and I am sure tastes magnificent!!
It certainly sounds like a winner and what a nice selection for the lunch menu. Wish it was in my neighborhood. 🙂
OMG The food looks incredible, everything looks so delicious!
Ohhh my!! That looks incredible!! So so good.
I love a good cheese board 😀 the food looked lovely and such a great name for a restaurant.
I agree, the name totally sounds weird, I have to double read it lol but the food looks divine and totally makes up for the name, loving all the dishes you had!
How could you possibly resist anything on a cheese plate that looks that gorgeous???!!!!! You’re a stronger woman than I am.
Lovely photos Maureen!
All of those dishes look fabulous! I like to order entree size dishes too so I have room for dessert. But then I am still faced with the choice of dessert or cheese plate (the problems I have!). Maybe I should skip entree and main and have both the cheese and dessert!
All the dishes looks wonderful, I too frequently order 2 appetizers instead of an appetizer and a main. I have also been known to order 3 appetizers when there are dishes I have to try.
It’s illegal in my household not eating the cheese, being full…. LOL! Cant remember the last time that stopped me from chowing down. Amazing photos too, could go some of the fillet steak. YARM!
I am hungry and all the food looks so good. . I think I order the fish and the pavlova, and of course the cheese and let’s not forget the pulled pork. Scotty, beam me up to the Loose Goose.
Every dish looks so delicious!!
There is no way I could make up my mind when the menu is that good! YUM! Even the pea’s and bacon as a side to the steak looks so good.
I love your images too Maureen, have you been going a photography class? The pics are so stylish and the light looks amazing.
Julie
Those dishes look so wonderful . yes to that cool apple display, how do we do that ? So fun !
These are very lovely images, Maureen, and have made me quite hungry. They really seem to have their presentation well sorted at the Loose Goose.
I do hope you are feeling a little better.
all look amazing and delicious!!
As always a great post! I have been overwhelmed with work and visitors and was finally making time to catch up on my favorite blogs. I realized your last post was a while back so I hope you are ok and all is right in your world. Sending a hug and special thanks for always providing the pleasure of a good read!
Maureen, for a minute there I thought you had made the Pavlova with the strawberry sauce- thinking maybe you might become the next ‘Reynold’ from Masterchef (have you been following it)? I like the idea of baking the PAV in a quenelle oval shape- maybe I’ll try that!
PROBLEM: why did you not bring me with you? It looks like an exquisite and inimitable dining experience.
i want to try absolutely every dish here maureen:) it all looks so delish. that pate looks so smooth and creamy and what about that fillet? and the pav? and the cheese platter? one day we must make a trip up hubby and i and try out this place. hope you are feeling better soon. xx
That baked cheese souffle looks great and I love the look of the fish!
Great post. I will be trying this tonight. It’s exactly what I need after a hard days work.