LOCATION
Alto Cucina and Bar is located on the corner of Victoria Avenue Mall and Old Burleigh Rd, just minutes from the waves of Broadbeach on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
DETAILS
Alto Cucina and Bar is a fun and relaxing venue for any meal, whether a lively morning brunch with the family or a romantic date of cocktails and tapas at twilight. The airy open plan dining area consists of sleek wooden booths, retro orange lounges and dark modern floorboards, creating a fusion of outdoor informality and indoor refinement. The restaurant is soaked in natural Queensland sunlight throughout the day, and during the evening the venue glows with warm lighting fixtures. The broad terrain covered by the menu means that diners have the choice between a sit down meal or grazing peacefully on little bites at Alto’s hip lounge bar.
FUNCTIONS
Sections of Alto’s lounge area can be hired out for events. There are many great menu options for group bookings, including canapé selections, tasting plates, seafood banquets and a la carte.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Alto’s strength lies in its incredible diversity of dishes. From the house-blended muesli ($9.90) on the refreshing breakfast menu, to the scrumptious tapas style snacks ($3.50 - $16.90) and gourmet pizzas ($18.50- $23.90) available throughout the afternoon and evening, it would be easy to while away a lazy day sipping watermelon-tinis and sampling treats from Alto’s impressive selection. The Mediterranean style main courses and tasting platters are perfect for those with an appetite that tapas cannot sate. With a choice between salads full of seasonal ingredients, hearty meat dishes, fresh seafood and colourful vegetarian fare – Alto gracefully satisfies the individual desires of each diner. The cocktail menu is crammed with innovative fruit-infused concoctions, which form the ideal liquid companions for warm Gold Coast nights.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Alto’s food philosophy focuses on the enjoyment of a variety of tastes. This Broadbeach restaurant is run by an Italian family and, since opening in 2004, it has gained popularity with locals and tourists alike. With generations of experience in the hospitality industry, current owners the DiMattina family know how to run a tight ship. Executive chef Gary Martin has infused his passion for food with the love of Italian-style cooking, giving diners a selection of flavour sensations throughout the day – from breakfast and brunch through to lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Alto Cucina’s menu offers small tastes for one or big tastes to be shared by many. For the sharers, Alto has created an extensive menu including oyster shooters, king prawns, grilled haloumi, seared scallops, nonna’s home-style meatballs and teriyaki sirloin strips. For those not willing to share, there are many dishes to choose from, including wok-fried chilli sand crab, lamb merguez sausage, Mexican chicken, pan-roasted chicken breast, oven-roasted lamb rack, salads and pasta. While Alto has a dish to suit just about everyone – vegos and gluten-free included – the restaurant goes beyond serving quality food. Fully licensed, it has a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails, and it also has a resident DJ to get the evenings buzzing. The outside dining area exudes a beachy atmosphere, while inside a more urban style adds a touch of sophistication for an after-work drink or business lunch.
Madeleine Doherty