The Little Plate, Burleigh Qld.
- Felix Marrow
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
Sometimes, stumbling on a little gem is kinda like finding kindred spirits. That's what The Little Plate in Burleigh on the Glitter Coast of Qld was for us. The Little Plate might be bowing out after 13 years, but they’re definitely going out swinging. A splendid visit for a couple of hardened foodies who have very high expectations.
Our instruction was pretty simple - feed us your best, and so started with salmon on nori with wakame and salad and was a one-bite wonder. Soft silky fish and crisp seaweed, it was a clean hit of umami that disappeared before we even realised you needed another.
Coffin Bay Oysters followed and I remain surprised how much interstate seafood is served in Qld. But, they were ice cold, briny little flavour bombs that tasted like the ocean slapped you in the best possible way. Crispy fried prawn dumplings black vinegar, smoked soy, chilli oil, and Asian slaw followed. They were soft, juicy parcels we could have demolished by the dozen.
Then came the first show stopper. White anchovy toasts whipped tarama, radish & yarra valley caviar. Just utterly scrumptious salty bites, topped with fine herb salad. Next up roasted prawn bagna cauda, with sweet baby tomato, garlic, anchovy, nduja butter & grilled bread. Buttery, garlicky, anchovy-rich sauce clinging to sweet, tender seafood and the toasty was salty and crusty. Its the kind of dish you don’t share nicely. Sticking with the seafood theme, we then ate crispy fried Chindarah bay bugs & prawns layered on seaflora & dashi broth and finsihed with ginger and green onion. Just lovely.
From the specials board came our second show stopper. Kinkawooka Mussels bathed in a Sri Lankan spiced curry sauce so fragrant it was lip smacking and may or may not have made its way to a very coastal white blouse! Rice crisps were a fantastic side and this was utterly lovely. Last up and not necessarily needed was some four cheese gnocchi soaking up every drop of sauce like it was born for it. Fair to say the least inspiring of the dishes, with the gnocchi a bit rubbery and too firm. But all in all, one small miss in a great meal.
Every plate felt like Gaynor and Olivia cooking straight from the heart where produce is celebrated, flavours are turned up loud and a generosity that’s been their trademark from day one.
The drinks list is simple enough but very reasonably priced for this part of the world. A Lobethal Road Pinot Gris and a Journey's End Chardonnay left us change of $120 in total which was a surprise.
Burleigh’s losing what should be a legendary venue and good luck to the next place trying to fill those plates. The Little Plate is soon to be gone and we are glad we got to be part of the swan song. Get in if you can because very soon, The Little Plate will be no more.
The Little Plate can be found at Shop 11/3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads, QLD.
Open Thursday - Monday from 5.30pm.
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