Hanks

Hanks restaurant is a stunning vision of coastal chic with an exquisite Mediterranean-inspired menu in a prime corner location across the road from Kirra Beach.

With wraparound glass windows to maximise the sea views, Hanks' interior is cleverly partitioned into a main dining room of mostly group tables and bar seating (where the gorgeous bar takes pride of place at the rear), and an intimate side area suited to couples.

Featuring chic tiled terracotta floors, elegant modern chandeliers, soaring ceilings, coarse linen curtains and touches of gold trims on arches, the decor is a dreamy fusion of Mediterranean meets the Gold Coast.

A match for the decor, the menu takes inspiration from the Mediterranean coast using fresh local produce, starting with delectable bites like salmon Vaiar 'Yarra Valley', potato rosti & creme fraiche; and smoked Wagyu crostino, anchovy mayonnaise and pecorino. It's also worth ordering the divine house-baked Tuscan 'Schiaciatta' bread served with a choice of oils, perfect for mopping up the delicious sauces that come with many of the dishes. 

Small plates include crudo of Fraser Island scallops with finger lime dressing; burrata with caramelised honey & fennel seed; local mushrooms with aged balsamic & thyme; grilled octopus & XO vinaigrette; and pork belly with white beans and salsa verde.

The selection of larger dishes includes fresh handmade pasta such as rigatoni alla vodka, stracciatella & chili oil; Aunt Caroline's baked spinach & ricotta ritolo; bucatini alfredo, egg yolk jam, crispy prosciutto and cracked pepper; or Bay lobster spaghetti with cherry tomato, chilli, garlic and lemon.

Other dishes, from the grill, include chargrilled spatchcock, nduja butter & charred lemon; pork cotoletta with gem lettuce, parmigiano reggiano & lemon; market fish with heirloom tomatoes & fermented chilli; and Ballina prawns with green garlic butter and lemon. 

Dessert options range from house signature Hanks New York Cheesecake; pistachio cannoli; and dark chocolate mousse with salted hazelnut and olive oil to decadent liquid desserts like the Screwball Delight (rum, peanut butter whiskey, peanut infused banana liqueur and chocolate bitters blended with ice cream & whipped cream) and the ultimate, 'According to Hank' (coconut vodka, peanut butter whiskey, coffee liqueur, wattle toffee liqueur, espresso and salted caramel syrup).

From the bar, it's hard to resist a cocktail as Hanks would have to have one of the best and most playful cocktail lists on the coast, starting with creative concoctions like Lady Avo (Lula rum, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup and a few drops of Cherry Creek avocado oil); along with Watermelon Melody Spritiz; Truffle Negroni and Chocolate Theory Campari. There's also a smattering of mocktails that are equally as good.

The carefully curated wine list is super user friendly, with maps at the bottom of each page indicating which regions in the world the wine comes from. And for beer drinkers there's mostly local craft beers and ciders (including a couple of non-alcoholic beers) while soft drinks are mostly by Fever Tree.

Good to know - Hanks takes its name from the owner's beloved dog. 

Need to know - There is onstreet parking available on Musgrave Rd and surrounding streets. Hanks can be found on the northern end of the restsurants at 76 Musgrave Rd, on the corner of Lord St.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

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