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Jak still remembers Mrs Goldstein because she was frightening. Founded in 1944, Goldstein’s is a Gold Coast institution and now a chain.You won’t find some of the fancy breads we are used to in Melbourne but the shops sell a decent enough product, especially the pies and Jewish breads.I’d recommend that you eat the plain mince with ketchup - Heinz, of course.The chicken and mushroom (above) is a gourmet pie requires no additions.  I particularly, like the coding for the pies as explained on the back of this bag especially when every family member wants a different one. 

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There’s four different types of mangoes in Coles. Over a dozen types of quality processed meat, mostly, Spam. And more prawns than you can point a stick at.

The strange thing about traveling is the differences of choices reflecting local produce and conditions. At Vintage Cellars the demand is for expensive champagne and heavy, high alcohol red wines judging by what is on the shelves. I can only find whites in a small fridge tucked away in the back of the shop and I can count the unwooded wines on one hand. 

Here real men drink something called XXXX Gold, a mid-strength alcoholic beverage that I can’t bring myself to call beer. Nevertheless, I’m forced to drink the stuff.

Later in the loo I’m pointing at what looks like a bicycle lamp that seems to be leaking blue battery fluid.A roll of scented-quilted-dolphin pattern printed loo roll causes a rash in an unfortunate place.I’m guessing that given the choice, you wouldn’t have wanted to hear that. The thing is, there aren’t terribly many choices up here. 

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What is it with the brashest places also having the worst restaurants with the worst names? I’ve recently returned from the Gold Coast where money seems to be sloshing around and everybody seemingly drives either a BMW or a Mercedes.

You’d think that with all that money that there would be decent food and drink to be had. I can only think of half a dozen places worth visiting but this

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