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Benihana Japanese teppanyaki
This new column in the Good Life section comes about with requests to feature people and organisations involved in the networking and sustainable growth of conscientious businesses and the ever-growing demand for clean food and real ‘eco’ products in the northern rivers and Australia. From time to time this column will see guest writers, snippets from myself, and your letters published. To contribute, email Matthew Michaelis: goodlife@echo.net.au.
A Growing contribution Whether it is making soup for a sick friend or dropping a casserole in, we all like to be nourished. I remember B Gate at Bentley Blockade on a cold evening. A lady pulled up and landed a Moroccan casserole for the crew. One act of kindness can translate tenfold. It is a feeling like no other, to feed one another and help a cause. It’s another important cause that’s on the menu at the Harvest Vintage event at Imogen’s Winery in Whian Whian this week.
BANGALOW
Imogen’s winery is set in the magic of Whian Whian. Douglas and Christine Kesteven, the owners of Imogen’s Winery, tragically lost their daughter just before her 21st birthday in 1997 owing to mental health issues. The farm was named Imogen’s Farm by her brother, Nathan, in her honour. As a doctor witnessing patients with mental illness, it was Nathan’s idea to dedicate this annual event to raise funds for Grow, a community organisation. Imogen’s fundraiser, to be held on 21 Feb 2015, will showcase
Bangalow Dining Rooms
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Bangalow Hotel Open 7 days Lunch: 12 – 3pm Dinner 5.30 – 9pm All day bistro menu
BYRON BAY
6687 1144
Success Thai Mon-Fri 12-3pm Dinner 7 days from 5pm. 3/109 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7798
The secret to Henry’s success is his genuine love for his job. ‘My favourite part of my job has always been the customer interaction – I love meeting new people,’ he said. Ikue Terui has been the manager here for two and a half years. Not just an administrator, she has been dancing and drumming since she was six years old. Now she entertains with her 30-year-old Japanese drum and dances five nights in the restaurant. Benihana is fully licensed and open for dinner until 9.30pm, seven days a week. A special ‘earlybird’ $35 per head special is available when seated between 5.30 and 6pm for steak, chicken and veg selections. (Not available Saturday nights or school hols.) The restaurant is situated on Level 3 of the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise. Bookings essential on (07) 5592 9770 or email benihana.reservations@marriott.com.
a demonstration of grape picking and crushing – a rare treat to witness. Mandy Nolan will MC the event while you enjoy an Italian feast by Roberto Costanzo (ex River Cafe London) Nomadic Kitchen. A feast of local producers, Nimbin Dairy and slowcooked meats by Russell Wilson of Dunoon Garage, sweets by Faith Newman and pane by Heart Bread – I can also guarantee there will be some of those preserved lemons tucked in somewhere.
takeaways into ‘Old Macdonald’ mini-farms with kitchen gardens for children to pick and mix herbs and ethical burgers all supplied by local farmers, free-range chickens with drive-through compost bins, worm farms and free heirloom self-seeding packaging with every family meal. www.alisondrover.com / www.forkinthefield.com.
In the sublime vineyard setting of Imogen’s Farm, feasters will be contributing to Grow, a community organisation that has helped thousands of Australians recover from mental illness through a unique program of mutual support for personal development. Feed your appreciation for our local farmers – their processes and skills, a reminder of the significance of harvest and our seasons, a contribution by our community to help a cause and other farmers and the community. I’ll toast to that. – Alison Drover Find out more about Grow www.grow.org.au. Buy tickets from www.grow.org.au or 6621 2737 / 6689 5839 (also available from the Dunoon garage). Imogen’s Farm Wines: 607 Whian Whian Rd, Whian Whian.
About Alison Drover Alison is a ‘locavore-frugavore’, sustainable-food consultant, writer, educator, designer, speaker and organic-food gardener. Her passion is to encourage corporate and social responsibility through her skills as a community-engagement specialist and social-environmental activist. She is a devotee of food that is good, clean, fair, inspired by people making a difference to the environment by voting with their forks. She would love to transform all fast-food
Enjoy our balcony restaurant, intimate dining room and generous bistro food in the pub. With reasonable prices our menu reflects the wonderful local and fresh produce of the region. SMH GOOD PUB Large groups welcome. FOOD GUIDE We also offer off-site catering. 2013 AND 2014 www.bangalowdining.com
SPECIAL $10 LUNCH AND DINNER MENU All your favourites every lunch and dinner Experienced Thai chefs cooking fresh delicious Thai food for you. Fully Licensed and B.Y.O. for wine. Welcome for lunch, dinner and take-away. www.facebook.com/pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
Santé Open 7 Days 12pm till Late 95 Jonson Street, In the Heart of Byron Bay 6685 5009
santerestaurant.com.au
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
Thin Crust Pizzas, Delicious Pastas & Salads Juices & Good Coffee Classic & Modern Cocktails Quality Wines Group bookings & Larger Parties
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Lemongrass Dinner Mon-Sun Lunch on weekdays Closed Tuesdays Shop 3/17 Lawson Arcade Phone orders welcome 6680 8443
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The only exclusively Vietnamese restaurant in town, this intimate space spilling out into a courtyard offers up fabulous dishes packed full of herbs, spices and varied textures. The traditionally light and healthy style of cuisine ensures the freshness and natural tastes of food are preserved as much as possible. It’s a popular spot so bookings are recommended.
Rustic European Cafe • Restaurant • Bar
Breakfast/Lunch: 7 days from 7am Dinner: 7 days from 5.30pm Licensed: To serve drinks at all times without food
11 Marvell Street
Byron Bay 6680 9960 targabyronbay.com
Ginger Pig Breakfast , lunch and dinner 7 days Cnr Marvell and Jonson Sts, Byron Bay 6685 7320 facebook – instagram gingerpigrestaurant.com.au
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BYRON BAY CONTINUED
What sustains us
Recognised as the Best Japanese Restaurant on the Gold Coast in 2013, Benihana maintains its place at the top of the Surfers Paradise must-do dining list with an extensive Japanese banquet menu prepared by entertaining teppanyaki chefs. At Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, a selection of traditional meals is prepared on a teppan hotplate built into each table, creating a stage for Marriott’s highly trained and talented teppanyaki chefs – an exciting dining experience that is ideal for couples, families and groups. Each chef ’s friendly showmanship and aptitude for tricks guarantees the dining experience is unforgettable and, combined with the quality of the cuisine, ensures guests return time after time. A true entertainer, Henry Bongay, head chef at Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, has a real flair for entertaining and has mastered the art of teppanyaki with skills second to none. To the delight of diners, the restaurant is transformed into a stage when the talented chef dons his apron.
Open 8am to midnight Serving food all day from 8am New retro lounge bar Relax and use your FREE Wi-Fi Sit on our deck in the sun all day Live music and DJs: see Echo Gig Guide
The Byron Shire Echo February 18, 2015 19