The Good Life
A velvet latte anyone? Story by Vivienne Pearson. Photos by Kirra Pendergast A new addition to the Byron Bay cafe selection is Velvet. Allow murals to be your guide to finding Velvet. The official address is 30 Fletcher Street but its entrance is on the newly signposted William Lane, next door to Nikau homewares. There
Advertising enquiries: adcopy@echo.net.au | 6684 1777 Editorial enquiries: goodlife@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au/good-life is a laneway mural of a rainbow girl with her guitar on the wall opposite. Once you’ve arrived, you will be captivated by another mural of a girl; this time on the inside wall of the cafe, of a girl diving through the cool blue water *. Once you’ve drunk your fill of the murals, you can drink your fill of coffee. Don’t be put off by the seeming absence of a coffee machine – Velvet has only the seventh Modbar in Australia, an espresso machine where most of the hardware is hidden under the bench. ‘It’s fairly new in Australia,’ says Tom Beaumont, general manager of Larmazocco who distribute Modbar. ‘It’s been in the USA for three years and has only recently launched into other countries.’ Chef and barista Valeria (‘Vee’) Feckes is excited to be working on the Modbar. ‘It adds extra connectedness between you and the customers,’ says Vee. ‘Normally the barista is behind a machine, but here the customers can see the coffee pouring.’ Using Axil Roasters coffee, a varying single-origin coffee will be offered each week alongside the usual blend. The menu is light, bright and healthy, with a variety of salads, smoothies, nourish bowls, wraps and quick bites. Breakfast options include crushed-dukkah rolled eggs and overnight chai-spiced oats.
For co-owner Annie O’Rourke Velvet epitomises what attracted her to this area. Formerly a communications adviser in the political world of Canberra and now also owner of Byron Bay communications agency 89 Degrees East, Annie made a seachange as part of a conscious decision to change her life. ‘It was a very busy, full-on life and I wanted to change,’ she says. One of her favourite things to do in the area is have a picnic at The Pass or Wategos. This inspired the creation of Velvet’s Picnic Baskets, which can be ordered ahead and picked up for a picnic with a minimum of effort. ‘We’ve had lots of interest already even though we haven’t really promoted them yet,’ says Annie. Visit for the coffee, the food, or to pick up a picnic basket. And don’t forget to try a Velvet Latte! * If you are very quick, there is still time to enter Velvet’s opening competition by writing a short story about the girl in the Velvet mural. Entries close Friday 8 Sept, details on website. Velvet Byron: 3/30 Fletcher Street (just down William Lane), Byron Bay. Mon–Fri 6am–4pm, Sat 7am–4pm www. velvetbyronbay.com
Velvet Beetroot Latte (pictured left). Vee Feckes adds the finishing touches to a Tumeric Latte (pictured right).
Good Taste
Eating Out Guide echo.net.au/good-taste
BALLINA
BYRON BAY
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Ballina RSL Club
New Menu Out Next Week!
Fishheads
River St, Ballina 6681 9500 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Some of our new dishes include... Charred miso and soy duck breast Slow cooked Moroccan lamb shank Smoked Argentinian sticky pork ribs Prawn poki bowl Zucchini, pea, mint and feta fritters
7:30am till late Coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, functions and weddings. Fully licensed. 1 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7632
Success Thai
BYRON BAY
Targa Modern European Cafe • Restaurant • Bar 11 Marvell Street
Breakfast & Lunch: 7 Days Afternoon Share Food: from 2.30pm Tues to Sat Dinner: from 5.30pm Tues to Sat APERITIVO AFTERNOONS $12 Cocktails, $7 beers, $8 wines 4–6pm Tuesday–Saturday 1.30–2.30pm Sundays
Byron Bay 6680 9960 targabyronbay.com targabyronbay@gmail.com
Fathers Day Live Jazz from 12.30pm
Trattoria Basiloco Open Wed to Mon from 5.30pm Closed on Tuesdays See menu, book a table, or order takeaway at www.basilo.co 30 Lawson St, Byron Bay 6680 8818
The Rocks @ Aquarius Breakfast/Lunch 7 days from 7am 16 Lawson St, Byron Bay Reservations 6685 7663 therocksbyronbay.com.au
Wood-fired pizzas & real Italian cuisine with a Sardinian twist Famous for seafood, meats and pasta dishes. We do special events functions.
The Rocks @ Aquarius has been beautifully renovated, and boasts a wide array of locally sourced brekky dishes, Byron Bay Coffee and fresh juices and smoothies to enliven the senses and prepare you for the day ahead. Late riser? Join us for lunch 12–2pm, when you can grab a selection of burgers, salads, fresh rolls. Here at The Rocks, we are a fully licensed cafe, which means you can enjoy an ice-cold beer, a sumptuous wine or a handcrafted cocktail with your meal!
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Mon-Fri 12-3pm Dinner 7 days from 5pm. 3/109 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7798 www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
Jonsons Restaurant Bar
SENSATIONAL SEAFOOD *BEACHFRONT DINING* Open seven days Group bookings welcome functions@fishheadsbyron.com.au www.fishheadsbyron.com.au
SPECIAL $12 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. The place to be seen
111 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6685 6754
Join us and experience one of our diverse spaces Streetside, hidden garden, plush indoor hub or our window bar Mouthwatering food & creative cocktails
IG - @Jonsonsrestaurantbar FB - Jonsonsrestaurantbar
BREAKFAST – LUNCH – DINNER Hours: 6.30am – late, 7 days (Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday)
Slo-Mo Joes Open 6 days Tues–Thurs all day 11am–10pm Fri–Sun all day 8am–10pm Bay Lane (at Fletcher St end), Byron Bay 6685 7502
Now serving beer, wine, cocktails and great bar menu of ribs, wings and sliders - From 11am Plus our fresh, healthy, slow-cooked soups and meals to eat here or take home Life is short – lick the bowl For meat lovers and vege/ vegans too!
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