The Good Life Heavenly at St Elmo
Sample Lunch a show-starter
Story and photos S Davey With a showcase bar and stylish interior St Elmo is an eatery that delivers cutting-edge tapas. It’s a place that keeps things fresh with ongoing new inclusions on the innovative drinks and food menus. The vibe is smooth and contemporary with a welcoming ambience, candles are dotted around the venue, and the generous sit-at bar is an artful tableau of graphic tiles and congregations of shiny glasses and bottles that reflect the warm lighting. The service is also warm, attentive and well timed. St Elmo’s has an impressive wine list with international and Australian choices, including some that are few and far between. There is a large selection of wines by the glass that change regularly, as well as Spanish and local craft beer. The cocktail menu also adjusts frequently; we tried a special of the night: Herradura reposado made with sriracha bitters, Amaro Montenegro, cracked pepper, and garnished with a candied chilli. Although St Elmo can be a fabulous destination just for drinks you’d be mad to miss the food. The tapas-style menu is designed to be shared and it works between just two people but the more people you dine with, the more dishes you can share. There are some new dishes on the menu including the cerviche, which uses local fish fillet, a citrus dressing, cucumber, coriander, chili and crispy tortilla pieces. The flavours are beautifully balanced in this dish and it is served with a medicinal dropper bottle of Mojo Picante – a sauce that could be referred to as St Elmo’s fire! Also new on the menu is Calabaza; a roast pumpkin dish plated with a textured, cured ricotta pesto, toasted pepitas, super-fresh salad and tasty dressing. Another recent addition to the menu is Setas Chamuscadas consisting of local oyster and portobello mushrooms, Jerusalem artichokes sitting on a bed of cauliflower puree, scattered with
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Story and photo S Davey
peas and migas (fried breadcrumbs); it is a generous dish and with a robust garlic character. St Elmo’s themselves advise that it is a place ‘where food is made to be shared among family and friends’ and our offspring really relished the Arroz con Gambas, a saffron rice dish with seared garlic prawns, crushed peas, herbs and lemon. I was only afforded one mouthful and it was absolutely full of flavour. Everyone enjoyed the Tarta de Chocolate, a hazelnut chocolate custard tart served with crema Catalan sauce, strawberry mousse and hazelnut praline. In a town where a transient clientele of tourists mean that some local restaurant menus remain the same for years, with even the specials on a short rotation, St Elmo keeps it fresh by bringing new plates to the already interesting menu choices. Legend has it that the original Saint Elmo was helped by angels and protects against digestive grievances. From the restaurant you can glimpse into the dynamic kitchen, where the chefs seem to be carrying on the saint’s good work. St Elmo Dining Room & Bar 22 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay Ph: 6680 7426 | stelmodining.com
The Sample Food Festival kicked off in fine form again this year with the Sample Lunch hosted by celebrity chef (and now local bloke) Shannon Bennett and the Vue de Monde team. The four-course set menu showcased locally sourced produce and demonstrated the Vue team’s considerable talents translate to cooking in a tent. A couple of favourite dishes were the mud crab salad with Moreton Bay bug and smoked potatoes as well as the sweet potato and macadamia, although perhaps the most ‘oohs and ahhs’ were awarded to the dessert, a selection of petite sweets that looked very much like real shells, stones, and sand but were all edible and decadent. A friendly Shannon himself visited all the tables and was up for a chat with the punters. He has had a property for a couple of years now in the Bay SER y N VIN OW but has moved here full time a GG few months ago, with children ELA TO y Chai at a local school, it would be y difficult not to ask him to man y Coffee the fundraising sausage sizzle. y Hot Chocolate Shannon did have a hot tip y Milkshakes for a small restaurant that is going to open in Byron Arts & y Chocolates Industry Estate at some stage y Fudge in the future by another highly y Light meals acclaimed chef. Thanks, Shannon Bennett and 1/53 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby the Vue de Monde team for a 0406 422 465 y www.puremeltchocolate.com fantastic lunch!
Chocolate Lounge
Eating Out Guide
Good Taste
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BALLINA
BYRON BAY
Ballina RSL Club
FATHERS DAY AT THE BALLINA RSL CLUB
1 Grant St, Ballina 6681 9500 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Sunday September 2nd Full Buffet Breakfast from 8am. Lunch specials from 12pm.
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
Open 7.30am Daily. Open till late Thurs–Sun Coffee, breakfast, lunch & dinner, functions & weddings. Fully Licensed. 12-24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259 / 6685 6011
NEW WINTER MENU OUT NOW Stay warm this winter with one of our new mouth-watering creations
WharfBarBallina@gmail.com.au www.WharfBarBallina.com.au
BYRON BAY
The Rocks @ Aquarius Breakfast/Lunch 7 days from 7am 16 Lawson St, Byron Bay 6685 7663 – Menus at therocksbyronbay.com.au
NEW WINTER MENU AT THE ROCKS! Join us at The Rocks on Lawson for some winter warmers! We have a range of fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch at affordable prices. Enliven the senses with a Byron Bay Coffee or super healthy smoothie! Enjoy an Ice-cold beer, wine, or hand-crafted cocktail with your meal! Cosy indoor seating and heated outdoor patio space available. $5 SCHOONERS AND $12 COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK
The Hideout Cafe Breakfast and Lunch 7 days a week from 7.30am Shop 6/13 Lawson Street 6680 9300 FB thehideoutbyronbay insta @thehideoutbyronbay
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
Hidden away in Byron’s iconic ‘Eat street’ Bay Lane, The Hideout Cafe and Bar offers indoor, outdoor and deck dining With a fresh, funky, relaxed vibe, generous serves, cruisey staff and 10am licence, come and find us for ‘Byron’s BEST breakfast’ all day… Takeaway available Vegetarian,Vegan and gluten free options available Kids menu
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Success Thai Mon-Fri 12-3pm Dinner 7 days from 5pm. 3/109 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6680 7798 www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
Luscious Foods Mon-Fri 7.30am–3pm Open Friday nights 6–9pm Live music and BYO 1/6 Tasman Way, Byron Arts & Industry Estate BYO & RSVP 6680 8228
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. Contemporary and Middle Eastern flavours • Breakfast and lunch • Wood-fired pizzas • Fresh juices • Great coffee www.lusciousfoods.com.au
Slo-mo Joes
DAILY HAPPY HOUR FROM 3 TILL 5 PM
Open every day From 11am till late Corner of Fletcher St and Bay Lane, Byron Bay
Slow down & chill out! Immerse yourself in Slo-mo Joes relaxing vibes while you enjoy live music & delicious flavours inspired from around the world. There’s something for everyone; from slow-cooked meats to mouth-watering burgers and nutritious salads. Guaranteed to leave you wanting more!
6685 7502 IG - @slomojoes
Main Street Open 7 days 11.30am until late Call to make a reservation or for takeaway orders 18 Jonson Street 6680 8832
Gourmet burgers created by chefs Cocktails, wine and beers served all damn day. Group bookings available, please email mainstreetburgerbar@gmail.com for reservations.
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The Byron Shire Echo September 5, 2018 37