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PROFILE
Sticky Wicket Bar
Sean’s On The Balcony
Story and photos by Lesley Hannaford and Cristina Sharratt
You would have noticed the changing face of Cocomangas in recent weeks as it evolved into The Sticky Wicket Bar. I’m sure many of you would have darkened the door of Cocomangas over the years. It was a Byron institution and one of the few places in town run successfully by the same owners, Sue and Gary, for more than 20 years. Changing lifestyles and their English/ Canadian backgrounds led them to the idea of the North American-style sports bar with a nod to the British local pub – something a little different for Byron Bay. A place where everyone is welcome to have a drink, eat great food or catch up on national and international sport on a choice of 13 screens. Whatever you follow, chances are they’ll be showing it. If it isn’t, let them know and they’ll put it on. When I went it was Manchester United, ice-cold wine and three really good fish tacos – heaven. And don’t think the food and drink take second place to the action. The Americaninfluenced menu delivers fresh food made daily by head chef Tom Gower – perfect accompaniments to their impressive range of tap and bottled beers, wine and cocktails. Cricket-stump beer taps are a fun touch and the beer menu is unique with Melbourne craft brewers Cricketers Arms and Asahi Black on tap. The legendary Cocomangas Jam Jar cocktails are still available and only $10 during happy hour – Mon–Fri 5–6pm – along with some mighty fine $1 wings.
by Vivienne Pearson
And parents rejoice as kids meals are served with veges if you want a break from their very moreish fries. Add to this some great live music downstairs Weds to Sat – see Echo Gigs for details – and DJs upstairs Friday/Saturday nights from 9pm. And if you want to dust off those skates, get down to the Disco Inferno nights with the amazing DJ Flashdance – Ali May. Q The Sticky Wicket Bar – 32 Jonson St – 6685 8493 – Open 7 days from 12pm.
Who wouldn’t visit Byron Bay as often as they could? For chef Sean Connolly, that’s going to be around twice a month. He’ll be flying in from places as diverse as Auckland, Sydney and Adelaide as he flits around his growing restaurant empire. Sean first visited Byron Bay nearly 30 years ago. ‘I had a camper van and long curly hair,’ he laughs. He was left with the overwhelming impression of Byron being a place ‘famous for being hospitable.’ Sean is now on the giving rather than receiving end of the hospitality divide – this week he is officially launching his newest restaurant venture: The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. He bought the restaurant in October, along with business partner, restaurateur Fraser Short. Since then, they have gradually worked to improve the kitchen and change the menu to ensure all was up to speed before any official launch. ‘We’re now locked and loaded,’ he says, giving strong credit to local chef Glenn Mason, who Sean sees as ‘an extension of me and my recipes.’ The new menu is an ex-
tension of various facets of Sean’s culinary experience. His personal favourite is the lamb shoulder, which, along with his signature dish Duck Fat Fish & Chips (and his still distinctive accent), hark back to his Yorkshire upbringing. He knows that these meals aren’t to everyone’s taste, so has created more of a seafood focus than some of his other restaurants. Further vegetarian dishes are being developed, using the ‘great and inspiring local producers’.
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Sean has a growing taste for raw foods and juices, finding these helpful in balancing the less-healthy eating that can come with a hectic lifestyle. He may have lost his long curly hair and camper van, but Sean clearly has a bit of Byron within.
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Billi Indian In ndian
V EG A FOON & G D A LU T E VAI N F L AB R E LE E
Authentic Aut entic
Indian Restaurant Exciting New Menu OPEN Tuesday– Sunday 5pm to late Closed Monday
CHEF SPECIALS EVERY NIGHT CATERING 10% OFF FOR SENIORS EVERY DAY
Complimentary papadams if pre-booked!
AVAILABLE for parties
8 Wilfred St, Billinudgel • 6680 3352 • BYO • Credit cards
‘A Taste of Asia’ Buffet
Legend Pizza
River St, Ballina Phone 6686 2544 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Friday 4 March from 6pm Spinnakers Adult $23.50, Child 12/U $12, Child Under 5 Free ‘Absolutely 80’s’ Pre-Dinner and Show $53.50 (Pre-Sale Only)
Open 7 days 9am till after midnight Shop 1 Woolworths Plaza 90-96 Jonson Street 6685 5700 www.legendpizza.com.au
Bangalow Dining Rooms
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
Cafe Novella
Hog’s Breath Cafe’s menu just got better with some mouth-watering new steaks, salad, pasta and an abundance of delicious dessert selections. As usual, the diverse menu also offers chicken, seafood, snacks, burgers, ribs, kid’s meals, a range of Lite Options, plus their famous Prime Rib Steak – slow cooked for up to 18 hours for maximum flavour and tenderness. Kids eat free Mon – Wed nights and you can grab lunch for just $9.90, so there’s something to please the whole family.
The Bolt Hole
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Bangalow Hotel Open 7 days Lunch: 12 – 3pm Dinner 5.30 – 9pm All day bistro menu
BYRON BAY
6687 1144
Hog’s Breath Cafe Open 7 Days, 11.30am-2.30pm Dinner from 5.30pm 9/4 Jonson St, Byron Bay 6685 5320 www.hogsbreath.com.au
O-Sushi
O-Sushi – Since 2004
Byron Bay Woolies Plaza, Jonson St 02 6685 7103 Coolangatta The Strand Marine Pde 07 5536 5455 Broadbeach The Oracle, 12 Charles Ave 07 5570 2166 www.osushi.com.au
An award-winning Japanese fusion cuisine Sushi bar, tapas, main meals and delicious chef’s specials
OPEN 7–4 Sun–Tues OPEN 7–LATE Thurs–Sat BYO & TAKEAWAY Bay St opp Main Beach & Surf Club For bookings: 6685 7348
FRESH PIZZA – BYRON STYLE Check us out on
facebook.com/byron. legendpizza Scan code for our menu! BYO Home delivery 7 days
Nights from THURSDAY
BYRON BAY CONTINUED
BALLINA
Ballina RSL Club
BANGALOW
Good Taste Eating Out Guide
Locals specials Fresh Mediterranean inspired dishes Breakfast / lunch / dinner on the deck or TAKEAWAY
We love smoking up an American Barbeque storm on our wood-fired smoker all the way from Kansas, USA. Check out our website for our food menu Refuge, Grog & Barbeque www.thebolthole.com.au. 5pm–Midnight (Mon–Sat) Fancy just a drink? Our bar features 69 whiskeys, 5pm–11pm (Sun) 40 gins, craft cocktails, organic & biodynamic wines 9 Fletcher St, Byron Bay and craft beers in cans. Catch you soon! hello@thebolthole.com.au 6685 8410 PEACE : LOVE : GROG : BBQ
Eat in or take away, licensed, family friendly Outdoor dining area, easy parking, Open 7 days a week, 11am till late.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Byron Shire Echo March 2, 2016 29