The Good Life
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Foxy Luus: Red-light street food A quirky new eatery opens its freshly painted doors in Byron Bay. Foxy Luu’s combines two exciting faces of Asia, ‘pungent, fresh street food’ and ‘sultry red-light district’. Two years ago, a street merchant in Hanoi called Luu inspired the restaurateurs Utku and Leilani for their next food project in Byron Bay. ‘I was wandering around the back streets of Hanoi in the hunt to discover a delicacy and bumped into Luu’s tiny eatery. She was pumping these quons rolls to a long line of locals,’ Utku says excitedly. ‘They were bursting with flavours, fresh and no fuss. Later that day I had a cheeky chat with Luu and found out that she used to be a known prostitute, before her quons changed her life. ‘For me, that moment was raw Asia, and I thought Australia could use a few more of these unpretentious hole-in-the-wall eateries with fresh, fast and affordable food. Since then, Luu and her shop sat at the back of my mind, until we found the little Byron spot in the Woolies carpark and bam! the idea came alive!’ Utku and Leilani own the popular Sefa Kitchen in Bondi and recently joined the wagon of Byron settlers starting a new family. ‘We wanted to slow down and have a more natural lifestyle after a couple years of full-time cheffing and studying nutrition,’ Leilani adds. But then baby Kaio came into the world at the same time the shop’s approval came through, so the couple had to gear up. Leilani did extensive research into Asian street food and has
made most of the menu from scratch. ‘More-ish food, good quality produce and keeping prices low are all super important here, and it’s taken a huge amount of work to get it right even before the doors opened.’ The eatery specialises in pillowsoft Gua Bao buns stuffed with housemade sauces and meats, sweetly pickled veg, Asian herbs and fresh veg, but they also serve up assorted dumplings, bonebroth soups, and papaya and gado gado salads. The place is perfect to grab and go or sit back and admire the art pieces dotted around the tiny space. At night Foxy Luu’s turns in to a grungy hangout joint. The intimate room soaked in red light through the red umbrellas coating the ceiling, and Japanese R&B, take you to a hip hideaway. One wall is covered with retro Asian posters, Mao propaganda mixed with cheesy Asian beer ads, and the murals on the walls are painted by local Mullum artist Daniel Hend. You can BYO bottle of wine from next door and taste a marathon of small bites from juicy prawn and shiitake mushroom beancurd rolls to kaffir lime and coconut panna cotta. Foxy Luu’s. Shop 4A North Byron (Woolies) Plaza, 90 Jonson St, Byron Bay. Next to the bottleshop. Lunch seven days. Dinner Thurs, Fri and Sat. Facebook: Foxy Luus
OPENING FOR LUNCH ON SUNDAYS STOCKPOT KITCHEN Barbecue Smoker Plates Tues – Sat dinner from 5pm Fri – Sun lunch from 12 Thursdays: Southern Fried Chicken $15
21 Byron Bay Rd, Bangalow 6687 2741 www.bangalowbowlo.com.au
Photos Ingrid Pullen Photography. The spectacular mural by Mullum artist Daniel Hend Photo Simon Haslam
VEAL SCALLOPINI
“LE LE" FOCACCIA - 7
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Creamed Celeriac, Lemon, Gremolata
HOUSE MARINATED OLIVES - 7
250G CAPE GRIM RIB EYE FILLET
OYSTERS - 4.5
35
(Served Pink), Mushrooms, Garlic Potato Gratin, Jus
Granny Smith Apple Dressing
SNAPPER
CHICKEN LIVER PATE - 21
Pea Puree, Broccolini, Salsa Of Mint, Apple & Almonds
Sweet Onions, Pistachio, Ciabatta
SPAGHETTI MARINARA
PROSCIUTTO - 27
White Fish, Clams, Mussels, Prawns, Tomato
Salami, Pickles, Olives, Cheese, “Le Le” Focaccia
CHEF'S RISOTTO
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BROCCOLI Almond Cream, Fried Onions
12
ASPARAGUS Truffle Aioli, Aged Parmesan
12
BABY CARROTS Lemon Butter, Thyme Crumble
12
ROAST BABY POTATO Rosemary, Garlic, Olive Oil
9
ICEBERG Sour Cream Dressing, Chives, Macadamia
9
ROCKET & PARMESAN SALAD
9
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Please see Waitstaff for Details
BRUSCHETTA - 16 Crispy Ciabatta, Tomato, Herbs
SPAGHETTI BIANCO
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Shredded Pumpkin, Pea, Pistachio, Sunflower Seeds, Fresh Apple
PENNE in a Porcini Infused Cream Sauce “PENTOLA CALDA”
APPLE CARAMEL ALMOND CAKE - 15 Pistachio Ice Cream
FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE - 15 32
Shredded Beef Cheek, Mushrooms, Peas & Parmesan
Salted Toffee, Peanut Chocolate Mousse, Banana Ice Cream
CRÉME BRULEE - 14
35
TIRAMISU - 14
Braised Chicken Leg & Breast, Siciliana Olives, Red Wine, Tomato, Fregola
“VALERIO” LOCAL BURRATA
24
Pine Nuts, Basil, Zucchini, Tomato Salad
KINGFISH CRUDO
22
Pickled Fennel, Soft Herbs, Lemon Grass
PORK BELLY SLIDER
thebangalowbowlo
“12 HOURS BRAISED BEEF RIB”
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Potato Puree, Caramelised Onions, Thyme Crumble, Jus
LASAGNE of Slow Cooked Lamb
SORBET (3 Scoops) - 12 CHEESE & ACCOMPANIMENTS - 26
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Rich Tomato Sauce, Rocket Salad
12
Apple Slaw, Truffle Aioli
AFFOGATO
PRAWNS
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee & your choice of BAILEYS, FRANGELICO, KAHLUA or AMARETTO
25
Garlic, Chilli, Tomato
18
LEMON MERINGUE PIE ** MAC & CHEESE CROQUETTE Truffle Aioli
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
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No split bills please • Open 7 days from 6pm, Sunday Lunch from Midday (02) 6680 7055 • Facebook & Instagram - @theitalianbyronbay
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Limoncello, Ketel One, Licor 43, Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup ** Cocktail contains Egg White
The Byron Shire Echo September 13, 2017 33