The Good Life
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Cool place: Diner 55
Idealistic vegan ice-cream
By S Haslam
By S Haslam
It’s been 11 months since front-of-house Lara Brauer and chef Adam James saw the opportunity to sell their Mullumbimby cafe Punch and Daisy and take over the Poinciana in Mullumbimby shortly before Christmas 2017. They have turned it into Diner 55, a bar and casual diner-style restaurant right at the entrance to the town centre. Since then, while retaining the low-key and relaxed vibe of the venue, they have given a light, modern feel to the bar and deck overlooking the spacious, outdoor, treed garden area. And, although the blues artefacts gathered by Bluesfest co-founder Keven Oxford have long gone, the venue retains its strong connection to music, being one of the venues for the iconic Mullumbimby Music Festival, as well as being a wonderful place to have a drink and listen to live music on any given night. The space is generous for large groups and events, and there are monthly musical treats like the Barefoot Beats event and Diner 55’s new monthly event, Boogie Train. Mullumbimby has remained relatively immune from the worst pretentiousness of Byron, but don’t be deceived by its low-key dress code. This is a relaxed joint that does it right; bartenders will whip you up a handmade cocktail, or if it’s not too busy they’ll even whip up one from a previous cocktail menu. The excellent cocktails combined with American-style eats and bar snacks
produced by chef Adam (who has worked in a range of Michelin-starred restaurants) make it easy to slip into a pleasant other-worldly atmosphere of drinks and conversation in this venue where the covered areas open up easily into the warm evenings. ‘As the name and style suggest, we wanted to bring an element of fun to the town,’ says Lara, ‘and provide another watering hole apart from our beloved Australian pubs. We wanted to create a space where locals and families could dine at ease with their children, and have access to great quality food, great, wine and cocktails.’ Personally, I love the cocktails on the deck, and for me the vegetarian omelette and sourdough, and the mushroom burger with slaw, are both standout dishes (and of course burgers taste pretty good with cold beer on a warm day). ‘Our food was always designed to be simple and accessible, with a combination of vegan, vegetarian and meat-lover favourites,’ says Adam. Diner 55 offers a tasty choice of American-style dishes in smaller plates, larger plates and sides, so you can order a single dish and be done or share a large dish, add some fresh, pickled or fried sides or order anywhere in between. The menu includes roasted turmeric cauliflower, charred corncob, blackened broccolini, slow-cooked lamb ribs and truffled mac ’n’ cheese. Diner 55. 55 Station St, Mullumbimby 6684 6515 or www.diner55.com
vegan ice-cream kitchen in the Byron Food Hub in February 2018, Cat finally It doesn’t just look delihas the ability to keep cious on Instagram; the Yumbar vegan ice-cream up with demand and bar is actually a product so supply more stores that has a real, healthy nationwide. Byron heart. It is made in But Cat does not the centre of the Shire by reduce the essential Cat Mcleod, who moved elements for the sustainas an artist from Sydney ability of her company to this alternative comto matters of demand and supply. ‘Our foundamunity 25 years ago. 100 per cent plant-based, tions are built on love, The sprouting, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, dedication, friendship wheatgrass-juicing, dairy-free, raw, vegan ice-cream and loyalty,’ she says. teepee-living, almondsandwich ‘That’s what’s essential. milk-making Cat (known Our mission is simple… as Kitty online) produced her first vegan ice-cream sandwich for sale to make the best vegan ice-cream on the planet while keeping a love for all beings at the Uki Market in 2012. as the ultimate goal.’ The transition from home-based busiMore info: Facebook, web, ness to commercial supply is always a big Insta @YUMBAR.CO leap, but having moved to a purpose-built
Good Taste
Going back to the court house would normally be a punishment, but not when it’s the restaurant at the Court House Hotel. Run by Michael Coy, the Court House Restaurant has seen some changes to the menu and décor, with new greenery, copper, and window seating. Michael is not looking to compete with the super-low prices at other local venues. ‘We are not the RSL and we’re not the Middle Pub,’ he says. ‘That’s the gun I’ve stuck to for six years.’ The refreshed menu focuses on fresh, quality meals with more seasonal variation. Even the Pub Classics show Michael’s 5-star cheffing training, with organic Sol bread used for burger buns and herb chat potatoes the standard side (don’t worry, chips are available on request). Vegans and those who eat gluten-free are clearly catered for. New food trends feature, with hemp seeds used in the roasted beetroot salad and poké bowls with either raw tuna or tofu. The restaurant is run separately from the hotel. Michael’s business is Mix Catering (get it – Mick’s/Mix?) and he also offers catering at The Mullum Leagues Club and other venues as well as in-house private
cheffing. Mix Catering also has a vintage food van called Little Bonnie Dot. ‘We did a surprise wedding at the Bruns Picture House recently,’ says Michael. ‘It was under the guise of a 55th birthday party and, when the guests arrived, the couple turned around the Happy Birthday balloons to show the words ‘Getting Married’. One of my staff members, who also thought it was a birthday party, burst into tears!’ Groups are also more than welcome at the Court House. Groups of up to 30 have the option to simply order from the menu like regular patrons or, like groups of more than 30, can arrange a set catering menu. If you are in Mullum for the music festival this weekend, pop into the Court House for both the music and the food. ‘We’ll be doing a special festival menu,’ says Michael. ‘Burgers, salads and tacos – basically anything you can eat standing up!’ Forget standing in the dock of a court house; standing up at a gig with a quality burger in hand sounds like a great way to spend a weekend. The Court House Restaurant at The Court House Hotel, cnr Burringbar & Dalley Sts, Mullumbimby. Open 7 days, 11.30–2 and 5.30–8-ish. Ph: 6684 1550, Facebook: @Courthouse Restaurant
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BALLINA
Ballina RSL Club
Terrace Sessions
1 Grant St, Ballina 6681 9500 www.ballinarsl.com.au Open 7 Days Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
Every Friday & Saturday Night 7.30pm to 10.30pm Free Live Music Share Plate Specials $9 Cocktails - 8pm to 9pm Beer and Wine of the Week Beverage Tasting
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
TAKEAWAY WOOD FIRED PIZZAS Or dine in & enjoy live music Friday, Saturday & Sunday with our NEW range of Wood Fired Pizzas WharfBarBallina@gmail.com.au www.WharfBarBallina.com.au
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
Back to the court house By Vivienne Pearson
Eating Out Guide
BRUNSWICK HEADS
The Kingswood Open from midday till late takeaway, lunch & dinner 6 days a week (closed Tues) 2/26 Mullumbimbi St, Brunswick Heads 6685 1111
• natural, biodynamic & organic wines • coastal kitchen • craft beer • caffeine • picnic boxes • the river & you the.kingswood thekingswoodbrunswickheads www.thekingswood.com.au
BYRON BAY
Byron at Byron 77–97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay 6639 2111 thebyronatbyron.com.au
Chupacabra Eat in or take out. Shop 12A, 3 Clifford St, Suffolk Park 0448 077 401 www.chupacabra.com.au @chupabyron
Thoughtful menu reflecting the region, the seasons and the climate. Elegant dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner, or cocktails on the verandah overlooking the rainforest. Open seven days: breakfast, lunch & dinner Thursday Farmers Market Dinner 2 courses $52 per person Tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, fresh and bright atmosphere. This is slow ‘fast food’ with all produce sourced locally. Margarita cocktails, Oaxacan mezcal, micheladas and Mexican blend Moonshine coffee. Coffee and breakfast 6.30–11.30am Lunch 11.30am–3pm Dinner Tues–Sat 5–9pm Sunday long brunch 10am–5pm
Continued over… mşưĕŔćĕſ Ǩǫǽ ǩǧǨǯ The Byron Shire Echo 39