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Cheeky Chopsticks at Cabarita Story and photos by Vivienne Pearson In January of 1963, a developer donated the land that became the site of the Cabarita Beach Bowls & Sports Club. If this doesn’t ring a bell from visits up that way, it’s because the club is hidden away in a residential area. Why might you take the time to seek it out? Well, because it has a newly renovated restaurant serving top-notch Asian food. Cheeky Chopsticks is the name, and there are indeed colourful chopsticks on top of each place-setting. The venue is versatile and can be transformed to accommodate separate smaller functions when celebrations are planned. Downstairs is decidedly ‘club,’ but Cheeky Chopsticks upstairs is all restaurant and has several notable elements that are unusual among club-land restaurants. Firstly, their previous caterer was in-situ for over 20 years and only left because of retirement. Secondly, with that benchmark of continuity and commitment in mind, the new caterers took their community consultation seriously and curated the wine-list from a (very long and enjoyable!) blind tasting session with club members. Thirdly, they take their environmental responsibilities very seriously. ‘Over 96 per cent of food waste is diverted from landfill to compost and worm farms,’ says general manager, Nick
Pictured left to right; Cheeky Chopsticks entrée selection and the king prawns with pumpkin sauce. Brabham. ‘We use paper bags for take-away, instead of plastic, and we have solar panels, timer operated lights and multiple water saving initiatives.’ The menu is extensive, with a focus on both Chinese and Thai dishes. I managed the not-unpleasant sense of overwhelm it created by taking recommendations from Nick. We started with duck pancakes with hoisin sauce, which were as good as any I’ve ever had. We then moved on to king prawns in a pumpkin sauce, which was delicious; warming without
being too spicy, the flavours were rich and the prawns enormous and juicy. In line with attempts to de-festive-season my diet, I eschewed the deep fried ice-cream for black sticky rice with mango and coconut cream – which was a delightful way to end the meal. Nick suspects that it will be northern Byron Shire residents who are more likely to check out Cheeky Chopsticks. My drive from Ocean Shores took just over 20 minutes, and I enjoyed the gorgeous paperbark-forested Clothiers
Good Taste
Eating Out Guide BYRON BAY
BALLINA
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
EVERY MONDAY HALF PRICE PIZZA
Ballina FB/Insta: wharfbarballina 12–24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259
Dine in and take away www.wharfbarballina.com.au
One Green Acre
at The Bangalow Bowlo Restaurant, Events & Catering 21 Byron Bay Road, Bangalow 6687 2741 www.onegreenacre.com.au Open Tue–Sun 12 to 8.30pm Seven Miles Coffee, lunch, dinner, events and catering.
With a menu the whole family will love, One Green Acre is committed to sustainable and ethical food, that is a great price and locally sourced. Specials: Tuesday: Stone and Wood curry night Thursday: Chook night Sunday: Full roast
BILLINUDGEL
billi
The Italian Byron Bay Open 7 days from 6pm Next to the Beach Hotel Bay Street 6680 7055 italianatthepacific.com.au
GREEN ROOM
BANGALOW
indian
Creek Road on the way there, and the Coast Road on the return, with a stop at Norries Head lookout for the view and a post-lunch leg stretch. Cheeky Chopsticks is perfect whether you are keen for a day-trip, want to meet Gold Coast visitors halfway, want to support a business striving for sustainability, or are simply keen to eat some truly delicious Asian food. And the developer who donated the land? He remained a Cabarita Beach local and passed away just last year, at a ripe old age, after nearly 30 years as a life-member of the club.
Billi’s Indian Open Tuesday – Sunday 4.30pm to late Closed Monday 8 Wilfred St, Billinudgel BYO. Credit cards 6680 3352
AUTHENTIC INDIAN RESTAURANT • Chef specials every night • Exciting New Menu • 10% off for seniors every day • Catering available for parties • Vegan and gluten free food available • Complimentary papadams if pre-booked!
BRUNSWICK HEADS
cadeau
Bar & Restaurant 2/26 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads 6685 1111
Bar & Dining in the BEACH HOTEL Tuesday – Sunday From 4pm till late
1 Bay Lane, Byron Bay 6685 6402
Success Thai Mon-Fri lunch & dinner closed Sundays Dinner from 5pm. 3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
St Elmo Dining Room & Bar Mon-Sat: 5pm till late. Sun: 5pm till 10pm. Cnr Fletcher St and Lawson Lane, Byron Bay 6680 7426
The Italian Byron Bay provides a bustling atmospheric restaurant, dishing up contemporary inspired Italian cuisine and some of Byron’s finest cocktails and wines.
Proudly all local $2 Oysters and $12 Cocktails 4–6pm $12 Late Night Macpresso Martini 9–11pm Book a table, up to 20 on the fork. For Functions & Events email events@beachhotel.com.au
All your favourites every lunch and dinner Experienced Thai chefs cooking fresh delicious Thai food for you. BYO only Welcome for lunch, dinner and takeaway. Menus available on Facebook
St Elmo is a place where you can enjoy great company, first-class food, sophisticated cocktails and an extensive wine list. St Elmo is plating up modern Spanish cuisine to be enjoyed amongst friends and family. Our menus change regularly and feature daily specials.
www.stelmodining.com OPENING HOURS Wednesday to Sunday 5pm – 10pm Closed Monday & Tuesday APERITIVO HOUR Had enough of the beach? Dust the sand off your feet and join us for our daily apéro from 5pm – 6pm www.cadeaurestaurant.com.au
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Byron Bay Olive Company
The Byron Bay Olive Company is based at the start of the Industrial estate.
From our kitchen ‘La Cuisine’ we produce the tastiest 2/29 Brigantine St marinated olives, sweet garlic and tapenades according Industrial Estate Open Mon–Sat/9am–4pm to our French family’s recipes. We also offer a range of the best sandwiches in the bay, gourmet cheeses and 0431 842 340 surprising add-ons to liven up your platters! byronbayolivescompany.com
`ëŕƖëſƷ ǩǰǽ ǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 19