The
Good Life
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El Camino Cantina: BYO burritos No, you don’t have to ‘bring’ your own – we’re talking ‘build’ your own burrito bowls at Tex-Mex local El Camino in Byron. Everyone loves burritos, and in fact, El Camino already have different options in their burrito repertoire to cater for different tastes: the traditional flour tortilla wraps and a healthier burrito ‘bowl’ that comprises an abundance of ingredients served in a bowl, minus the tortilla – but we live in an age that celebrates individualism, and you don’t have to be satisfied with just a few options. Now with their BYO option customers can tailor-make a burrito bowl ($15) to suit their personal cravings. There are three steps to BYO burrito bliss (or potentially a burrito bomb-out, depending on how disconnected from reality your food-combining is on the night): First, pick a protein. There are eight to choose from: grilled adobo chicken, lime and pepper steak, confit portobello, chilli con carne, vegetarian chilli, slow-cooked beef brisket, al pastor pork, and grilled prawns. Guests can double up their protein fix for an additional $5. Second, load the burrito with up to 13 ingredients, spanning: pico
de gallo, pickled jalapenos, pineapple salsa, shaved cabbage, tortilla chips, black beans and red rice. Third, finish it with a choice of three dressings: coriander and lime, blue cheese and mayo, or chipotle ranch – as well as the almost obligatory sour cream and Cheddar cheese. El Camino Cantina culinary director Gabor Denes said a BYO option was the obvious next step for the original burrito bowl, which bursts with avocado, pico de gallo, red cabbage, cucumber, Spanish onion, black beans, corn, tortilla crisps, cheese, and lime and coriander dressing, and can be boosted with protein options, as it is a huge hit with guests. ‘A build your own option is the perfect way for burrito lovers, like me, to create a meal that suits their personal taste. For example, if I’m really hungry and looking to fuel up, I like to create layers of big flavours with ingredients such as six-hour, slow-cooked beef brisket, doused in smoky BBQ sauce, pickled jalapenos, black beans, red rice and corn,’ Gabor says. ‘On the other hand, if I’m looking for a lighter option, I’ll go for something like the smoky-chipotle flavour of grilled adobo
chicken, alongside the traditional Mexican salsa pico de gallo, capsicum, cucumber and coriander.’ Build Your Own burrito bowls are available at all El Camino Cantina locations – including the one with the great balcony at Mercato, overlooking Jonson St. El Camino Cantina. 108-110 Jonson Street, Byron Bay. elcaminocantina.com.au
all the cruise lines, and can explain the benefits of each, as well as having a handy knack for getting good cabins and last-minute deals! I mean, he’s got a pretty good job, hasn’t he? He doesn’t work from an office; rather, he’s one of the new breed of mobile travel consultants and works from his home in Byron. And, he’s very good at it – he’s been nominated for cruise consultant of the year, and was a finalist in mobile agent of the year in 2019. Lance has been in the travel game for over 44 years, and really likes organising expeditions and small ship cruises, particularly to the Sub-Antarctic, the Amazon, the Kimberley, and West Papua.
In fact, right now, his upcoming cruises include a couple that are ideal for small groups (including people who like seeing birds – you’ll see a lot of them in both tours). Along the Amazon tour you’ll not only see Lima and experience its world-famous cuisine, cathedrals and ruins, but you’ll also get to spend plenty of time on the Amazon and its tributaries in a stylish and luxurious 19-berth vessel with private balconies that Lance has chartered for the voyage. Lance will be there, and his partner Peter, as well as a cruise director and local naturalist guides to ensure an unprecedented level of service. You could see up to 400 different birds on the Sub-Antarctic trip – which goes south from New Zealand on the Silver Explorer, together with a fleet of 12 Zodiacs, so you can actually set foot on, and explore off-the-beaten-path islands that are some of the best-preserved environments on the planet. Lance doesn’t just cruise off the map, though, he does it all – he’s very happy to offer advice for your next trip and assist with all travel arrangements, such as airfares, hotels and transfers. For more info contact Lance Mumby – Personal travel navigator. Ph 1300 662 002 | cruisealong.com.au
Don’t let life escape By S Haslam ‘We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us’; a wonderful motto, isn’t it? As we hear about human activities continually affecting our natural environment, there are some wonderfully preserved areas of the world and it’s important to treasure our opportunities to experience them. Did you know that immersing yourself in the rainforest for just three days has been shown to increase positive brain activity for a period long after you return? If you’ve ever met local Byron man, Lance Mumby, you’d appreciate that he’s not the sort of person to let life escape him. He’s travelled to more than 50 countries, and specialises in leading unique small groups. One thing you may not know about Lance is that he is one of the ‘78ers, who organised Sydney’s first MardiGras parade in 1978 as a reminder of the anti-gay Stonewall incidents in 1969. As the owner of Cruisealong, and as a one hundred per cent independent travel manager, he also knows the ins and outs of
Good Taste
Eating Out Guide BYRON BAY
BALLINA
Wharf Bar & Restaurant Ballina FB/Insta: wharfbarballina 12–24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259
EVERY MONDAY HALF PRICE PIZZA Dine in and take away www.wharfbarballina.com.au
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
BRUNSWICK HEADS
cadeau
Bar & Restaurant 2/26 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads 6685 1111
A 5-minute drive from Byron Bay, Barrio brings together the local community Mon–Sat 7am–9pm in a relaxed environment for all-day dining. Wood1 Porter Street, fired oven, charcoal grill, veges, meat, fish, salads, North Byron natural wines, local beers, cocktails and St Ali coffee. No reservations. Bookings Eat in or take-away over 8 email: gather@ www.barriobyronbay.com.au barriobyronbay.com.au @barriobyronbay
Treehouse on Belongil
BANGALOW
One Green Acre
Barrio Eatery & Bar
COMING SOON! Sunday lunch from 12pm every weekend. .... did somebody say Yorkshire pudding and gravy
Full Cocktail & Wine Bar. Extensive Menu Includes Tapas, Mains, Desserts and Famous Woodfired Pizzas. 25 Childe St, Byron Bay 6680 9452
The Italian Byron Bay Open 7 days from 6pm Next to the Beach Hotel Bay Street 6680 7055 italianatthepacific.com.au
Success Thai Mon-Fri lunch & dinner closed Sundays Dinner from 5pm. 3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
24 The Byron Shire Echo DĕćſƖëſƷ ǩǭǽ ǩǧǩǧ
Share plates, mains, desserts and famous Treehouse wood-fired pizza. Our kitchen is open all day and night. Presenting incredible original music in Byron’s most intimate atmosphere. Check our website or Facebook for the gig guide. facebook.com/treehouse.belongil treehouseonbelongil.com
The Italian Byron Bay provides a bustling atmospheric restaurant, dishing up contemporary inspired Italian cuisine and some of Byron’s finest cocktails and wines.
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
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