to help dog lovers get out and enjoy life with their dog; a key ingredient to good health for dogs and humans alike, so I Love a Dog recently launched their Dog Friendly Directory of beaches and parks, and what’s more the directory team has created a Dog Friendly eateries and bars version, for Byron and Bondi, to help us all emerge from lockdown. I Love A Dog, and all their pooches, will celebrate the Dog Friendly Directory’s official launch and International Dog Day at Wandana Brewery on Sunday, 29 August; for all dog-loving, beer lovers. Dogs are, of course, welcome. They’ll be raising money for the Black Dog Institute. Donna says helping dogs and their humans achieve health and happiness is very fulfilling. ‘My goal is to be that person I wish I could have called, when Ruby was diagnosed with cancer. Every dog we help is part of her legacy.’ Q For more information, visit the I Love A Dog
website: iloveadog.com.au.
Gourmet Mushrooms Story & photo by Kate O’Neill Seven years ago, Gary Miller was commuting three hours a day from Uki to his software programming job in Beenleigh. ‘It was manageable, but when the business moved even further away to the Brisbane CBD, I knew something had to change.’ In between the long commutes Gary had taken a course in mushroom growing, which he immediately took a shine to. Maybe, just maybe, he could make it work… After much trial and error he eventually did make it work; leaving the office to start his own mushroom business, Wollumbin Gourmet Mushrooms. Gary now sells his home grown mushrooms at local farmers markets, including a regular stall at the New Brighton Farmers Market on Tuesdays. He has several varieties, including White Oysters, Shiitakes and Shimeji (year-round);
Gary Miller, of Wollumbin Goumet Mushrooms. Nameko, King Oyster and Native Blues and Greys in winter; and in summer, Pink and Yellow Oysters. Gary also makes grow-at-home mushroom logs.
BYRON BAY
All of Gary’s mushrooms are grown outdoors in the forest at his Uki property, a stark contrast to the way many commercial mushrooms are grown – in highly controlled indoor environments. Gary says just letting nature do the work is his thing. ‘When I first started I didn’t have anything to grow them in, I was trying to make greenhouses and that sort of thing, but nothing worked. In the end I gave up. I took everything out, and threw it down into the forest. Next week I came home from work and they were just everywhere.’ Gary’s method of outdoor cultivation means supply can be highly variable. He says moon cycles, tides, equinoxes and the weather all influence growth, and that’s simply the reality of growing aligned with nature. He says watching mushrooms grow is something he’ll never get tired of. ‘When you go down there into the forest and see them growing and getting bigger, it’s just amazing.’
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Barrio
Barrio’s canteen takes its inspiration from locally sourced produce with Moorish cuisine. 7am–3pm Mon–Thu Offering daily bakes, breakfast cakes, classic 7am–7pm Fri sandwiches, vibrant salads, smoked fish, grilled meats. 1 Porter St, North Byron Aperitif Hours Friday 5–7pm: $10 plates + drinks No reservations. Bookings Private Dining: Now taking private party enquiries for over 8 email: gather@ lunch and dinner with your closest friends: barriobyronbay.com.au gather@barriobyronbay.com.au
Good Taste
Eateries Guide
BALLINA
Wharf Bar & Restaurant Ballina FB/Insta: wharfbarballina 12–24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259
We are thrilled to announce that Wharf restaurant is now open to the public! It is important to us that we support the community as best we can, and do our best to uplift spirits with delicious seafood and welcoming customer service. As part of our reopening, we have also launched a new restaurant and takeaway menu! Book now while tables are still available
Lord Byron Distillery
CELLAR DOOR – TASTINGS & TOURS
Open Tuesday–Saturday 12 noon – 5pm 7, 4 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay 8646 4901
Free from added artificial flavours and colours.
Loft Byron Bay 4 Jonson Street, Byron Bay 6680 9183
Book online: www.loftbyronbay.com.au
BYRON BAY
St Elmo Dining Room & Bar
Open Thursday – Sunday 5 – 10pm Cnr Fletcher St and Lawson Lane, Byron Bay 6680 7426 www.stelmodining.com
Chupacabra Eat in or take out. Shop 12A, 3 Clifford St, Suffolk Park 0448 077 401 www.chupacabra.com.au @chupabyron
Legend Pizza Open 7 days 9am till after midnight Shop 1 Woolworths Plaza 90-96 Jonson Street 6685 5700 www.legendpizza.com.au
Fishheads Byron Bay 1 Jonson Street, Byron Bay 6680 7632 FISHHEADSBYRON
Success Thai
Mon-Fri lunch & dinner closed Sundays Lunch 12 noon–3pm Dinner from 5–8.30pm 3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469
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. Authentic Mexican in a relaxed, fresh and bright atmosphere. This is slow ‘fast food’ with all produce sourced locally. Mexican blend Moonshine coffee by day, margaritas by night, TACOS all day long! Family friendly and specials each night. Coffee: 7am – 11.30am Dinner: 5pm – 9pm Saturday Lunch: 11.30am – 3pm Open Mon – Sat: Closed Sundays
Harvest 18-22 Old Pacific Highway Newrybar NSW 2479 02 6687 2644 www.harvestnewrybar.com.au @harvestnewrybar
The Empire 20 Burringbar St, Mullum
6684 2306
Mon–Fri 8.30am–2.30pm Sat, Sun 9am–2pm FB/Insta: EmpireMullum empiremullum.com.au
facebook.com/byron.legendpizza Scan code for our menu! BYO Home delivery 7 days Established 1992
Menus available on Facebook
www.echo.net.au/byron-echo Byron Shire Echo archives
MAKE YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF GIN
- book online. Gin Making Gift Vouchers available. LORDBYRON.COM.AU LordByronDistillery Incredible cocktails, locals beers & all-day snacks and food to share with ocean views. Happy Hour | Every day 4-6pm $6 Loft Lager or Wine, $10 Aperol Spritz, $12 Margarita Espresso Martini Nights | Every day 9-11pm 2 for $20 Classic Espresso Martini Open every day from 4pm till late.
HARVEST RESTAURANT, DELI + BAKERY Lunch: Thurs – Sun 12–3pm Dinner: Thurs – Sat from 5.30pm 3 courses from the wood-fired oven in the historic bakery Sat + Sun 8–10am: Baked goods at Sourdough Weekends Sunday 3–5pm: Chook Night Deli hours are 8am–4pm
MULLUMBIMBY
Check us out on
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.
Naturally Better!
NEWRYBAR
FRESH PIZZA BYRON STYLE
We are thrilled to announce that Fishheads restaurant is now open to the public! It is important to us that we support the community as best we can, and do our best to uplift spirits with delicious seafood and welcoming customer service. As part of our reopening, we have also launched a new restaurant and take away menu! Book now while tables are still available.
Handcrafted spirits using locally sourced ingredients.
Yaman Mullumbimby 62 Stuart St, Mullumbimby 6684 3778
www.yamanmullumbimby.com.au
Open 7 days from 9am–8pm *Delivery Sun–Fri 4–8PM, Mullumbimby only Free Delivery from $39
The Empire is where it’s at! Something for all tastes from epic burgers to vegan delights. Enjoy delectable treats and good vibes at this Mullum icon. Takeaways and lots of grab-and-go goodies available. Phone orders welcome – call ahead and avoid the queue. Coffee, Malawach Rolls, Pita Pockets, Falafel, Traditional Yemenite spices and all your favourites always freshly made. Drop in for an authentic atmosphere, Takeaway or get it Delivered* to your doorstep.
CATERING
CELEBRATIONS Celebrations Catering By Liz Jackson
BY LIZ JACKSON
Celebration cakes Personal catering services Event co-ordination and management
E: lizzijjackson@gmail.com P: 0414 895 441
`ƖōƷ ǩǩǽ ǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 17