The
Good Life On-farm restaurant’s sustainable vision
Ʒſşŕ ëƷȜƆ Ǖ ſƆƐ ĕưĕſ ŔëƐƖſĕĎ ƆżĶſĶƐ ƱĶŕƆ īşōĎ ŔĕĎëō ëƐ dşŕĎşŕ żĶſĶƐ !şŔżĕƐĶƐĶşŕ While the Northern Rivers region is well known for its environment and lifestyle, it is also becoming known for the quality of its spirits too, with Byron Bay’s first ever matured spirit recently recognised as amongst the best spirits in the world. Lord Byron Distillery’s Pure Single Rum was awarded a gold medal in the London Spirits Competition in April this year, obtaining a score of 92 out of 100. This score was the highest score for any rum entered from Australia with Lord Byron Distillery being one of only six distilleries in Australia to
achieve a gold medal for any spirit type at this prestigious and highly competitive contest. For more than three years the Restall family have been making spirits at their distillery, located at 4 Banksia Drive in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate. They make a range of spirits, including gin, vodka, rum and liquors that can be tasted in the cellar door between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. While enjoying a drink you can also go on a complimentary tour of the distillery to see how spirits are made naturally and free from the added artificial flavours
and colours present in many mass-produced industrial drinks. Each day there are also gin making and cocktail making masterclasses. ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the news,’ Lord Byron Distillery’s co-founder Brian Restall told The Echo. ‘To be recognised as one of the best rums in the world, amongst a sea of competitors is amazing for our very first barrel ever released. We believe people deserve to know where their drinks come from, and how they are made, and this is recognition that dedication to following artisan food and drink methods can produce a higher quality product than mass-produced industrially made products.’ The cellar door is being extended and converted into a tiki bar, which will open very soon. All locals get a 10 per cent discount on bottle and drink sales at the cellar door if they show their drivers licence with a postcode of 2470 to 2490 inclusive. Lord Byron Distillery 4 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay lordbyrondistillery.com.au
Frida’s Field is an on-farm restaurant based in Nashua, just ten minutes from Bangalow. Hosting three long lunches per week on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – the lunches are a communal feast with a set menu (either omnivore or vegetarian) of multiple dishes shared amongst the members of each booked party. Generally taking around three hours, they commence with sourdough, cultured butter and confit garlic, followed by three starters, then a main dish with three sides, plus dessert. The ‘contemporary country’ menu is carefully curated by Chef Alastair Waddell – threetime winner of The Australian Good Food Guide’s One Hat Award. A Byron Bay resident since 2017, Ally has forged strong connections with many local growers and producers who help him deliver delicious, produce-driven cuisine. The beautiful hinterland views are as much of a drawcard as the delicious food. The restaurant is housed in a modern interpretation of a classic Australian shed, which was architecturally designed to
The on-farm restaurant has beautiful hinterland views. Photos K Holmes. bring the idyllic pastoral views inside – with large openings on three sides of the building so guests feel surrounded by nature while enjoying their meal. Guests often spill out onto the expansive lawn terrace between courses and sit under the towering trees. Opened in September last year, Frida’s Field is the keystone of husband-and-wife team Jeanie Wylie and Edward Rawlings’ goal to create a viable small farm enterprise that can sustain them and their three young children over the long term while transforming the 120-acre property from a blank canvas into a productive, diversified ecological farm. They have a small herd of
Angus-Wagyu cattle, which they manage with holistic principles; a small diversified agroforestry orchard, which they plan to extend; plus the beginnings of a market garden. After seven months of the restaurant operating successfully with amazing support from their customers and team members, the Rawlings are excited to keep pushing their vision forward. As a small family-run enterprise, it is a slow process, but one that they feel grateful to be working on. Frida’s Field restaurant, Nashua. Bookings: fridasfield.com Long lunches every Fri, Sat and Sun.
LOFT BYRON BAY The perfect spot to enjoy a night out in Byron. Relax on the Terrace sipping cocktails, sharing a deli board and oysters. Settle in, graze through the night with an incredible menu by Head Chef Craig Mcfarland. Loft signatures include the Local Sirloin, Market Fish and the Loft Cheeseburger. Open every day from 4pm - Late
Happy Hour - 4PM - 6PM EVERY DAY -
$6
$6
$10
$14
@loftbyronbay
www.echo.net.au
lëƷ Ǭǽ ǩǧǩǨ The Byron Shire Echo 43