Food Wine Sleep

One of Byron Bay’s top chefs, Tippi Heng, is no stranger to the culinary delights of Asia. With a colourful mix of Laos, Chinese and Thai ancestry, he jokingly refers to himself as a ‘Lao-sy-Chinese‘. But it’s no joke that he’s been cooking up a storm for the past 15 years, garnering a local following as enthusiastic as his dishes are spicy.

We had a chance to catch up with Tippi recently, whose soft, understated demeanour and ready smile made us feel right at home. He revealed to us that he began his chef’s ‘training’ when he was a mere five years old, helping his mum to grind spices and prep veggies in their traditional home in Laos. Unlike his siblings, Tippi found his feet in the kitchen, rapidly displaying a culinary precociousness that would later take him far and wide.

Fast forward nearly two decades and several adventures later and you will find him in his restaurant, the Orient Express, located on Fletcher Street, one block over from the Beach Hotel. Orient Express is a casual, yet warm and inviting eatery featuring some of the best modern Asian cuisine in Byron Bay. On the walls you can spot his original ink brush paintings that flow from the same well of creativity and inspiration as the ‘harmony of flavours’ in his food.

One dish that seems to have found such inspiration is the Crab Salad a towering and mouth-watering dish combining rich green avocado and tangy mango on a slab of sushi rice, layered with crab meat drizzled with Miso dressing, sprinkled with four kinds of seaweed all frolicking among razor thin slices of cucumber and spicy wasabi mayonnaise.

It was exactly as head waiter, Rohan described – “a harmony in texture and contrast in flavour.” Accompanied by a dewy glass of Marlborough Pinot Gris, it was a perfect blend of yin and yang.

Also recommended is the Laos crunchy rice salad entrée. It’s a different kind of dish that weaves the texture of crunchy fried rice dumplings with a piquant mixture of lime, smoked chilli and cilantro that will definitely keep your fork busy.

The wide ranging menu also includes traditional dishes such as Vietnamese Pho, mouth watering delights such Crispy Chicken with Tomato Relish or Seared Pepper-Crusted Tuna; duck, seafood, and pork dishes, as well as several vegetarian temptations.

My partner was seduced by something more simple and traditional – Laksa. Yes, perhaps a peasant dish, nothing you could not imagine picking up at a corner shop on the way home from work in a paper cup, but this was not just any Laksa, it was Tippi Heng’s Laksa. The flavours rich, with the right amount of noodles and vegies lazing together with fresh prawns in a rich sambal-coconut soup and topped with smoked chillies, which added a great nuance and their fair share of heat to the meal. I tasted it once and could not resist sneaking a few more spoon-full’s.

Generosity is one of Tippi’s trademarks and shows in the portions served. Tippi gives through his food, which is his passion, his life and his art. As Tippi says, “For me, preparing food is not just about cooking and eating, it has a much deeper and more intimate meaning. It is about generosity, hospitality and friendship.”

In keeping with that spirit, we finished off our evening with a generous slice of mocha tart set on molten chocolate with a mountain peak of choc- vanilla ice cream towering over it like the contrasting elements of nature but far more delicious! Also hard to resist was the honey comb semi-fredo with mixed berries and brandy snaps, which rounded our culinary ride on the Orient Express off perfectly.

Orient Express Byron Bay is open 7 days and booking is advised. Living here, I often get to hear ‘You’re so lucky to live in Byron Bay’. When I hear this, I think of the great food and hospitality that Tippi serves up and I smilingly agree. Check out www.orientexpressbyronbay.com when you are next in the Bay.

Reviewed and written by Erik Bigalk www.ErikBigalk.com

Orient Express Byron Bay

Orient Express Byron Bay

We had been talking about a weekend away for some time and with the summer being what is was on the North Coast, we thought we’d re-visit my old stomping ground – the Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road and of course St Kilda, my favourite Melbourne spot to hang out.

With only a few days to spare and a break from everyday things like the kids and work we quickly packed a couple of bags, grabbed the camera and my notebook  and we headed off to Melbourne.

As you will read here for yourself, it turned out to be a trip of indulgence, different flavours and a myriad of sounds, sights and places that left us savouring the trip for quite some time after our return.

A getaway, I can only recommend to anyone – only with a few extra days to spare…

St. Kilda

Our first stop was St. Kilda, the soulful and historic inner suburb on the Bay, favoured by artists, musicians and lifestylers alike – the Byron Bay of Melbourne. The vibrant, bohemian-flavoured hub bustling with restaurants, cafes, galleries, shops, nightlife and a big local music scene, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe, just like it did us.

Located only 6 km from Melbourne’s CBD, it lies in close proximity to some of Melbourne’s best beaches and is home to well-known tourist attractions such as Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel and the Botanic Gardens among others.

We arrived at dusk, just in time to tuck into a few of our fav drinks at ‘The St. Kilda Branch’, the local’s hang-out, located just across from Acland Street – a favourite destination of Melbournians and tourists alike for its quirky interior with beer-keg stools, decent sized meals and a great selection of beers. It sure stands out from the many bars, eateries and the first-rate cake shops that line the St Kilda streets.

After our drinks, we sauntered up the street and dived into some classic Northern Indian fare at Tandoori Times – crispy pappadums, tandoori chicken, and my all-time vegetarian favourite –saag paneer laced with some seriously spicy and mouth-watering ‘achar’ (Indian mixed pickle) on the side.

Thanks to Roomorama booking service (www.roomorama.com), we were only a few blocks away from the action in our ‘home away from home’, the Espresso Apartments on Barkly street. Our modern and well-appointed two-bedroom apartment was the perfect hideaway, fully secure with underground parking, and literally just steps away from all the St. Kilda action. [Rating 4 out of 5 pillows]

Although we had only planned for a brief stop, we could have easily spent a week here exploring all the sights and sounds of this lively and colourful town. My recommendation – allow for some extra time to really soak this place up…  and ease into the local vibe and culture.

Lord of the Fries

The next day we popped into the ‘Lord of the Fries’ fast food restaurant in downtown Melbourne.

The brainchild of Mandy and Mark Walker, the ‘Lord of the Fries’ restaurant, upon first inspection, does not appear much different from your average fast food joint. Nor does the large illuminated menu above the counter provide any clues either, offering a standard selection of burgers, hot dogs, nuggets, chips and onion rings.

But that is where appearances deceive.

Because each and every burger, hot dog and nugget served up at LOTF is 100% meatless, vegetarian, planet-friendly, and cruelty-free. That’s right, their fast food fare is 100% soy-based vegetarian, and they even offer vegan choices as well.

But what about taste, you ask?

I am pleased to report that my burger, nestled between an optional multi-grain bun, topped with pickles, mayo and mustard -looked, tasted, and smelled like the real deal (if not better); in other words, it was delicious. LOTF also offers a wide variety of dipping sauces to go with each burger, including Thai, Indian, Belgian and more.

In addition to being meatless, LOTF uses only preservative-free and fresh ingredients – living up to their motto of ‘We Care A Lot’. And with their authentic burger taste, LOTF might even convert the most hardcore carnivore. Definitely the healthiest ‘fast food’ I’ve ever had… [Rating 4 out of 5 Fast-Food]

Moonlight Escape

Switching gears a bit, we found ourselves on the road again, this time heading to luxury accommodation ‘Moonlight Escape’, located along Victoria’s Great Ocean Read. This area is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful and rugged coastline, including the world-renowned Twelve Apostles.

Moonlight Escape was designed by internationally famed Australian architect Glenn Murcott and is one of the only Murcott designed structures accessible to the public. From the passive solar design, glowing floor lights and European furniture to the premium sound system, staying at Moonlight Escape was a bit like stepping into our own private futuristic hideaway, complete with kangaroos outside the bedroom window.

Our own personal chef prepared dinner for us in-house, consisting of tender leg of lamb, roasted potatoes and asparagus, topped off by a sumptuous Pavlova for dessert. Afterwards, we cozied up to the large fireplace to enjoy yet more local wine and cheese, then later, we fell asleep in the luxurious Savoir bed (one of only a few in Australia), the stars winking at us in the distance.

Moonlight Escape is this luxurious oasis among the coastal bush and picturesque coastline, tucked away and is undoubtedly the best accommodation that you could find in this neck of the woods…  so to speak. www.MoonlightEscape.com.au. [Rating – 4 out of 5 pillows]

Babalu’s

The next leg of our trip took us right along the Great Ocean Road, winding its way between rough seas crashing on rocks and surf beaches, and the dense Otway bush that climbs the steep slopes. Picturesque and a road you definitely need booth eyes on the road on, it took us through the quaint seaside town of Lorne, a long time favourite getaway spot for city dwellers. We stopped for a quick re-fuel at Ba Balu Bar which came highly recommended, as a casual al fresco tapas cafe popular among the locals (and visitors) for its authentic tapas menu, fresh seafood and relaxed atmosphere.

Their specialty is the seafood Paella, which is cooked outdoors every Sunday at 7 pm. Another favourite is the Peruvian style snapper starter, seasoned with fresh lime juice, coriander and chilli, accompanied by cerviche, sweet potato and corn. Or how about some char grilled Spanish sausage with onion jam, slow cooked Mexican style chicken casserole, or Ecuadorian prawn?

With daily local seafood and an expansive, ever changing menu serving up the authentic flavours of Latin America, Ba Balu Bar will please even the most discriminating palate. It is set near the park and foreshore at the eastern end of town, offers good parking and caters well for vegetarians too. If not for the quaint tourist town or the beach itself, Ba Balu Bar is worth stopping at or driving to Lorne for. [Rating – 3 out of 5 Forks]

Queenscliff

Later that evening we stopped into the historic seaside town of Queenscliff, located on the Bellarine Peninsula. It’s a small town with this yesteryear feel, with a defence and maritime history dating back to 1850, and many of its buildings have remained relatively unchanged since that time. One of these beautiful, historic buildings is the Vue Grand Hotel, one of Victoria’s leading venues for accommodation, weddings and conferences. Built in 1866, it offers a variety of rooms and suites to meet but every need and budgets. We spent a comfortable night in the Tower Suite, luxuriating in our own personal spa tub, enjoying a nice view of the ocean the next morning.

While the Vue Grand has retained many of the olden day features (like no lift), it has embraced some of today’s luxuries, which gave our 1900’s room a twist of the new with its modern double shower ensuite and oversized bath tub set in the middle of the room. The massive bed let us fall into the best night sleep after a day of driving too many windy roads… [Rating 3 out of 5 Pillows]

Elkhorn Road House

With our luggage and appetites in tow, we sped off to the popular (award-winning) Elkhorn Road House restaurant in Wallington. This charming, homey country café is a treasure trove of handmade goodies including jams, tomato chutney, cranberry granola, gifts, country wares and more. But as we quickly discovered, the real treasure is in the food.

Specializing in generously portioned, reasonably-priced home-style food, it is a favourite for locals and travellers alike for their outstanding breakfasts and a la carte lunches. With a menu featuring items such as organic Zeally Bay sourdough toast, Moriac free range eggs, Istra bacon and pork sausage, corn fritters with goats cheese fettina, waffles with berry coulis, and handmade chicken pot pies, we had a very hard time deciding.

The sourdough toast was unusually good – crunchy and chewy, something I could really sink my teeth into.  Along with my poached egg with spinach and hollandaise, it was an authentic, down-home breakfast I won’t forget anytime soon. Add to this the relaxed atmosphere of the garden setting, genuine friendly service and a commitment to local, organic and well concocted flavours that seems to be carried by all – owners and staff alike, it is not surprising that Elkhorn has already collected a number of industry awards and has been highlighted in The Age’s food guide. Well worth the drive any day! [Rating 3 out of 5 Forks]

Heirloom

As if the exceptional breakfast wasn’t enough, we finished up our gastronomic tour back where we started – in the heart of downtown Melbourne, this time at the Heirloom restaurant for a late lunch.

Specializing in Japanese-French fusion cuisine, the Heirloom is an aesthetic experience as pleasing to the eye as the palate, the interior reminiscent of a large, many-faceted, sparkling piece of origami.

We started with Slow Roast Duck Gyoza. A dish traditionally made with pork, the duck was an interesting twist, adding the “fusion” that is the Heirloom signature. The Beetroot and Vodka Soused Rainbow Trout was more akin to a salad, with the yogurt pearls adding a rather fascinating visual mystery.

The Rare Seared Yellow Fin Tuna was a tad overdone, probably due to a miscommunication with our waiter, but was beautifully presented with white anchovy tempura, laced with a very unusual black olive crumb and gel.

The menu at Heirloom is intriguing to say the least. I was presented with gustatory combinations never before pondered, let alone tasted. So if you are looking for a truly sumptuous, exotic, and adventurous dining experience, Heirloom in downtown Melbourne is a great place to visit.

As suited for a scrumptious lunch in between meetings, as for a few sensational dishes intercepting your favourite cocktails after work or to impress him/her or a whole group of game diners, the experience is likely to linger on – as the name suggests. [Rating 4 out of 5 Chop Sticks]

Tried, tested and experienced – then written about by Erik Bigalk, freelance writer/photographer and tourism/hospitality reviewer – www.ErikBigalk.com

Heirloom

Elkhorn Road House

The Naked Turtle

The name of this delightful eatery conjures up images of surf and sea and the view from the breezy outside patio does not disappoint. Situated directly opposite Kings Beach at Caloundra, the Naked Turtle offers an enjoyable balance of mouth-watering flavours, ambiance and an attentive and caring staff who will look after your every need.

Owned and run by a close-knit family originally from Geelong, they and their friendly staff strive to uphold the highest standards in customer service and great food.

Speaking of great food, I started with the garlic prawns entree. Set on a springy bed of seaweed and sprouts, dressed in a creamy, piquant sauce hinting of fresh coconut and lime, this dish was a swirl of complimentary flavours that simply melted in my mouth and between my wife and me, disappeared quickly!

For our mains, the generously sized grilled salmon came served on a bed of crisply steamed baby asparagus and velvety potato rostie, drizzled with a lemony-luscious hollandaise sauce which got our mouths watering. The fish was moist and flaky and the blend of flavours created perfection on a plate.

Not to be outdone, the Filet Mignon with portabello mushrooms was tender, sweet and juicy and perfectly seared to my request of medium-rare, accompanied with a full bodied glass of Scotsman’s Hill red.

Last but not least, we shared a serving of the Naked Turtle’s award-winning sorbet, strawberry in our case, which between the two of us melted quickly in our mouths.

We chatted with the Naked Turtle’s proprietor, Simon Krefts, after our meal. “Customer service is our highest priority”, he told us. “People have a lot of choices when it comes to eating out. We want to ensure that not only do people truly have a great experience eating with us but that they will want to come back.”

Judging by the many tables filled with smiling customers that evening, the sounds of their happy chatter mingling with the candlelight and cool night air, I think the Naked Turtle team is hitting the mark.
We walked away from our experience at the Naked Turtle not only full and satisfied but with a sense of having been completely nurtured. My Rating: four out of five forks.

Shearwater Holiday Resort

The stylish 4.5-Star Shearwater Holiday Resort was the perfect place to stay at Caloundra. With a bird eye’s view of King’s Beach, it is not only a place to relax and let your hair down but is conveniently located to the many attractions nearby, including a plethora of restaurants, pubs and the well designed foreshore water feature, pool, park and entertainment stage.

Our self-contained apartment was appointed with tasteful, modern and clean furnishings, which made us feel right at home as soon as we stepped in the door. The kitchen featured a spacious marble countertop and was stocked with an abundance of cookware and dishes, allowing us to cook our own meals.

The view from our balcony in the morning was stunning, as we gazed at the shimmering blue waters of King’s Beach, the sound of children playing in the surf drifting to our ears as we lazily sipped our morning coffee. What better way to start one’s day?

The Shearwater also features recreational facilities including a heated pool, spa, children’s wading pool, gymnasium and games room and a well designed conference and function centre, all just a 50 meter stroll from the patrolled surf beach.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Shearwater Resort. It is a home away from home when staying on the Sunshine Coast and will leave you with a feeling of true relaxation. Well suited for a romantic get-away or to bring the whole family for a good dose of R & R. My Rating: four out of five pillows.

For more details on these great spots, log onto http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Naked-Turtle/150813044935024 or www.ShearwaterResort.com.au

Reviewed and written by Erik Bigalk http://www.erikbigalk.com/

The Naked Turtle

Shearwater Holiday Resort