Jess Kearney
REVIEW
Wine first. That’s the philosophy in this dim but rollicking Parisian-style joint on the south side of Byron Bay, where the menu isn’t handed over until you’ve chosen your first drink. Rest assured that every dish on that subsequent menu – from the opening crunch of crisp potato, Manchego cream and shaved local mushrooms, to the deeply satisfying bowl of pippies in buttery, pearlescent chicken broth – is built to harmonise with every drop on wine importers/co-owners James Audas and Tom Sheer’s heaving list of vin naturel. Chef Ollie Wong-Hee’s classic training manifests in rich bisques and emulsified sauces, while his Chinese heritage and interest in Southeast Asian cuisine glows in the knockout take on chả lá lốt: a bullet of grilled pork wrapped in a betel leaf with lettuce, pickles and charred pineapple-chilli sauce. Like most of the dishes, it’s easily eaten with one hand, so you never have to put down your glass.
ABOUT
Bar Heather
Contemporary
G09 Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay
0400 444 944
Chef Ollie Wong-Hee
Price guide $
Bookings Recommended
Wheelchair access Yes
Open Dinner Tue-Sat
This review was written independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way. To learn more about the process, head over here.
Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Guide
Our guide gives a yearly snapshot of the best restaurants to eat at right now. The best-rated restaurants, as judged by the reviewers’ first-hand experience, form our national guide.
