The 3 stages of iGrief…

by Nick on January 29, 2010

Here’s my thoughts about Apple’s new iPad…

The 3 stages of iGrief.

Stage 1) iMad – (anger) it’s just a glorified pdf reader.

Stage 2) iSad – (depression) no camera, no isight, no voice calls.

Stage 3) iGlad – (acceptance) thank god they’re not available yet, so I didn’t make a crappy impulse buy.

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Byron Bay Farmers Market

by Nick on September 25, 2009

The Byron Bay Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 8am to 11am. It is a favourite with the residents of Byron Bay and the surrounding areas.

If you are visiting Byron Bay, it’s just quick 5 minute walk from the centre town, so come on over.

Now that spring has well and truly arrived, the produce is plentiful, fresh and delicious.

While all of the stalls have something great to offer, I’ll show you a few of my favourites.

The Gourmet Salad Hut at Byron Bay Farmers Market

The Gourmet Salad Hut at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Let’s start with huge clumps of pungent fresh basil.

Currently only $2.00 for a massive bunch (you will never find it this fresh and generous in a supermarket).

The Gourmet Salad Hut has a huge variety of salad greens and herbs.

Get in early – they sell out fast!

I love to make a lasagne with the fresh basil, and the aroma from the kitchen is divine.

Next on my list is Hayters Hill Farm for meats and and fresh eggs.

They have a great choice of veal, steaks, mince and gourmet sausages, straight from the farm to their stall.

Hayters Hill Farm Fresh Meats at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Hayters Hill Farm Fresh Meats at Byron Bay Farmers Market

This is where I get my mince to make the lasagne.

Try  the chorizo style sausages tossed through a salad or some pasta.

The scotch fillets are melt in your mouth tender, and no hacking away at your steak is required.

Also try the crumbed veal (with or without parmesan). And the good news…low on kilojoules – great for those that are health conscious!

The Hayters Hill Farm produce is so fresh it will last for days in the fridge, and also freezes well.

Just a little further down is the Bangalow Cheese Company.

Justin Telfer hand-makes a variety of cheeses from the local dairy populations of the Byron Bay area.

Bangalow Cheese Company at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Bangalow Cheese Company at Byron Bay Farmers Market

My favourite is the Tintenbar Triple Cream…a subtle, soft, deliciously creamy delight. It goes so well with your choice of red wine.

Justin also makes Byron Bay Blue, Binna Burra Blue, Brooklet Brie, Wilson’s Creek White, Federal Fetta, Coorabell Fresh Curd, and Nashua Washed Rind.

The Bangalow Cheese Company is a very popular stall at the Byron Bay Famers Market. Get in early to avoid disappointment.

Justin will happily take your orders and bring them to the stall the next week.

Be careful with your fast ripening cheeses like Camembert – ask for a younger one, otherwise you may find it has matured too much and will be quite pungent – check for an odour of ammonia (some people do prefer this, however).

Next stop is Pinny’s Products.

Pinny has a beautiful selection home made chutneys, jams and pickles.

Pinny's Products at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Pinny's Products at Byron Bay Farmers Market

I always seek out her chutneys…thick and chunky pieces of fruit or vegetable – they go fantastically on a steak or with some poppadoms.

She also has an ever changing variety of local produce at great prices.

I was lucky to find some farm fresh broccoli, still with a blue tinge to the florets.

From here it’s on to another cheese stall, Tweed Valley Whey.

Deb and Sue do a “Norm & Dee” Camembert cheese, creamy and delicious.

They have a variety of cheeses, but the are renowned for their Haloumi.

Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses at Byron Bay Farmers Market

If you haven’t heard of Haloumi, it is a rubbery, salty cheese. It is meant to be cooked.

Fry it in a pan, or on a barbeque until it is a light golden brown . It will soften slightly.

Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and you are in heaven.

Like I mentioned before, be careful with more mature soft cheeses – ask for a younger one if you prefer a less developed taste and ammonia aroma.

Here’s some more stalls to check out:

  • Byron Bay Pork
  • Coopers Shoot Vine Ripened Tomatoes
  • Nimbin Valley Pecans
  • Rous Fresh (lots of gluten free items)
  • Ewingsdale Organic
  • Monty’s Strawberries
  • Corndale Country Fresh Eggs

There are more stalls that I haven’t mentioned but are just as fantastic, each with something unique to offer.

Don’t confuse this farmers market with the Byron Bay Markets (crafts etc) which are held in the same location once a month, on Sunday.

The Byron Bay Farmers Market is located at the Butler St Reserve, and has plenty of parking. It can get very busy during holiday periods, so expect some traffic and a bit of a walk!

Parking is free but please, don’t forget a small donation to one of the local charities.

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Pintxo, only at a pinch

August 30, 2009

After overhearing a work mate talking of the Tapas Train, I was sucked in, sadly this New Farm restaurant failed to impress.  The options are sit at the Tapas train, which was decidedly empty or a regular table, I booked a table.
The menu as far as I could tell offered only banquet options, however, we [...]

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A French delight – Piaf, South Brisbane

August 15, 2009

After being recommended by a couple of colleagues the opportunity presented itself for dinner at this South Brisbane gem.  After being informed they “do” sittings, I opted for the early sitting.
We were greeted by friendly smiling staff who obliged us our request of a change of table.  There are benches or tables to chose from, [...]

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Greek tragedy…Kafe Meze

August 15, 2009

Our first event of the revamped WNDC was a tad disappointing.  After discovering our original choice was closed down, B decided on Kafe Meze.  A Greek restaurant/cafe in South Brisbane, a neighbour of the Brisbane institution 3 Monkeys.  A nice, bright, white interior greeted me, arriving slightly late.   We had a table out on the [...]

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Doctors in Ballina – Grant Street Clinic

July 6, 2009

The Grant Street Clinic has a new website with all the information you will need to find your Ballina doctor.
They have a choice of doctors available, and some procedures are bulk billed.
They also provide health test and skin cancer checks – a must for us Aussies!
This family medical clinic in Ballina is all you need for [...]

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The Tandoor Mahal at Bangalow now has an online menu.

May 18, 2009

The Tandoor Mahal Indian Restaurant Bangalow is does great Indian meals and takeaways in Bangalow.
You can now view their menu online.
Great!

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Review of iWok, Chinese and Asian Restaurant in Lennox Head NSW.

April 25, 2009

The new iWok chinese and asian restaurant is an old favourite in a new position!
Ricky still creates the best asian cuisine in Lennox Head – fresh ingredients, plenty of delicious asian sauces and sizzling aromas.
One of our favourites is Sizzling Secheun Beef – served on the classic hot plate. If you can’t make up your [...]

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Review of Cafe Mazah, vegetarian restaurant in Mullumbimby NSW.

April 8, 2009

Cafe Mazah is a great little vegetarian cafe located opposite Santos (near the corner Stuart Rd). You could easily miss if you weren’t looking out.
Mullumbimby is a town known for its passion for healthy alternative living, and Cafe Mazah has a great selection of homemade vegetarian delights.
I sat down for lunch and enjoyed a delicious [...]

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Review of The Petit Snail, French Restaurant Byron Bay.

April 6, 2009

The Petit Snail in Byron Bay is an authentic French Restaurant with a fantastic seasonal menu.
We enjoyed a variety of delicious entrées, dinners and desserts, and were spoilt for choice.
You will find some favourites, like Escargots de Bourgogne (snails in garlic butter), and French Onion Soup. We also tried Foie Gras, French Country Style Paté and Duck a [...]

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