Food Porn in the Byron Hinterland

When the gorgeous Francesca from SummerHills Retreat gave me a call and suggested a little tour of her local region in the Byron Hinterland I was expecting a drive and a chai latte (because that seems to be the thing to drink in them there hills).

What I actually got was an education in just how much the area has to offer and that it’s positively dripping in spectacular produce, and bloody good restaurants.

I admit to being a tad hungover when my chariot dropped me to SummerHills Retreat but a walk through the stunning grounds and some fresh mountain air was precisely what the doctor ordered.

We walked through the macadamias to what’s affectionately called the Yin and Yang Tree. Two gorgeous figs that have entwined over the years and they wrap around each other in a woody lovers embrace.

Not to be confused with a lovers embrace with a woody.

Different.

A stunning vista on the side of a hill is the perfect place to go to recoup and recharge. Whether relaxing by the pool or doing yoga and getting massages is your bag, SummerHills caters for whatever kind of retreat you desire.

I often think that a health spa with green juice and yoga all day would be amazing, but in actual fact I’d die on the first day.

I was a little bit happy to note that the the gorgeous suite I mooched around in had a mini-bar.

My kind of retreat.

Next up we went for a spot of lunch at the old Opussum Primary School.

A chance drive through the hills changed Joanne’s life when she and her partner Gregory happened across the old primary school in Possum Creek and Lilliana’s Cafe was born.

The decor is a very relaxed plantation house vibe and the food was gorgeous.

What I loved was the fact that almost everything is sourced locally.

My shredded pork shoulder with fennel and apple salad was a pig from Bangalow, a stone’s throw down the road.

The mahi mahi, my dish of the day, was  served with Greekish quinoa salad and pesto was line caught off the local beach.

It doesn’t get much fresher and more wonderful than that unless I personally pick it myself…. and I was on holidays so that wasn’t going to happen.

When we walked in proprietor Joanne greeted us like old friends and as I left she invited me to pop into the kitchen and meet her head chef, Graeme Stockdale whose food philosophy closely resembles mine – eat fresh and share the love.

Or similar.

Their pastry chef is Mark Conroy from famed Brasserie Bread in Sydney and they told me he was a little shy. A few sweet words from me and he flashed me his buns in no time.

I’ve always had a knack.

After our delicious dessert of an Argentinian Hazelnut Pavlova with Mango and Blueberries (every bit as amazing as it sounds but no photographic evidence as I inhaled it too quickly) we decided we should head down into town for one last look at another amazing local treasure.

The Italian Diner, on Bangalow main street is wonderful for a multitude of reasons, but for me I love the idea of dining in the shadow of Sophia Loren’s slightly fuzzy pits.

The room is tres cool. Dark wood floors, perfectly placed mirrors and a stylish bar.

All I require really.

We were too full to sample more food here, but Francesca has named it as one of her top 5 in the area and swears the home-made gelato is bellisima (that’s fancy Italian for totes amazeballs).

I have started a new little love affair with the hills behind Byron Bay.

I somehow get the feeling that its slightly slower paced life, without compromising any style, is totally in keeping with my being Cuban philosophy.

Perhaps they need me to go more often to ensure they keep up the good work.

***THIS POST WAS SPONSORED BY SUMMERHILLS RETREAT WHO SHOUTED ME ALL THE FOOD I COULD STUFF IN MY BELLY****

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Hooking up with the IBOT gang over at EssentiallyJess because it’s Tuesday and I’m a’blogging.