TO EAT: MAVIS'S KITCHEN - Taste Byron Bay

Mavis’s Kitchen – speaks to my heart and soul

I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to visit Mavis’s Kitchen, and now wonder why the hell did it take me so long!!! When absolutely everything about this place speaks to my very heart and soul.

Upon arrival the elegant charm of the old Queenslander awaits you at the foot of Mt Warning, embraced by an orchard of citrus trees and the tranquil edible garden which lovingly feeds the kitchen and inspires it’s chefs, to create seasonal menu’s around what the garden provides and local farms have to offer.

I was lucky enough to accidently plan my visit to coincide with a new menu YAY! Being somewhat of an undecisive creature when it comes to ordering off the menu (solely driven by my fear of “order envy”, I might add). My gorgeous waiter easily talks me into ordering the tasting board. A chef’s selection showcasing ingredients from across the menu, giving me lots of different flavours to enjoy along the way WINNING! Before the starter arrived though, we were treated to a gift from the kitchen in the form of fresh diced pineapple (harvested from their garden), soaked in local Spiced Bam Bam Rum from the legends just down the road at Husk Distillers.

My standout favourite from the tasting board was the chicken liver pate, a stunning example of ingredients, skill and devotion to a class French recipe executed to pure perfection. I seriously would not change a thing about this dish, other than I wish it came in take-home packs! My other fav from the tasting board would easily be the cured salmon, presented with a perfectly balanced dressing of salsa verde and baby capers on a bed of salad greens freshly picked that morning from the garden. Oh and how could I forget the delicately balanced warm fig salad with Gorgonzola, simply sublime I tell you! OK, yep you got me, I loved every single mouthful of my tasting board!

Now onto the mains! I’m a sucker for handmade Gnocchi with burnt butter and sage, so I found it impossible to resist ordering the Beetroot Gnocchi with toasted almonds, parmesan, pear and truffle puree, adorned with beetroot leaves to finish. I’d happily eat this dish everyday day of the week and twice on Sunday’s, yes yes it really is that good! And rumour has it the owners Peter and Charlie have tried to take this dish off the menu a couple of times, but the regulars would not allow it, and I totally understand why, and thank those regulars that raised their voice in protest for this dish!

Our other main was a confit duck made in-house, using local free-range duck from Drake Creek, accompanied by seasonal greens, and the most decadently delicious dauphinoise I think I’ve ever tasted.

Mavis’s Kitchen is one of those rare destination dining experiences, where you feel so relaxed and rejuvenated, kind’a like you’ve had a mini holiday! When actually you’ve just enjoyed one of your most memorable dining experiences. Such is the power of food and a sense of truly belonging.