Yeah I know, you wouldn’t naturally think pizza and 5-star beach resort BUT think again, my authentic flavour-seeking friends, because you can indeed get stunningly authentic Italian pizza at Elements of Byron – YAY! You’ll also (no doubt) be happy to hear that the pizzas are priced the same as at many of the local joints in town. Yep, all the more reason to grab your crew and head to Azure Bar & Grill for pizza, wine, beer, and good times for lunch or dinner.
Executive chef Simon Jones is a master of flavour balance and authenticity. He has worked in some of London’s top restaurants and on super-yachts bobbing along the Italian coastline. (On his days off Simon would often head out in search of local family-run pizza joints, all in the name of research!)
There is so much to love about the pizzas at Azure Bar & Grill that I don’t know where to start! So I guess we should just start at the beginning, the base if you like. The pizza base takes three days to make – yes, three days! The sourdough base is made using a ‘mother Bega’, which is basically a sourdough starter that is ‘fed’ each day to keep the active yeast alive. This is super important, because it’s what gives the dough its epic bounce, texture, and perfect pizza crust chew. Basically, the beating heart and soul of any epically authentic pizza! Add to this lashings of local produce and a smattering of European goodies, and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful and expertly curated pizza menu from which to work your way through on multiple visits!
On a recent visit for lunch we ordered some of my all-time favourite pizzas, Pumpkin ($27), (with roast pumpkin puree as the base instead of a traditional tomato base – genius!), pumpkin, chilli, truffle, goat cheese, oregano, honey, and parmesan. Sausage ($24), with housemade fennel sausage, stracciatella, parsley, and mozzarella. Serrano ($27), jamon serrano, mozzarella, rocket, cherry tomatoes, stracciatella. The magic does not stop at the pizzas though, friends, the salads are also a feast for the senses; Byron Bay Burrata ($26), Baby Cos Caesar ($20) – with proper white anchovies YAY! – and pangrattato instead of croutons, which frankly should be how all Caesar Salads are made from this day forth! And the seemingly understated but truly magnificent Seasonal Salad Leaves ($20), with truffle, goat cheese, hazelnut vinaigrette.
Then just when you think that enjoying authentic pizza, while gazing across the pool framed by blue skies and super-friendly waitstaff at hand, a bottle of your favourite wine arrives and your pizza nirvana is truly complete!
Elements of Byron:
Bookings recommended:
6639 1500. 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay. IG: @elementsofbyron
www.elementsofbyron.com.au
Words and images by Terase Davidson:
Terase is the founder of Taste Byron Bay. For more information contact: www.tastebyronbay.com or follow the fun on
INSTAGRAM @tastebyronbay.
