Restaurant brings European influence to local flavours

NEW Lennox Head restaurant Rhea Food +Wine is bringing new tastes to the region with head chef Jonny Wood and front of house manager Tyson Graham breaking out on their own.

The pair worked together at Shelter Restaurant Lennox Head and have reunited after Wood returned home from a stint in Scotland.

The 27-year-old takes on his first head chef role after working in Michelin star rated restaurants, while Graham brings 15 years of experience in the industry, having moved to the area from Melbourne five years ago.

“This has been a dream of mine for a very long time and I’m stoked it’s happened here,” Graham said.

“It came down to timing and I’m confident we can bring something different that people will enjoy.”

The restaurant has a unique twist with its vinyl record-player where it will soon invite customers to bring their own records to be played one night a week.

The pair aims to champion local Northern Rivers produce with a refined twist of modern European flavours.

It has been set-up take bookings for long lunches and dinner service.

The curated menu includes local meats and seafood, while the drinks list features innovative cocktails and a selection of Australian and international wines which they hope will set them apart.

Wood said the menu uses pipis and prawns from Ballina, with local meats and other vegetables.

The menu includes a 300g striploin with soy lime jus and seaweed emulsion.

There is also a zucchini, whipped ricotta with smoked tomato and a caramelised fennel, onion puree, pecorino.

“I always hoped to have an opportunity like this at home,” Wood said.

“I want to bring back the French techniques I learnt and apply that to our local produce.

“The chefs at Shelter were good to me and I just want show everyone what I can do.

“It’s a perfect place for a young chef to manage a kitchen and try and build a reputation.”

The restaurant is open from 12-9pm, Wednesday to Sunday.