Ever heard of a poke taco? I hadn't. But now that I have, I want one.
Thankfully, Finn Poke has just opened on Newcastle's Hunter Street. You can choose from the Katuna Taco (heirloom blue corn tortilla, sashimi tuna, seaweed salad, sriracha mayo, house cabbage slaw, crispy onions) and the Coconutz Salmon (tortilla, sashimi salmon, ginger ponzu, avo-coco sauce, pineapple, green chillies, house cabbage slaw, toasted coconut) as well as a slow-cooked chicken taco and a teriyaki mushroom taco.
You can also order signature bowls (for example, the OG Barra Bowl with barramundi, rocket, green chilli, pineapple, pickled ginger, coriander, crispy onion, spicy yuzu plus your choice of base), warm bowls and a range of sides. And the bases? There's organic brown and black rice, Japanese soba noodles, kale or a mixed salad.
Finn Poke first opened at Byron Bay in 2017 before branching out to Burleigh Heads, Pacific Fair at Broadbeach, and Southbank in Brisbane. Jacinto Group founder Jem Jacinto says the arrival of Finn Poke will "shake up the fast food scene" in Newcastle.
"Newcastle has a rich food scene and dedication to sustainability, which made it the perfect place for Finn Poke's next hub. Expanding here was a no-brainer for us as we wanted to give locals closer access to our fresh, healthy bowls," he said.
"Locals can enjoy our beloved classics such as the Teri-Mayo Salmon Bowl or Kalua Pulled Bowl - paired with a free miso soup perfect for the cooler months. And for something a little sweet there's the Coconut Chia Pudding.
"Our aim is to prove that fast food can be both convenient and nourishing, without compromising on quality - which is felt from the way we use premium Australian ingredients without the extra price tag."
Jacinto Group's expanding casual dining portfolio includes Sydney's popular salad destination, Daily Greens, burger spot, Two Yolks, as well as the '60s-inspired milk bar, Pop's.
Finn Poke has opened at 352 Hunter Street and is open daily, 11am to 8pm.
REGIONAL EXCELLENCE
EXP. Restaurant at Pokolbin and Newcastle's Humbug are finalists in the Vittoria Coffee Regional Restaurant of the Year category at the annual Good Food Guide awards.
They are up against Bar Heather (Byron Bay), Raes Dining Room (Byron Bay), and You Beauty (Bangalow). The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony on November 11 at the Sydney Opera House.
The judges said EXP. chef Frank Fawkner's "precise tasting menu allows a bush-centric sensibility to rule. Playful, precise and pure Hunter Valley".
As for Humbug, they described it as a "charming bistro bringing new energy to Hunter Street Mall. Comfort and grace all over".
I visited the one-hatted Humbug just last week. Owner and chef Michael Portley had the night off but his chefs were in fine form and his wife, Stephanie Wells, was in charge of the action.
For me, Humbug's commitment to flavours is its point of difference. And that includes its extensive wine list, thoughtfully put together by Steph to enhance the flavours of each dish.
I chose the Feed Me menu ($95 per person) and put the decision making in the hands of the chefs.
To start there were Sydney rock oysters with cumquat ponzu. The oysters were thick and juicy and paired perfectly with a 2022 Roero from Piedmont which Steph took a shine to at the Piedmont Regional Dinner with winemaker Valentina Moresco hosted by Humbug last month.
Fresh, crispy raw Newcastle Greens spring vegetables were served with a miso bagna cauda and I have to say, hand on heart, that sauce is one of the best I have ever tasted. Lathering cultured butter on the 48-hour sourdough and dipping it into the sauce was as close to heaven as you can get.
Steph said the sourdough's "mother" dough, or starter, is three years old ("It's been here since we opened").
The snapper crudo with a mandarin and garum dressing; the beef crudo with crispy rice and soy pickled king browns; the melt-in-your-mouth smokey eggplant with sheeps milk cheese and gremolata; the thinly-sliced Cowra Lamb skewers; the mafaldine pasta with osso buco, brisket brasato and truffled pecorino ... a true seasonal celebration of flavours and textures.
This hatted restaurant where you can eat with your hands; where the lights are just dim enough that you can't be witnessed mopping the plate with your bread to soak up every last drop of the sauce, is a must visit.
NEW RESTAURANT ON CANON SITE
For all those people asking, yes, Canon on The Esplanade at Warners Bay has closed and Home at the Bay is opening soon. It's a modern Mediterranean-Australian restaurant by George James, of Table 1 Espresso fame.
"The previous owner was going to close the restaurant - I heard and I approached them and thought it was a good opportunity," James said.
"I've always loved this building. I remember when Blue Water Pizza was there, walking past as a kid, and it was always busy. I loved the atmosphere.
"I've always said to my wife [Samantha] 'I really want that spot', even before Table 1 opened. It's always been my dream."
James has purchased the venue and has been busy refurbishing, creating menus and organising staff. He says he has "inherited the team" from Canon, too.
Home at the Bay will be open during the day for the time being, with Friday and Saturday nights added "in the summer months".
"We're not closing Table 1, this is something new and totally different with much more diversity," James said.
"We're roughly a week away from opening
"The sunset doesn't get any better than it is at Warners Bay, and it's literally right across from the restaurant, across the lake. We want to make this restaurant special."
SHORT AND SWEET
Earp Distilling Co at Carrington has a new executive chef, Peter Streckfuss, and a new menu that might surprise you. Watch this space.
Honeysuckle Hotel is hosting a Bottomless Brunch every Saturday and Sunday in November with a little help from Grey Goose vodka. The 90-minute Vive La Spring Racing Brunch features dishes such as mini king crab rolls, spiced chickpea salad and garlic prawn skewers, plus Grey Goose Spritzes. Think Grey Goose & Soda, Seabreeze (Grey Goose, pink grapefruit, cranberry), Afternoon Spritz (Grey Goose, prosecco, lemon, honey) and Le Grand Spritz (Grey Goose, lime juice, elderflower). Tickets cost just $80 per person.
