Carrington institution Franky's Dumplings is making a comeback at Young Street Hotel on Sundays.
Noodles are off the menu, but all your other favourites have remained - Franky's Shallot Pancake, Franky's Spring Rolls, Life Changing Dumplings, Chinese Greens and Franky's Deep Fried Ice Cream - and, of course, live music.
Young Street Hotel owner Luke Tilse came up with the idea of Franky's Dumplings & Jazz two weeks ago and spoke to Matt McFarlane (who owned and operated Franky's Dumplings & Noodles with his late business partner Hua "Franky" Fan). He was keen, and so the concept kicks off this Sunday, August 4, in the hotel's rear garden area.
Tilse doesn't muck around.
Fan and McFarlane originally opened Franky's on Beaumont Street at Hamilton before moving to Young Street in Carrington where the food, homely vibe, friendly faces and regular live music quickly won over the locals.
Fan's hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles became the stuff of legend. He unfortunately died in 2021 and McFarlane closed the business in March this year.
"We had the farewell for Franky's Dumplings & Noodles at Young Street on April 2 and a heap of bands came on board for free, just to say thank you," Tilse said.
"It worked really well out the back here and we are really chilled on Sundays so I thought why not do a pop-up for Franky's, because it's such a Carrington institution?
"We'll do it for a while and see how it goes.
"The back of the pub has a very separate vibe from the front so we can still have all our sport on at the front, and Franky's out the back."
Tilse has spoken to many Carrington locals at the hotel in recent months who he says are still feeling the loss of Franky's.
"Franky's was unique, for sure, and we thought we'd try to capture that vibe and give them a place to go every Sunday," he said.
"Franky's Dumplings & Jazz will have cheap food, a live band jamming, and cheap drinks.
"It was BYO at Franky's so we've made a special drinks menu for Sunday - $25 bottles of wine, $7 schooners, $13 cocktails - and we're calling it the 'Almost BYO Prices for Booze' menu."
Franky's Dumplings & Jazz kicks off this Sunday at noon at Young Street Hotel. To book a table go online to youngstreethotel.com.au.
Lunch for a good cause
The Hunter Children's Research Foundation (HCRF) is hosting a lunch in the Hunter Valley to raise funds for critical research into children's terminal and debilitating illnesses.
Spicers Guesthouse will host the three-course lunch on September 20 with special guest Johanna Griggs, who will share with diners her passion for supporting children's health and wellbeing.
The HCRF is an auspice group of the world-renowned Hunter Medical Research Institute, focusing exclusively on children's research. They have been championing children's health since 1996, teaming up with HMRI and HNEKidsHealth to support vital research into illnesses that affect children.
"We are honoured to have someone of Johanna's standing help us to shine a spotlight on children's research in the Hunter region," HCRF spokesperson Sheryl Nisner said.
"This lunch is our major fundraiser for 2024, and we are hoping to raise in excess of $50,000 through our raffle and auction and very generous guests."
First Creek Wines will be working with Eremo Restaurant executive chef Jayden Casinelli and his team to curate a wine list for the occasion.
Hunter Construction Group is this year's Diamond Event Partner. Book your ticket now at hmri.org.au/events/hcrf-lunch-kids or by phoning (02) 4042 1000.
Paired at Peregrin
The second Paired at Peregrin long table dinner will be held upstairs at The Beach Hotel at Merewether on Friday, August 16, and this time around the five-course degustation will feature Oakshade Truffles and Saint Wine.
Oakshade Truffles is a family-owned business based at Mullamuddy, near Mudgee, driven by a passion for cooking with rich, exquisite ingredients. Oakshade founders Matt and Olivia will join diners on the night, along with Luca Scuri from Saint Wine.
Here's sneak peek at the menu ... lobster tartlet with truffle and gruyere mornay; shiitake and truffle arancini; roasted scallop with sweetcorn, crab and cured egg yolk; venison tartare with artichoke, truffle and red elk; chicken ballotine with liver farce, truffle polenta, Brussels sprouts and pancetta; duck breast with duck and truffle sausage, parsnip and madeira; and truffle and vanilla creme caramel with quince and candied walnuts.
Tickets are $160 per person and on sale now at peregrinmerewether.com.au.
I attended the first Paired at Peregrin in June featuring Vinden Wine and was very impressed with the food, the wine and the atmosphere. Check it out.
City hosts the Valley
The second annual Taste of the Hunter Valley is coming to The Station Newcastle on Saturday, August 17, 11am to 7pm. There will be wine, spirits, beers and liqueurs; a cooking stage; live music; market stalls; cheese and delicatessen stalls; food trucks; a petting zoo; free face painting; mini golf and lawn games and more. Tickets are on sale now at eventbrite.com.au. Children under the age of 18 are admitted free.
Bar Awards
The winners of the inaugural Bar Awards will be announced at an industry event held at Bartholomew's on King Street, Newcastle, on Monday, August 5. Presented by Hunterhunter, the awards aim to recognise the owners, bartenders, mixologists and brewers who are moving Newcastle's drink culture forward. Finalists have been announced across 11 categories, including Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Best Non-Alc Menu, Rookie of the Year and Brewpub of the Year. People's Choice Award voting closes tonight.
