Time flies. Newcastle Food Month has already hit its halfway point. And what better time than the Easter weekend to take advantage of a Plate Date special?
Head to one of the 50 restaurants, cafes and hotels in Newcastle or on Darby Street taking part throughout April and, for just $25, you can enjoy a meal and a beverage. That's great value. There really is something for everyone, whether it's a breakfast or lunch burger and a coffee, kingfish or barramundi with a wine, or a bowl of pasta with a beer. Here are some suggestions.
Goldbergs Two choices: a burrata prosciutto and wattle seed honey with a coffee, or crispy Korean cauliflower with a Modus beer.
Kai Fan Two choices: beef ribs with a glass of shiraz, or three yum cha dishes with Chinese tea.
The Delany Vegan gnocchi arrabiatta with a house beer or wine.
Beach Burrito Company Corn chips with guacamole to start, followed by three tacos of your choice, and a frozen margarita.
Milky Lane Your choice of burger, with a side of fries and a beer, wine or soft drink.
Meet Restaurant A selection of two meats, with two sides and your choice of house beer or wine.
Ka-fey Cafe A Keto bowl with a small coffee.
Customs House Hotel Hiramasa kingfish with a glass of Margan Albarino wine.
Crystalbrook Kingsley Tapas style plate at Ms Mary with a glass of house wine or beer.
Susuru Ramen and Gyoza Bar Nagasaki prawn Champon ramen with a glass of organic pinot gris.
Nagisa on Honeysuckle "Smoking" salmon and kingfish mosaic with a glass of First Creek rosé.
Then there's the feature events being held throughout April. Some to look out for over the coming week are the Benjamas Thai X First Creek Wines Degustation (April 14); and Seafood and Semillon at Scratchley's on the Wharf (April 20).
A full list of all Newcastle Food Month Events and Plate Dates is available at newcastlefoodmonth.com.au.
Festival milestone
After navigating various state and regional lockdowns and managing to stage a successful festival in 2021, the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is back in 2022.
Organisers say the 10th festival - being held on June 18, 11am to 5pm, at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley - will be the biggest and best to date.
This year, 50 wineries and more than 10 craft brewers have already been confirmed. Scarborough, Draytons and Audrey Wilkinson wineries, along with boutique and organic vineyards such as Macquariedale Organic Wines and Tamburlaine Organic Wines, will be there alongside the likes of Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley, IronBark Hill Brewhouse, Lake Macquarie Brewing, Hope Brewery and Maltnhops Brewhaus.
The Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is a family-friendly event. Children are admitted free (in the company of a parent) and can enjoy a variety of activities including a jumping castle, train rides, a carousel, petting zoo and face painting.
There is plenty of onsite parking at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley and, for visitors from Newcastle, a bus service is available leaving the Novotel Newcastle and Rydges Newcastle. Tickets are available for $30 return per person.
General admission tickets are $15 ($25 on the day) through Moshtix (booking fees apply). Tastings are $2 each (30ml wine, 100ml beer/cider). For bookings and further information, including festival accommodation packages, go to huntervalleywinefestival.com. Once again, the festival will support the local Rural Fire Service, with fundraising activities on the day.
Save the date
Hunter Culinary Association's annual Food Fight is on June 28 at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. Chefs to be announced and tickets on sale soon. Stay tuned.
Foodie escape
If you are keen for a foodie escape, there's always the Taste Port Douglas Food & Drink Festival (August 11 to 14) to consider. Some of the chefs already confirmed to appear are Jerry Mai (Pho Nom, Bia Hoi), Ben Williamson (Anges, sAme sAme, Honto), Colin Fassnidge (Kitchen Nightmares), Spencer Patrick (Harrisons Restaurant), and Manu Feildel (My Kitchen Rules). The program has yet to be announced.
Easter weekend
There is a lot on this Easter weekend in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Here's a taste. Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley: Easter Seafood Degustation (April 14 to 18) and Easter Egg Hunt (April 17); Hunter Valley Gardens: Egg Hunts and Bunny Visits (April 15 to 17); Sobels Wines: Handmade in the Hunter Markets (April 16 and 17); Harkham Wines: Easter Paint & Sip for the Kids (April 17); Scarborough Wines: Easter Chocolate and Shiraz Tasting (April 14 to 18); Brokenwood Wines: Twilight Wine Bar (April 15 to 17); Dalwood Estate: Easter Saturday Picnic Day (April 16); Hunter Wetlands Centre: Dip-netting, Easter craft, reptile encounters, a Bunny Trail to follow, a jumping castle, meet the Easter Bunny (April 16); Tatler Wines: Egg Hunt, Petting Zoo, Wine Tasting (April 16); Twine Restaurant: Easter Buffet Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch (April 17); IronBark Brewhouse: Family Fun and Easter Egg Hunt (April 17); Lambton Park Hotel: Seafood platters and kids eat free (April 17); Speers Point Park: Lake Mac Easter Market (April 17).
Beers and blues
Belmont Beers, Blues and BBQ Festival is returning to Lake Macquarie's foreshore in 2022.
As part of Lake Macquarie City Council's Fast & Loud Festival, this year's Beers, Blues and BBQ will feature a variety of stalls including craft beer, small-scale spirits and Hunter Valley products, with each brewery offering a $5 budget-friendly drink option.
Ash Grunwald, Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, and Justin Ngariki and The Dastardly Bastards will be performing on the night.
It's all happening at Ken Lambkin Reserve, Belmont South, on May 21, 4pm to 10pm.
Tickets are $60 (plus booking fees) and $54 (concession) at eventbrite.com.au, which includes a reusable cup. This in an 18+ event.
