OK folks, it's time to get organised for Father's Day. The good news is, lots of venues are getting in early this year and spruiking what they have to offer your dad on Sunday, September 1. Here are some suggestions, which I'll add to over the next fortnight. And, as always, book or you might miss out.
MEET Restaurant, Newcastle Not only is dad gifted a beer of his choice on arrival, if you book a table for the family you get to order from the special Father's Day churrasco menu ($75 per person, $25 for children under 12, children under five eat free). The menu is too big to list in its entirety but includes picanha, seven-day dry-aged sirloin with whiskey sauce, wagyu skirt; 12-hour smoked beef brisket; 10-hour smoked beef ribs; porchetta; beer and brandy chicken wings; cheese bread and banana fritters.
Earp Distilling Co, Carrington Both the regular and Feed Me Sundays menus will be available, and children under 12 eat free. Plus, dad gets a complimentary 200ml bottle of Reggie's Rum to take home.
Mercure Charlestown Choose from a hot buffet breakfast, hot buffet lunch or an a la carte three-course dinner at Madison Kitchen + Bar.
Dullboy's Social Co, Warners Bay and Rutherford Dads bowl or putt for free all day and can grab a smoked brisket bun and a beer from the "Farbecue" in the mini golf area between 11.30am and 3pm. Or, book a booth at The Diner.
Martha Drink + Dine, Belmont 16s Treat dad to a special three-course a la carte Father's Day menu for lunch or dinner overlooking Lake Macquarie.
In Forno, Charlestown Book a table from noon to 2.30pm on September 1 and for $38 dad can enjoy unlimited pizza (half price for children under 12). No walk-ins.
Honeysuckle Hotel, Newcastle Start dad's day with an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast on the harbour and a complimentary drink.
Eastern Tiger Restaurant, Cardiff RSL Lunch or dinner is sorted with a seafood buffet featuring some special Father's Day-only dishes. A complimentary non-alcoholic drink is included with every ticket purchase.
The Beach Hotel, Merewether Dad gets a free Stone & Wood stubby holder and if he buys one Stone & Wood, he'll get one free. Upstairs at Peregrin restaurant dad can take advantage of the sirloin special (roasted Tajima Wagyu sirloin 5+, red wine jus, wagyu fat sweet potatoes).
Argenton Hotel The Argy welcomes dads for lunch and dinner. There will be live music from 1pm and free entertainment for the kids.
Harrigan's, Cameron Park Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, with plenty of games and giveaways on the day.
Bellbird Hotel It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and dad gets a complimentary schooner. There will be food and drink specials, live music and entertainment for the kids.
NINETEEN, Pokolbin Book a table for breakfast, lunch or dinner (check out The Airstream Smokehouse) and treat him to a craft beer or two.
The Mary Ellen Hotel, Merewether Book a table for lunch or dinner and take advantage of the free shuttle bus to and from the Knights vs Titans home game (when dad returns he gets a free tap beer on the house). And for one day only, order a Mooney (beef) burger or Nashville (chicken) burger paired with a beer for just $20.
Huntlee Tavern, Branxton Book a table for breakfast, lunch or dinner and dad gets a free schooner. There will be entertainment for the kids, live music and plenty of food and drink specials on the day.
8 at Trinity, Trinity Point Book for a three-course lunch or dinner and get a free mocktail, cocktail or beer on arrival.
Lovedale Bar & Grill Head to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley from August 30 to September 1 to enjoy the $48 Dad's BBQ Meat Feast (gochujang chicken wings, chilli lime pork belly bites, honey soy pulled lamb, chips and slaw). On Father's Day dads receive a free Sydney Brewery schooner of their choice, too.
Boydell's Restaurant, Morpeth Spoil dad with a special Father's Day three-course, family-style, shared lunch menu.
Homegrown Father's Day Market, Speers Point Park There are lots of food trucks for dad to explore, plus quality market stalls to browse and entertainment for the kids.
Dad's Day on the Green, Club Kotara Enjoy a fun family day out with a barbecue, live music, drink specials and a jumping castle for the kids.
Crinitis, The Rooftop, Kotara Dad will receive a Wolf's schooner on arrival.
Father's Day Cruise, Newcastle Harbour Feast on a buffet lunch while cruising the harbour and enjoying a drink from one of the two onboard bars. Details at alleventcruises.com.au.
Frenchie here to stay
Frenchie at Carrington is hanging around and I, for one, am excited.
It opened last month as a French-inspired pop-up restaurant and is now a permanent fixture at The Criterion.
"Frenchie is here to stay," Mitchell Steel said. He is one of the partners behind MEET Restaurant, Lucky Duck Lovedale, Frenchie, and Alfie's Catering at Ravella and Leaves & Fishes.
"It was always something we wanted to do and while it's a tricky time to launch a restaurant, after we shifted the focus of the Cri pub it just felt like now or never.
"We've been so encouraged by the early support from locals and the wider community, which has given us the confidence to keep going.
"We have plans for the outdoor areas in the works, too, to be ready when the weather warms up. As long as people keep coming, we'll keep opening the doors. We're so grateful."
I visited when it first opened and was impressed by the decor, music, service, food and wine. Frenchie is open Thursday to Saturday from 5.30pm. Book at frenchierestaurant.com.au.
Ballz and Booze
Winemaker Lisa McGuigan is always thinking outside the square, and her latest venture is no exception. It's called Ballz and Booze, and it's a collaboration with Newcastle's own Slab Cheesecakes. The 45-minute wine tasting takes place at Vamp Wine Rooms in Pokolbin and each wine is matched with three delectable "cheesecake balls" or, as Slab likes to call them, cheesecake shots. While the adults are busy, children can have fun eating their own cheesecake shots. A tasting costs $25 and bookings are essential at vampwinerooms.com.au.
SHORT & SWEET
A new bistro, Peppertown on Park, has opened at Mayfield Bowling Club. Order between now and Sunday, August 18, to receive a special 10 per cent discount.
Burger Urge at Stockland Greenhills is undergoing a refurbishment and will re-open shortly, I am told by a spokesperson, with a new burger menu and "another new item we've never sold before". Keep an eye out.
Meat & Grain Steakhouse is scheduled to open in late October or November. The fit-out of the restaurant in the Huntington building at 33 Honeysuckle Drive begins this week.
Taste of the Hunter Valley at The Station Newcastle on Saturday, August 17, has been postponed due to forecast rain. All tickets already purchased will roll over and be valid for the new date, when it's announced, or you can get a refund through Eventbrite.
