CAFE ZEYTOON
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Address:Corner of King and Bolton streets, Newcastle
Open:Tuesday to Saturday, 11.30am to 3pm, and 6pm until late
Phone:49265500
Owned by:Babak Abbaszadeh
Head chef:Babak Abbaszadeh
SINCE opening last year, Cafe Zeytoon has brought a touch of Persia to Newcastle.
The Abbaszadehs added a new dimension to dining in the Hunter region, being the first to bring the Middle-Eastern cuisine to the area. They’ve also drawn on their heritage in the decoration of the inner-city restaurant to complete the experience.
Cafe Zeytoon – zeytoon meaning olive – is open for lunch and dinner and also offers banquet options for larger groups. It is licensed, serving Hunter wine by the glass and bottle, craft beer and cider.
Head in on Friday and Saturday for happy hour from 5pm with a special of $5 dips with a glass of craft beer or wine. Below is just a selection of dishes from their dinner menu.
Dips and zeytoon:$8 each or three for $19. Maast O’Khair: dill yoghurt with chopped cucumber, raisin and rose petal; hummus; Borani: chargrilled eggplant, garlic, almond and yoghurt; Zeytoon Parvardeh: Zeytoon’s signature marinated olives.
Mazzeh (small plates to share for two):Cold dishes, $10 each including Jeegar: lamb’s fry pate with grilled bread, black garlic, olives and microherbs. Hot dishes, $14 each including Lamb Vavishka: lamb rump braised in onion, sumac and tomato with tarragon yoghurt; Qalieh Meygoo: grilled king prawns in tamarind, mild chilli and herbs.
Salad:Pomegranate salad with baby spinach, feta, walnut, pomegranate, crispy bread with marjoram and pomegranate dressing $18.
Main course:All served with house-made pickles, $28. Mahicheh: Persian-style slow-cooked lamb shank, dill rice, broad beans with almond and spinach salad; Qormeh sabzi: wagyu beef shin cooked in black lime and herbs served with Shirazi salad (tomato, cucumber, onion, olives).
Vegetarian main course:All served with rice, roast vegetables and house-made pickles, $24. Coo-Coo Sabzi: fresh herb patties with mint-cilantro sauce and Sharizi salad.
Sweet dishes:$10 each. Three nuts baklawa: Persian baklawa with almond meal, pistachio and walnut with caramel sauce; Pashmak: Persian fairy floss with poached pear and ice-cream topped with saffron sauce.
