Polo in the Vines a hit and The Persian Place to close | Food Bites

Guests were treated to Brokenwood sparkling chardonnay pinot noir on arrival and Dark Horse wines throughout the day. And Guillaume Brahimi’s menu for VIP ticketholders didn’t disappoint, from all accounts. Think crab sandwich with coriander mayonnaise; duck confit and truffle pastry; king salmon sashimi with lemon and wasabi emulsion; and Rangers Valley beef tenderloin with celeriac puree, tombe of mushrooms and jus gras, to name but a few dishes. 

Westfield Kotara sponsored Fashions on the Field which was judged by Urban Polo Association brand manager Natalie Decorte, Westfield Kotara stylist Kate Kohler and Dark Horse Vineyard’s Olivia Popovic.

Handmade in the Hunter Markets turns seven on Saturday and you are invited to the party. Karen Rowe started the markets in April 2011 with just six stalls. Now, more than 150 stallholders have registered and many more are on waiting lists. Only handmade goods are allowed to be sold.

“There is nothing that is mass-produced overseas, imported and then resold. Every item has a handmade element to it,” Rowe told Food & Wine. “And this includes the food.” 

Some of the stallholders include Pokolbin Purple and Moore Farm Fresh Produce, who provide locally grown garlic during late November and December. Olive grower Riverflats Estate is a regular, as is The Hot Chilli Woman, Hunter Valley Cookies, Pink Cadillac Diner and chef Regan Facey’s very own Signature Sauces Hunter Valley.

Pure Greed grows their own herbs and spices and then sources quality local produce for their chutneys and pestos while Casbar’s Kitchen makes homestyle jams, butters, pickles, relishes and sauces. As for honey, the market rotates four apiarists – Beelish, Tomalina Ridge Honey, Moore Farm Fresh Produce and Largs Honey. 

Two recent additions to the market food stallholders are La Casalinga, who make traditional Italian cakes, biscuits and pastries, and Crafty Pit Barbeque who specialise in smoked meat and cheese dishes. 

Head to Kevin Sobels Wines in Pokolbin this Saturday, April 14, 9am to 3pm.

Babak “Bob” Abbaszadeh and his wife Freda have decided to close The Persian Place after six years of service at the corner of King and Bolton streets, Newcastle. The restaurant introduced many a diner to Iranian cuisine and its fresh flavours and exotic ingredients.

Abbaszadeh told Food & Wine they had decided to “move on to the next stage of their lives after so many years with countless late nights and the challenges of the hospitality trade”. The birth of their daughter, Yara, four months ago also influenced their decision. A long holiday is on the cards.

“We have done this for a very long time and I think we need to take a break from it to enjoy more aspects of life, especially with having a little one,” he said.  

“We believe Newcastle is a great city and it’s only going to be a better one in future. We love Newcastle and now we call it our home. We would like to thank all our good friends who helped us shape this beautiful memory. Also, all our great staff during the years, our suppliers, all our diners and most importantly, our loyal and regular patrons who gave us hope and their love.”

For Bob and Freda, many of their customers are now lifelong friends.

The Persian Place’s final night of service will be Saturday, April 21. Do yourself a favour and book a table on or before that date.

The food and the warm welcome is worth it.

The Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair at Denman is always a good day out and this year is no exception. Ogilvie Street is taken over by food, wine and beer as well as live bands and a dedicated children’s entertainment precinct. You can leave the car at home and hop on a bus to the street party from various locations, too.

Go to upperhunterwineandfoodaffair.com.au for details and booking information.

Newcastle’s FogHorn Brewhouse is turning three and celebrating in style this Thursday, April 12. There will be $5 schooners of the venue’s most popular beers; lucky door prizes; birthday cake and a pinata.  The party kicks off at 5pm.

The Australian Financial Review released its annual top 500 restaurants list and a few familiar names made the cut: Margan, Muse, Restaurant Mason, Bistro Molines, Subo and Esca Bimbadgen. If any have been missed, let Food & Wine know.

You might want to start making plans for Mother’s Day on May 13. At Honeysuckle Hotel there will be buffet breakfast sittings at 8am and 10am with complimentary tea, coffee and juice. Book through oztix.com.au.

The Best Western Apollo International at Charlestown is hosting a three-course lunch for $69 per person or a buffet for $49, which includes a glass of sparkling wine and a flower on arrival for all mums.

The Anchorage Port Stephens has an $89 lunch at Wild Herring planned, with shared plate entrees, mains and dessert as well as petit fours, tea and coffee, and a gift for mum from Spa Lucca. The Anchorage will also host a Mother’s Day High Tea with sparkling wine and a grazing table from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. A $49 ticket includes unlimited Australian sparkling while $89 will get you unlimited Veuve Clicquot. Bookings essential.

Niko Tapaleao, aka DJ Encore, was one of Newcastle’s finest DJs – a good bloke loved and respected by all who knew him. He was engaged to be married and poised to take on the world from behind the deck when cancer abruptly – and tragically – ended his life last December. The Crown & Anchor Hotel is holding a benefit night for Tapaleao’s family at Sprout Dining this Saturday, April 14. The night kicks off at 6pm with a banquet dinner, live music, raffles and auctions. Tickets cost $50 and include entry to the party at 9pm (stickytickets.com.au). Tickets to the party cost $10. All profits from ticket sales, door sales, raffles and a percentage of the bar will help Tapaleao’s family and his fiancee, Melissa. A Go Fund Me page has also been set up (gofundme.com/kingofthecastle).