Where and what to eat in Newcastle and the Hunter this Christmas

This year's Christmas Collection includes chocolate baubles to hang on the tree, ginger-filled or sprinkle-filled chocolate baubles, chocolate and peppermint creme Christmas trees, White Christmas (smooth white chocolate topped with candied orange, assorted nuts and aniseed); and Rudolph Pops. They almost look too good to eat.

Cocoa Nib has shopfronts at The Junction and at Keith Tulloch Wine in Pokolbin. You can also order online at cocoanib.com.au but don't leave it too late.

Chef Lesley Taylor has opened Taylor's Bistro at Soldiers Point Bowling Club.

She has created a modern Australian a la carte menu with local oysters and seafood, club staples such as burgers and pizza, and daily blackboard specials.

Given Taylor's skill and experience, expect something a cut above your average club meal.

Taylor's is open daily for lunch from noon to 2pm and dinner 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The bistro also incorporates a coffee shop which sells sandwiches, light snacks and house-made cakes and tarts.

Paymasters Restaurant in Newcastle has introduced a "no mess, no fuss" Christmas takeaway menu.

All you have to do is place your order by December 17, pick it up on Christmas Eve between 9am and noon, and put it in the oven on Christmas Day.

So, what's on the menu? Defrosted Queensland Mooloolaba king prawns served with cocktail sauce and lemon, a choice of salad bowls that each feed four to six people, and dessert. As for the roast meat ($70 for two people, $180 for six people) there is honey, mustard and orange glazed ham, pork, turkey and chicken, crackling and assorted stuffings, vegetables and gravy.

Go online to paymasters.com.au to view the menu and book.

Babbington's restaurant at the Apollo International Hotel, Charlestown, is hosting a Christmas Day feast. Tickets sold out quickly but now that COVID restrictions have eased, more people can be seated. The six-course Christmas lunch costs $154 per person and includes a fresh seafood platter; honey-smoked ham and caprese salad; chargrilled squid and roasted butternut risotto with toasted walnuts; braised beef brisket, turkey and cranberry roulade, vegetable dauphinoise, sage jus, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables; and a choice of desserts.

The restaurant's new summer menu was recently introduced and the best-selling dish so far is the pan-roasted Moroccan chicken breast with saffron potatoes, butter-poached green beans and harissa sauce. The roasted salmon fillet with housemade ricotta gnocchi, heirloom carrots and saffron velouté has also rated highly, I am told, along with the Kirsch baked soufflé with cherry compote and rock-salt caramel ice-cream.

Belmont 16s got in touch to advise a Christmas Day Banquet was on offer - complete with water views. The menu includes prawns, honey-glazed ham on the bone, roasted turkey breast, mustard-crusted beef sirloin, vegetables, ravioli, salads and desserts. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options and bookings are essential ($139 for adults, $45 for children 12 and under). There will be gifts for the kids, too.

Article 24 Mediterranean Kitchen opens at New Lambton tonight and it's a full house. The menu was revealed this week and features large share plates like harissa spiced BBQ spatchcock, moussaka and Spanish pilaf, while the small share options include mussels, hand-rolled Moroccan cigars, and pumpkin and fetta stuffed crispy ravioli.

Three Bears Kitchen is closing its doors on December 13 after four years in business on Market Street in Newcastle. Its sister cafe on Watt Street, Momma Bears Cafe, will continue to operate as normal.

XS Espresso Kotara is opening this Thursday, December 10, at Kotara Home (Kullaiba Road). To celebrate, they are offering a free doughnut with every coffee purchased until Sunday.

Bella Italia on Newcastle's Hunter Street has introduced a new lunch special for December. You can grab your choice of four $12 pizzas (margherita, mushroom, salami, ham and pineapple), three $14 linguine pastas, and three $15 salads (chicken, tomato, onion, olives, rocket; corn, tuna, red onion, tomato, mixed leaves; or prawns, rocket, chickpea, cherry tomato, fetta). The lunch special is available 11.30am to 2.30pm, takeaway only. Order by phoning 4927 8050.

The Captain and Crew at Marks Point has introduced a Summer Bottomless Lunch. Every Wednesday to Sunday you can enjoy bottomless Frosé (frozen rosé), frozen cocktails, rosé, prosecco or Capital Summit XPA plus lunch bites including Moroccan lamb cigars, hommus and zartar crisps, halloumi with honey and pistachios, and chorizo in sherry vinaigrette. All this for just $75 per person. You can book for 11.30am to 1.30pm, or 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Tables of four or more. Phone 4945 4393.

Chef Glen Taylor likes to have a few pots on the boil. Not only is he busy preparing low-and-slow saloon bar Corset for its 2021 opening date at Hamilton, he announced last week he will be opening Urban Burger Joint in Newcastle.

Nic Brady and Sam Turner from popular Islington eatery Newy Fried Chicken feature on an Uber Eats billboard on Maud Street, Waratah, posing next to the words: "Cheers Newy Fried Chicken for feeding Newcastle in 2020".

Brady couldn't be happier with the way business is going.

"Our Thursday test kitchens have been going astronomically well," he said.

"It's fun to have a creative outlet that can showcase our product. We also have a new spicing technique that involves dry shaking seasoning on our chicken. It means a much more flavour-packed experience."

Just remember, Newy Fried Chicken and Newcastle Fried Chicken are not the same business. Check (twice) before ordering to avoid confusion.

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