I've been so lucky to go home to Newcastle twice recently - once in November for my brothers wedding, and again at Christmas. There are so many weddings, babies and other happenings at the moment, and I can't say no to a good celebration.
On our November visit to Newcastle, we found ourselves driving around the foreshore and honeysuckle area, commenting on how much it had changed since we'd lived there. Newcastle has a real appetite for development at the moment - with some of the best beaches and lifestyle in the world, coupled with great coffee, and burgeoning foodie scene, and not to mention the local university doing a bumper trade, it wasn't going to be long before businesses started becoming attracted to the area again.
After BHP closed in the 1990's, Newcastle became a bit of a shell of it's former steel-city self. However step by step it's emerged as a unique surf-and-food city and backpacker destination in it's own right. After moving out in 2005 with a chip on my shoulder, I now find myself with more reasons to say 'I could live here again' each time I go back. I hear the railway will close soon and the city will be opened up to gardens and walkways like the highline - I can only wish my adolescent home town would be so cool in the future!
So while cruising honeysuckle we happened upon Sprout. I scoped the table settings and my first reaction was a big fat 'NO", but feeling hungry we sat down at the outdoor tables and immediately began to warm up to the idea. . .
From the outdoors, Sprout isn't much to look at. The art seems sparse, the colours completely unoffensive, and the outdoor tables looked like the might be more at home out front of a chip shop. However as soon as the waitresses greets you, you know you're being welcomed into someone's pride and joy. They're endearing to the point of offering blankies for you to keep your lap warm while you eat outdoors. They're genuine enough to give you their suggestion when you're tossing up between 2 meals. And they're candid enough to reprimand you when the wrong wine arrives and you don't immediately point it out to them. This is Newcastle hospitality, at the evolving edge.
Having now visited twice, I can confidently quote the vegetarian menu! A delicious cauliflower soup, and a fig dish for starers, and a dense, buttery gnocci for main course. In retrospect, I'd take the gnocci in an entre size for my main course - it's delicious but oh-so-filling! The meals are served timely, and the ingredients are fresh and fragrant. The cauliflower soup seems to be my favourite - it's creamy yet light, and with a hint of truffle. Yum!
The deserts are great - enough said. Some delicious peanut butter, and a chocolate lovers plate. Some good imagination and a commendable attempt at some post-modern specialties. At the end of the day, Newcastle is moving ahead, but Novocastrians still love their chocolate mudcakes!
I'm so pleased and excited by this little beauty of a restaurant. I tried getting a booking at Bacchus and Subo last time I was in town, considering the hype I'm hearing about Newcastle's fine-dining scene. Bacchus was closed for the Christmas-NewYear period, and Subo was no-chance for a booking (closed until mid Jan! I hope the husband and wife team are having a good time off. . . but I'd like to eat there!). I guess no matter how far Newcastle has come ahead, it's still a big country town and closes shop for the holidays. Considering that I could get a same-day booking with Sprout, it's definitely one of the accessible little treasures that Honeysuckle has to offer.
Add: 2 Honeysuckle drive, Newcastle, NSW Australia
PH: +61 (02) 40233565
Web: http://sproutcatering.com.au/main/page_sprout_dining_home.html
On our November visit to Newcastle, we found ourselves driving around the foreshore and honeysuckle area, commenting on how much it had changed since we'd lived there. Newcastle has a real appetite for development at the moment - with some of the best beaches and lifestyle in the world, coupled with great coffee, and burgeoning foodie scene, and not to mention the local university doing a bumper trade, it wasn't going to be long before businesses started becoming attracted to the area again.
After BHP closed in the 1990's, Newcastle became a bit of a shell of it's former steel-city self. However step by step it's emerged as a unique surf-and-food city and backpacker destination in it's own right. After moving out in 2005 with a chip on my shoulder, I now find myself with more reasons to say 'I could live here again' each time I go back. I hear the railway will close soon and the city will be opened up to gardens and walkways like the highline - I can only wish my adolescent home town would be so cool in the future!
So while cruising honeysuckle we happened upon Sprout. I scoped the table settings and my first reaction was a big fat 'NO", but feeling hungry we sat down at the outdoor tables and immediately began to warm up to the idea. . .
From the outdoors, Sprout isn't much to look at. The art seems sparse, the colours completely unoffensive, and the outdoor tables looked like the might be more at home out front of a chip shop. However as soon as the waitresses greets you, you know you're being welcomed into someone's pride and joy. They're endearing to the point of offering blankies for you to keep your lap warm while you eat outdoors. They're genuine enough to give you their suggestion when you're tossing up between 2 meals. And they're candid enough to reprimand you when the wrong wine arrives and you don't immediately point it out to them. This is Newcastle hospitality, at the evolving edge.
On our second visit to Sprout in December, we were pleased to see the same waitresses, and this time we sat inside, where there's a better perspective of what they're trying to do with the decorations. It's still simple and limited, but the thoughtfulness is more apparent from the indoors. The kitchen is pleasing - spotless, efficient, and peppered with tidy chefs running here and there like ants sent on errands by the head chef staking his position in the serving window. They're obviously happy to be on display, and rightly so.
Having now visited twice, I can confidently quote the vegetarian menu! A delicious cauliflower soup, and a fig dish for starers, and a dense, buttery gnocci for main course. In retrospect, I'd take the gnocci in an entre size for my main course - it's delicious but oh-so-filling! The meals are served timely, and the ingredients are fresh and fragrant. The cauliflower soup seems to be my favourite - it's creamy yet light, and with a hint of truffle. Yum!
The deserts are great - enough said. Some delicious peanut butter, and a chocolate lovers plate. Some good imagination and a commendable attempt at some post-modern specialties. At the end of the day, Newcastle is moving ahead, but Novocastrians still love their chocolate mudcakes!
I'm so pleased and excited by this little beauty of a restaurant. I tried getting a booking at Bacchus and Subo last time I was in town, considering the hype I'm hearing about Newcastle's fine-dining scene. Bacchus was closed for the Christmas-NewYear period, and Subo was no-chance for a booking (closed until mid Jan! I hope the husband and wife team are having a good time off. . . but I'd like to eat there!). I guess no matter how far Newcastle has come ahead, it's still a big country town and closes shop for the holidays. Considering that I could get a same-day booking with Sprout, it's definitely one of the accessible little treasures that Honeysuckle has to offer.
Add: 2 Honeysuckle drive, Newcastle, NSW Australia
PH: +61 (02) 40233565
Web: http://sproutcatering.com.au/main/page_sprout_dining_home.html
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