Father's Day is fast approaching. September 5. Will we be out of lockdown by then? Flip a coin. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to show your dad you care - and support a local business at the same time.
Newcastle Food and Flower Markets at Sandgate have three Father's Day Boxes to choose from, available for delivery or pick-up. There's the Big Breakfast Dad, $75-$125 (bacon, eggs, chorizo, relish, brioche rolls, croissants, crumpets, lemon curd, vanilla bean mascarpone, strawberries); the Foodie and Craft Beer Dad, $129 (craft beer, cheese, chorizo, salami, pate, relish, sourdough, artisan crackers); and the Coffee and Sweet Tooth Dad, $89 (cold brew, coffee mug, milk, croissant, rhubarb, almond, custard brioche, Portuguese tart, a danish). Email orders@newcastleflowermarkets.com.au or visit foodandflowermarkets.com.au.
Here are some other options.
Greg and Audreys, Toronto. Rad Dad Trucker Cones Box (six choc-top cones, one trucker cap, bag of lollies, $50); Rad Dad Stubby Nuts Box (four doughnuts, a stubby holder, lollies, $40). Phone 4950 5488 or message the shop via their Facebook page.
Onyx Espresso, Mayfield. Monster Dad's Box (DIY Onyx brekky burgers, ham and cheese croissants, waffles, banana bread, fruit, plain croissants, compote, cold-pressed juices, cold brew, rocky road, muffin, bagels and cream cheese, butter, Nutella, treacle, $190). There's also the Classic Dad's Box ($110) and the Mini Dad's Box (55). Order via direct message or by emailing onyxespressobar@hotmail.com.
Sea Salt & Sage Catering, Cooks Hill. Father's Day Dessert Box (cannoli, sfogliatelle, almond and berry tarts, custard-filled pizzelle and crostoli, $70); Antipasto Grazing Boxes (cheese, prosciutto, mortadella, salami, fruit, marinated vegetables, focaccia crackers, dips and spreads, pretzels or nuts, $75); Father's Day Dinner Boxes (fettucine with creamy garlic prawns or chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto and creamy sauce, plus sides, $110). Order online at seasaltandsage.square.site or phone 0403 066 709.
Babbington's Bar and Grill, Charlestown. Father's Day Brisket Box (300-gram 12-hour smoked brisket, honey mustard slaw, cheese and macaroni croquettes, slider bun, BBQ sauce, $25). Phone 4943 6733 to pre-order.
Caleo, Warners Bay. Family Breakfast Box (bacon and egg rolls, ham and cheese croissants, sweets, muffins, coffees, smoothies, $78); the Cocktail Box (four cocktails, various sweets, $75). Phone 0455 722 661, text 0480 091 582, or direct message.
Bread and Brewery, Morisset. Father's Day Family Pack (1.89-litre growler of beer, smoked brisket pies, tomato chilli sauce, cheese, $100); Father's Day Spec-TAP-ular (two 0.945-litre squealers of beer, smoked brisket pies, hot sauce, cheese and spread, crackers, $115). Order online at breadandbrewery.com.au.
Hippo Espresso, Warners Bay. Father's Day Backyard BBQ (rump steaks, bacon, chicken skewers, chorizo, eggs, coleslaw, potato salad, beer, soft drinks or juice, $75 for two to three people, $130 to double the lot). Available for pick-up or delivery. Phone 4948 0800.
The Little French Cafe, Broadmeadow. Father's Day Pastry Box (sweet and savoury pastries, $65 delivered). Phone 0455 196 070 to order.
Chunky Boiz Cookie Co, Maitland Vale. Father's Day Boxes (three to choose from) with a custom card; $60, includes delivery. Orders close August 26; direct message via Facebook or Instagram.
The Local Yolk, Lake Macquarie. Father's Day Breakfast Box (eggs, milk, juice, honey, cheese, butter, relish, bread, bacon, card, $69 delivered). Add $10 for coffee. Direct message or email eggs@lakemacfreerange.com.au.
Emerson's Restaurant, Lovedale. Father's Day Local's Hunter Valley Special: Cold Seafood Platter for Two (whole lobster, blue swimmer crabs, king prawns, a dozen Sydney Rock Oysters, BBQ squid, pickled octopus, salmon pastrami, marinara sauce, cocktail sauce, $250). Phone 4930 7029 to order; pick-up only.
Hunter Belle Dairy Co, Scone. Father's Day Hunter Belle Dairy Hamper (cheese, fudge, nougat, BBQ sauce, $79). Order at hunterbelledairy.com.
Euro Patisserie, New Lambton. Father's Day Hamper Box (pies, sausage rolls, croissants, rocky road, fudge tarts, cupcakes, pretzels, licorice and more, $90). Phone 4957 7188 or visit europatisserie.com.au to order.
The Deck Cafe, Lovedale. Degustation to your Door, Father's Day Long Lunch (five-course dinner with Gartelmann and Saddlers Creek wines, $85 per person). Delivery to pick-up points on September 3 and 4. Go online to deckcafelovedale.com.au, phone 4930 9007, or email bookings@deckcafelovedale.com.au.
Talulah Cafe, The Junction. Father's Day Brunch Box (eggs, lager, pressed juice, coffee beans, buns, cheese, relish, garlic aioli, slaw, rocky road, bacon, $40). Order online at talulahbar.com.au.
Fredeli Pty Ltd, Warners Bay. Platters and Italian craft beer, go to fredeli.com.au.
Club Charlestown Breakfast Takeaway Pack (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked tomatoes, spinach, yoghurt with muesli, croissants, pancakes with maple syrup, fresh fruit, $60). Also a vegetarian option: corn fritters, haloumi, sourdough, tomato chutney, mushrooms, spinach, yoghurt with muesli, pancakes with maple syrup, and fresh fruit.
Swan Street Deli Larder, Morpeth. Now taking orders for all Father's Day catering - platters, seafood, BBQ chickens, special Father's Day meal pack. Go to swanstdeli.com.au to view the menu. Orders must be in by 3pm on September 1.
Neighbours on Market St, Newcastle. Father's Day Brunch and Charcuterie boxes. Add on cocktails or wine. Order at neighboursonmarketst.com.au.
Cranky Chef Catering, Mayfield West. Father's Day Sweets Gift Box (brownie, peanut brittle, loaded cookie, dessert pot); Father's Day Savoury Gift Box (pork crackle, teriyaki beef jerky, salted beer nuts, BBQ meat coffee rub); Father's Day Sweet & Savoury Gift Box. All deliveries will be made on September 4. Order online at crankychefcatering.com.au.
Maddz on York, Teralba. Dad's Breakfast Box (corn fritters, Boston bacon baked beans, avo, fetta and dukkah, romesco, garlic mushroom, shaved leg ham, sourdough, banana bread, fruit, Nutella pot, $60); Brunch Box for Two (Belgian waffles with maple, berry compote and lemon curd, seeded bagel with cream cheese, ham and cheese croissant, breakfast muffins, fruit, strawberry blondie bites, juice, $55); Dad's Sweet Treat Box (jaffa brownie, mint brownie, banana caramel blondie, caramel ganache tart, Nutella cookie sandwich, caramel slices, rocky road, honey comb baked cheesecake, peanut brittle, $50). Available to pre-order for pick up on September 4 or 5. Order via direct message, in store or by phoning 4950 8194.
Mischief Kitchen, Belmont South. Brunch Box (bacon, eggs, relish, bread rolls, ham and cheese croissants, fruit, yoghurt, muffins, juice, $70); Brownie Box (brownie, cream, caramilk sauce, strawberries, marshmallows, sprinkles, ice-cream, $55). Pre-order now for pick up or delivery on September 4 by phoning 4017 2522.
For the wine lover
Still on the Father's Day theme, Boydell's Wines at Morpeth and Australian artisanal leather goods company, Saddler & Co, have collaborated to create a limited edition wine bag ($150). It's handcrafted and made in regional NSW (Dubbo) and any purchase includes a bottle of your choice from Boydell's. Order online at boydells.com.au.
