Long lunches and late nights are on the menu at a new Italian-American restaurant and bar in Hamilton.
It's called Nonna Bizzarro.
Now open upstairs at The Exchange Hotel, the food offering draws on the flavours of classic red-sauce dining and features dishes such as antipasti, vodka rigatoni, parmigiana, old-school garlic bread and a 10-layer lasagne.
Portion sizes are generous and conversation is encouraged, in true Italian style.
But you won't find red-and-white gingham tablecloths here.
Nonna Bizzarro is proudly chaotic, with clam-shaped disco balls, stained glass, neon, and furniture that defies any single era.
The dining room is bathed in a warm, golden hue that bounces off the wall art, which I can only describe as Renaissance meets rustic Tuscan with Sistine Chapel vibes.
Nonna Bizzarro is also loud. Proudly so. The experience is an eclectic clash of traditional restaurant and nightlife, evolving into a dance floor as the night goes on, and with DJs every service until late.
"Nonna Bizzarro is the restaurant we've always wanted to eat at," general manager Tim Pearson said.
"We wanted to create a place where the food is abundant, the music is part of the experience and the night keeps going long after the plates are cleared."
I sampled the menu at last week's launch event, which was attended by Lord Mayor Gavin Morris and his family, a handful of Newcastle Knights NRL players, and plenty of "influencers", and was impressed.
The burrata with salsa verde, hot honey and house focaccia was delicious. So, too, was Nonna's Signature Disco Pasta (rigatoni alla vodka, nduja, stracciatella) and the Limoncello Spritz (house-made limoncello, Prosecco, lemon, mint, soda).
And everyone made room for the tiramisu.
Reservations are now open at nonnabizzarro.com.au.
It must be the season for tiramisu.
Martha at Belmont 16s is launching a Sunday-only slow-roasted porchetta and tiramisu offer this Sunday, May 17.
It's $48 per person and designed for sharing, with the tiramisu served to share between two.
"It's available until sold out on Sundays," Belmont 16s marketing manager Jess Graham said.
"We're also introducing something called Sunday Sips & Sounds from 2pm to 5pm, with a local acoustic artist playing live while everyone settles in for sunset cocktails, drinks and a relaxed Sunday afternoon vibe overlooking the lake."
A little tip for you: if you want to order the porchetta and tiramisu deal, plan an early lunch. It tends to sell out, and quickly.
The third week in June is going to be a big one in the Hunter Valley, with Pokolbin's EXP. Restaurant hosting two collaborative dinners in the days leading up to the 15th annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight (starring chefs Troy Rhoades-Brown, Tim Montgomery, Chris Thornton and Michael Robinson).
"On Sunday, June 14 and Monday, June 15 we're welcoming Fabian Lehmann (executive chef at Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale) to cook alongside the EXP. team for two collaborative dinners," chef and owner Frank Fawkner said.
"It's a genuine cross-region event - McLaren Vale, South Australia x Hunter Valley, NSW - built around seasonal produce, native ingredients and technique. It costs $225 for food, with an optional $100 wine pairing or $65 non-alcoholic pairing.
"On June 15 at 3pm we'll also be hosting an industry Q&A with Fabian and other industry leaders on 'The cost of hospitality - running a restaurant in a wine region' which will be open for industry and customers to learn about the regions and the industry."
Tickets are on sale now, go to experestaurant.com.au.
Save the date: this year's Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival is on Saturday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Lovedale. This year, three of the Hunter Valley's premier chefs will partner with local wineries to present Beyond The Pour, a three-course dinner on the Friday evening (July 10): Matt Dillow (Gartelmann Wines' Deck Cafe), Ran Kimelfeld (Gather) and Frank Fawkner (the two-hatted EXP. Restaurant). Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has special festival accommodation packages available for the Friday and Saturday nights.
The newly-redeveloped Mount View Estate has a stunning cellar door, winery, barrel room and 250-square-metre restaurant. All it needs now is someone to lease the restaurant. Contact Colliers if you're keen.
Hawker Street Markets return to Hamilton on Saturday, June 13, 5pm to 9pm.
Sizzler is opening a new buffet restaurant in 2027 as part of a hotel development near Sydney Airport.
Psychic medium Jackie Gillies is hosting a private dinner for 10 at QT Newcastle on June 18. Tickets are $1500 per person.
Nagisa Japanese Restaurant is dedicating an evening entirely to sushi. Reservations for Sushi Gochiso on Wednesday, May 27, are being taken now.
Iron Gate Kitchen at Pokolbin is celebrating its first birthday on Saturday, May 30, 5pm to 9pm. Tickets to La Primera Fiesta are $99 and on sale now.
