It's been a year since Suki Kwon, aka Sukimama, opened her Korean takeaway "hole in the wall" in an Islington laneway, and she's in the mood to celebrate.
Drop by 99-101 Maitland Road on Saturday, 11am to 2pm, and she will be serving Sukimama menu favourites - with a few surprises thrown in.
"There will be a small gift, a little bit of Sukimama for everyone to take home, with every order placed, as well as traditional Korean rice cakes and mochi given away throughout the day," Suki said.
"There is an art exhibition on at Owens Collective and I will also have Dan Phelan playing vinyl in the courtyard, and Honey recording a live set for an hour, so the courtyard will be full of food, music and art."
Honey is a Newcastle-based events brand that uses soul, funk, disco and alternative dance music to create inclusive spaces where people can discover great music and connect with others.
Suki has always been adamant that Sukimama isn't about her, it's about the food, and that's one of the secrets to her success over the years. She expresses herself through her cooking, and lets her food do the talking.
Food is, after all, her love language.
Sukimama is open Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm, and Saturday, 11am to 3pm. Find out for yourself what all the fuss is about.
The Lane Retreat at Bimbadgen has launched a new Paws in the Vines Package, with prices starting at $350 per night for two guests and one dog. Your getaway includes: two nights in a stylish, pet-friendly studio retreat; daily continental breakfast provisions; a Mimi & Munch Bedtime Treat for your pooch; a wood-fired pizza for two at Bimbadgen Pizzeria; and a "Paw-cuterie" platter for your furry friend, featuring Mimi & Munch snacks (served at Bimbadgen Pizzeria). Bookings at thelaneretreat.com.au.
I visited Esca Bimbadgen over the weekend and was impressed by the renewed a la carte lunch experience, the service, and the wine offering. A shout-out must go to the half-shelled scallops coated in a wasabi and citrus butter and finished with a prosciutto crumb; the zucchini flowers stuffed with slow-cooked tomato risotto and served with poached pear, truffle honey, a creamy cheese sauce and grated pecorino; and the spanner crab raviolo served with prawn bisque infused with coconut, ginger and lemongrass, topped with Sunshine Coast spanner crab, XO sauce and avruga caviar.
Just about every table downstairs at the pizzeria was full and, I was told, on Friday afternoons from 5pm there's live music and you can grab $12 martinis and house cocktails, plus a snacks menu, as part of the new Sunset Sessions offer.
The hatted Humbug restaurant on Newcastle's Hunter Street is hosting a "French wine fire sale" on Sunday, June 28, 2pm to 5pm. And in true Humbug style, they're making this afternoon soiree a lot of fun.
"The cellar is evolving and we're making room for some exciting new additions - and that means our entire French collection needs to find a new home. Preferably in a glass. Preferably yours. We'd rather drink it with you than move it quietly," Humbug owners Michael Portley and Stephanie Wells said.
"So we're throwing open the cellar doors for an afternoon of rare pours, classic Burgundy, and wines that have absolutely no business being available by the glass - until now."
Tickets are $220 per person and include unlimited premium French wine pours, rare and classic bottles opened across the afternoon, wines usually never available by the glass, charcuterie and light Humbug signature snacks, and a roving tasting with Ed Leite from World Wine Estate.
The historic Neath Hotel is for sale by private negotiation.
Chiefly Royale is moving from Mayfield to 230 Maitland Road, Islington.
Chautari Momo Hub & Cafe has opened at 34A Kelton Street in Cardiff and is serving an authentic Nepalese menu.
Viral Food Festival returns to Newcastle Racecourse this week (June 19 to 21), featuring "trending" street food and desserts.
Muchos Maitland is closing its doors on Saturday, June 28.
You can now order BBQ packs or boards from MEET restaurant via Uber Eats on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Melt Gelato is opening a store at Whitebridge.
Tickets to Bistro Penny's Winter Solstice lunch on Sunday have sold out (unsurprisingly) but it looks like becoming an annual event for co-owners Joel Humphreys and Nic Wong.
Kingsley Winter Lodge has returned to Crystalbrook Kingsley; a fun, unique, dining experience in a winter-themed "dome" complete with snow and a communal fire pit. This year's offering includes a cocktail on arrival; crumbed mushroom lasagne bites; spicy nduja pastry parcels; Winter Veloute with preserved black truffle; lamb shank and Guinness pie; colcannon of potato mash, mint peas and spring onion; crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts; and a tiramisu. Two-hour bookings are available on Saturdays (until August 30) at 3pm, 5.30pm and 8pm. Tickets are $120 per person.
