During a public holiday long weekend a few months ago, Zen and I snuck up to the Central Coast for some well-needed R&R. In an instance of great minds thinking alike, my sister and her hubby happened to be there too, so we met up for dinner.
With many restaurants in Newcastle either booked out or closed (that’s the trouble with traveling during public holidays!), we searched a little beyond the city centre and stumbled across The Source Cafe, which is located by the water at an unassuming residential complex in Maryville.
We start with a share plate of toasted sourdough with dips ($12.50). There’s a rich and nutty basil pesto, a really tasty olive tapenade and a romesco dip.
The paella del mariso ($26) on the specials menu is declared a winner by the boys. It is a generous serving of prawns, mussels, fish, garden peas and rice infused with luscious notes of tomato and saffron.
My sister’s macadamia crusted lamb rump ($28.50) is admired by all when it arrives at the table. The lamb is stacked on top of a glorious mountain of roast pumpkin, semi dried tomato ragout and spinach.
I have the market fish of the day – salmon – served with a pear, rocket and parmesan salad with raspberry vinaigrette and herb salted beer battered chips with garlic aioli. The fish is grilled and finished with a beautiful sticky honey. Every element of this dish is brilliant – I love all the various textures and flavours which provides excitement from beginning to end.
There are many hidden gems to be discovered around Australia, I’m so glad we found this one.
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The Source Cafe
Shop 1, 74-76 The Lane, Maryville, Newcastle NSW
Phone: (02) 4940 8023
