Luxe Wine & Dine: Restaurant Mason

As you arrive at Restaurant Mason you enter a restaurant reminiscent of a bistro that could be anywhere in France. With its simple decor and the wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen, the restaurant offers a relaxed environment with a straightforward approach.

Since opening in November 2011, Restaurant Mason has maintained its coveted position and received its first Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide Chef Hat, which the establishment has held for seven consecutive years. The restaurant proudly has chef Chris Thornton (The Ledbury, Notting Hill, London) curating its sumptuous dishes for its guests’ lunches and dinners. Greeted with what feels like familiarity, even if you're not a regular guest, by Antonnio, the Restaurant Mason experience begins and the passion for food, wine and superb service is obvious from the moment you enter.

Located in Newcastle East, the restaurant sits amongst trendy little stores, barbers and yoga studios, sharing its presence with an eclectic bunch of neighbours and clients alike. You begin your lunch experience with friends and good wine from the Hunter Valley, teamed with beautiful seared scallops served with corn, tomato, consommé and puffed rice. Next indulge in grass-fed Manning Valley striploin, smoked beef cheek, snake beans, grilled onions and mustard sauce, and top it off with a light desert such as cassata semifreddo with lemon, sable and crème fraiche.

Dinner can equally tantalise over three courses carefully put together by Chris using seasonal, local produce and accompanied by wine from a diverse wine list, grooming all areas of Australia’s superb wine-growing regions as well as from our neighbours in New Zealand.

Restaurant Mason provides excellent fine dining and service in their relaxed yet sophisticated venue, with thoughtfulness by Chris and wife Ami to both the menu and how guests experience it.

Visit Restaurant Mason at 3/35 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300 or on their website restaurantmason.com

WRITTEN BY LARA LUPISH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN EVANS