Simple Ingredients, BIG FLAVOURS

• WORDS DI VON ESSEN

Located onsite at Hermitage Lodge, Pescara is inspired by the town of the same name on the Adriatic coast of Italy, where seafood and local produce are the specialties.

Nicole has Italian heritage and ran Carpaccio in Leichhardt with her father for several years before meeting Kelvin and establishing the highly regarded favourite ‘DCs’ in Mosman, Sydney. It was only when Woolworths began redeveloping the site on which the restaurant was situated that the couple decided to relocate further afield in the Hunter Valley. Luckily for us, this resulted in Pescara.

The restaurant is warm and welcoming, serving simple, seasonal and soul-warming Italian food with an emphasis on high-quality local produce.

“Our menu is completely true to us - fresh, simple and from the heart,” says Nicole.

House specialties such as Impanato (crumbed pork cutlet, topped with rocket, tomatoes and parmesan cheese), Vitello Limone (veal scaloppine and potato in a lemon, caper and leek sauce) and the scampi served butterflied and baked then topped with a lemon, garlic and butter sauce have become firm favourites amongst both locals and visitors.

“We knew these dishes would work well in Wine Country and recognised that others weren’t really using veal so much or scampi. We also make our gnocchi in-house, and the results are exceptional!”

The house-made gnocchi Nicole refers to is pan-fried and served with spicy Calabrese salami, pancetta and spinach. Also worth a mention is the Spaghettini served with Australian Blue-Swimmer Crab meat, chilli, garlic and white wine.

The newly opened Bar Pescara is where guests are invited to begin with a cocktail and stay for a feast. With a bar menu that includes cacciatore salami with fresh bread, Salsa Verde arancini with aioli and Sydney Rock Oysters drizzled in a white balsamic and eschalot vinegarette – it’s the perfect place to get the evening started.

“At Pescara, our bar isn't just a prelude to dinner,” says Nicole.

“It's where sips meet small plates, conversations start, and evenings come alive.”

Clearly not looking back, the talented pair love their new Hunter Valley lifestyle, finding it more relaxing than Sydney, with more space, less traffic and more cellar doors to build working relationships with.

If you’re looking for a romantic dinner under the stars, a lazy lunch with friends and family or a cocktail to kickstart your weekend away, treat yourself to Pescara's delicious seasonal menu overlooking local vineyards. For more information, to view the menu, or to make a booking, visit www.pescara.com.au. Oh – and stay up-to-date with their socials for BYO locals' nights!