Sold On Specials

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 14, 2008

JENNY TARRAN

It was only after I booked to go to the Mattara for lunch last week that I realised that parking was going to be an issue. With so much construction at Charlestown, parking is at a premium.

Despite it being just before lunch I struck gold and managed a park near the Mattara and as I walked up to the pub there was my mother who apparently had the choice of several parks at her secret location. So off we went to indulge in lunch.

The main menu of the Mattara doesn't look that large, but there are plenty of the staples to choose from. With salads, entrees, pastas, chicken and steak dishes on the main menu, along with burgers and children's meals, there is a wide choice, but we decided to order straight from the specials board.

The specials board, which changes regularly, is where the best meals can be found, particularly for those who dine frequently at the Mattara.

So we sat there trying to work out if we wanted a seafood plate with flathead, crumbed scallops, prawns and calamari, the pumpkin ravioli in a creamy sauce, a beef and Guinness pie with vegetables or a chicken filo parcels with asparagus.

I went for the seafood plate, $19.50, while Mum tucked into the beef and Guinness pie, $21.90.

We opted for some sour dough bruschetta, $6.50, as we sat and waiting for our mains and did some people watching.

The place was full, obviously there were some movie goers, but there was a huge mix of shoppers and workers as well, taking advantage of the hotel's warm restaurant.

The seafood plate was like your typical fisherman's basket affair with the seafood sitting on a salad. It was large serving, but the batter was crisp and the seafood went down a treat.

The pie came in a terrine with a side of fresh vegetables and Mum, while at first put off at its appearance so dissimilar to other Guinness pies she had eaten in Irish pubs, certainly polished it off. It may have been served differently but the flavours were all still there.

Jenny was a guest of the restaurant.

QUICK BITE

What: Mattara Hotel, 333 Charlestown Road, Charlestown.

Prices from $4.50 to $25.

Chef: Mathew Lee.

Wines: Fully licensed.

Food and wine match: Guinness pie with a Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz from the Mattara's wine cellar.

Coffee: Peaberrys.

Functions: Several function rooms, catering for meetings, cocktails or dinner.

Open: Lunch served daily noon to 2pm. Dinner daily 6pm (Sunday from 5.30pm) to 9pm.

Bookings: 4943 3911

VERDICT

The Mattara stands by itself in Charlestown and is located close to Hoyts cinema and within walking distance of shopping areas. It is a great pre- or post-cinema and shopping venue. The menu is solid with plenty of choice, but check out the specials board for some great dishes.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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