Anticipation was in the air as guests arrived on Newcastle’s Famous Tram. The festoon lights welcomed everyone with the sparkle of an opening night billboard and the White Rabbit finally revealed the mystery of the venue.
The Regal Cinema in Birmingham Gardens offered Epicureans an adventure that was more than just food. For many it was a place where where cinematic history and fond memories were shrouded in the thick red velvet that draped the stage and graced the chairs. For all it was a place where thoughts of food turn to hot dogs, pop corn and choc tops.
Beautifully restored to its former glory, The Regal welcomed guests with its freshly painted foyer, polished timber floors and plush red velvet chairs filling the front of the hall. The footlights spread a luxuriant warmth from the stage curtains throughout the room. 1940‘s lamps and furniture took you back in time and a fabulous retro mirror set off the centre table. In the rear half of the room, three long tables were set for 50 guests with rose filled vintage vases and fanned napkins.
Served from a timber vending tray, a Candy Bar Dog was a fun start to the night. This dish born from the combined minds from our two chefs. Hunter Valley chef, Harry Callinan’s, hand made chipolatas were wrapped in tiny sour dough brioche rolls baked by our special guest, Dean Gibson, one of Australia’s best pastry chefs. The sweetness of the roll and the caramelised onion was perfect with the strong flavours of the ‘dog’ within.
Of course, a trip to the Regal wouldn’t be complete without also indulging in a film. The evening began with two short, sweet films. “Pop’s Dream” was written and produced by our two most dedicated Epicureans, Christopher Saunders and Vanessa Bates. The second, the runner up in this year’s Tropfest, “Better than Sinatra”, by Jefferson Grainger. The screeings provoked smiles and laughter and everyone fell in love with Sydney pensioner, Raymond, who was the star of the second film.
A popcorn topped cup of sweet corn chowder, arrived during interval. It was smooth and thick, perfect for sipping during the second film. The basil butter popcorn adding a cinematic crunch.
Harry had scoured his own vegetable garden and his Hunter Valley connections for the freshest and best to lay on our table. Shared dishes of warm roasted beets, jerusalem artichoke, organic Lovedale rocket, Binnore goats cheese croquettes and kipflers tossed with chermoula and fresh lemon began to fill the tables. As we took our seats and anticipated the accompanying main dish of the meal, Rolf de Heer’s silent film, Dr Plonk, rolled in the background.
The Main Feature of our meal began to spill from the kitchen. A large portion of free range Bangalow pork belly so moist and tender it almost melted away beneath its crispy skin. A generous smear of carrot puree and a drizzle of wattle seed caramel with apple walnut slaw made for a deliciously warming supper for a winter’s evening.
Like all good films the climax was yet to come. The Golden Ticket! Dean Gibson’s Gobsmacking, Scrumdidlyumcious Chocolate Bar. He had brought the candy bar from the foyer to our plates. Like children in a chocolate factory, we experienced our dessert. Each mouthful a delicious surprise. The bar contained layers of silky smooth mousse like textures flavoured with chocolate and jaffa and crowned with a salted caramel popcorn macaroon. Handmade honey comb and popping candy Maltesers exploded in our mouths as we tasted our way down the strawberry jelly ‘red carpet’ to a solid slice of gold dusted Valrhona chocolate.
Dean Gibson had promised us something, not seen before in this fair city. There was no doubt about that, and along with a sensational meal by Harry Callinan and a fantastic venue we had a night of regal proportions.
Check out the photos.
The Regal Cinema in Birmingham Gardens offered Epicureans an adventure that was more than just food. For many it was a place where where cinematic history and fond memories were shrouded in the thick red velvet that draped the stage and graced the chairs. For all it was a place where thoughts of food turn to hot dogs, pop corn and choc tops.
Beautifully restored to its former glory, The Regal welcomed guests with its freshly painted foyer, polished timber floors and plush red velvet chairs filling the front of the hall. The footlights spread a luxuriant warmth from the stage curtains throughout the room. 1940‘s lamps and furniture took you back in time and a fabulous retro mirror set off the centre table. In the rear half of the room, three long tables were set for 50 guests with rose filled vintage vases and fanned napkins.
Served from a timber vending tray, a Candy Bar Dog was a fun start to the night. This dish born from the combined minds from our two chefs. Hunter Valley chef, Harry Callinan’s, hand made chipolatas were wrapped in tiny sour dough brioche rolls baked by our special guest, Dean Gibson, one of Australia’s best pastry chefs. The sweetness of the roll and the caramelised onion was perfect with the strong flavours of the ‘dog’ within.
Of course, a trip to the Regal wouldn’t be complete without also indulging in a film. The evening began with two short, sweet films. “Pop’s Dream” was written and produced by our two most dedicated Epicureans, Christopher Saunders and Vanessa Bates. The second, the runner up in this year’s Tropfest, “Better than Sinatra”, by Jefferson Grainger. The screeings provoked smiles and laughter and everyone fell in love with Sydney pensioner, Raymond, who was the star of the second film.
A popcorn topped cup of sweet corn chowder, arrived during interval. It was smooth and thick, perfect for sipping during the second film. The basil butter popcorn adding a cinematic crunch.
Harry had scoured his own vegetable garden and his Hunter Valley connections for the freshest and best to lay on our table. Shared dishes of warm roasted beets, jerusalem artichoke, organic Lovedale rocket, Binnore goats cheese croquettes and kipflers tossed with chermoula and fresh lemon began to fill the tables. As we took our seats and anticipated the accompanying main dish of the meal, Rolf de Heer’s silent film, Dr Plonk, rolled in the background.
The Main Feature of our meal began to spill from the kitchen. A large portion of free range Bangalow pork belly so moist and tender it almost melted away beneath its crispy skin. A generous smear of carrot puree and a drizzle of wattle seed caramel with apple walnut slaw made for a deliciously warming supper for a winter’s evening.
Like all good films the climax was yet to come. The Golden Ticket! Dean Gibson’s Gobsmacking, Scrumdidlyumcious Chocolate Bar. He had brought the candy bar from the foyer to our plates. Like children in a chocolate factory, we experienced our dessert. Each mouthful a delicious surprise. The bar contained layers of silky smooth mousse like textures flavoured with chocolate and jaffa and crowned with a salted caramel popcorn macaroon. Handmade honey comb and popping candy Maltesers exploded in our mouths as we tasted our way down the strawberry jelly ‘red carpet’ to a solid slice of gold dusted Valrhona chocolate.
Dean Gibson had promised us something, not seen before in this fair city. There was no doubt about that, and along with a sensational meal by Harry Callinan and a fantastic venue we had a night of regal proportions.
Check out the photos.
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