The punchy gilda, bursting with salt and vinegar, and the velvety burnt Basque cheesecake may take you back to scoffing them on the streets of San Sebastián’s Old Town. The grand, curved archways, golden-honey tones and terracotta tiles sure do evoke a rustic Spanish-style villa. But those vineyard views – all gentle green hills and twisted vines – and award-winning tropical verdelho and party-ready sparkling chardonnay – are all the Hunter. This is Iron Gate Kitchen, a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant now open within Pokolbin’s celebrated and historic Iron Gate Estate. And you need to add it to your wine country hit list, now.
Opened in May this year, the fire-fuelled restaurant brings together punchy Iberian flavours and fine vino in a sunlit, communal-style space that’s the stuff of long lunch dreams. The 130-seat dining room features both indoor and alfresco seating – making it an ideal spot for your next weekend away with friends in the Hunter.
Iron Gate Kitchen is helmed by head chef Lara Hagan (ex-Circa 1876), with talented general manager Harrison Plant (ex-EXP) leading the front of house.
Hagan says: "In the winter, especially at Iron Gate Kitchen, it is all about bright sun-drenched courtyard lunches with seafood and semillon. Pair this then with a dinner elsewhere in the Valley that has a fireplace and serves big juicy reds, alongside with some really refined countryside produce. I swear you’ll find some of the best cooked lamb of your life in the Hunter."
Menu highlights include golden and crisp salt cod croquettes brightened with lemon juice; wood-fired flatbread topped with creamy stracciatella, ’nduja and fresh basil; slow-cooked caramelised lamb shoulder with a zippy salsa verde; and sizzling garlic prawns.
Iron Gate Kitchen’s wine list features Iron Gate Estate's award-winning drops by head winemaker Geoff Broadfield, who has been making wines in the region for more than 40 years – backed up by vino from friends across the Valley. Cocktails-wise, my pick is the Blood Orange Margarita, best enjoyed on the grass at sunset.
The beautiful architecture and chic, sun-drenched interior design is by Emilie Delalande of Etic – the same gun behind Redfern’s colourful Southeast Asian eatery, Island Radio.
Also a bonus: Iron Gate Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – which is good news if you’re feeling a little dusty in the AM and no one in your crew is keen to warm up the pans.
And one more thing: Iron Gate Estate’s Spanish-style villa, which sleeps up to 15 guests and boasts a lush swimming pool, stunning European design and plenty of entertaining areas, is available for hire. Hello, birthday parties, hen’s dos and weekends away with your people. Take it from me – it’ll be a weekend for the memory books.
You can find out more and book here.
Address: 178 Oakey Creek Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320.
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