Zest - the very name stimulates the tastebuds with the promise of culinary delights: fresh produce, perfectly prepared. But more than a mere name underscores the credentials of this elegant restaurant, nestled in the centre of Port Stephens’ main dining enclave at Nelson Bay.
Zest boasts an impeccable reputation, evidenced by its award of a prestigious “chef’s hat” – the toque – by the respected Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide: it’s the only restaurant to hold the distinction across eastern NSW between Newcastle to the south and Bellingen in the north. In a tribute to Zest’s continuing high standards, it has retained the accolade across four successive years, whilst also garnering other industry awards.
To maintain the restaurant’s commitment to quality, head chef and owner Glenn Thompson begins preparations for the evening early in the day. He’s on hand to take a special delivery, for example, of Margaret River truffles and supervise venison being readied for an entrée plate. A sous chef meticulously grinds fragrant parmesan while Thompson sets to expertly deboning and tying off sections of Flinders Island suckling lamb. These will be slowly pot roasted with capers, anchovies, lemon, white wine and stock until they reach melting tenderness, just in time for dinner.
Whether it be a corporate lunch or an intimate dinner party Zest Restaurant is the ideal place to be, with multi award winning food, service and great wine making any event special. Zest Restaurant has a private dining room that seats up to 14 guests, dining rooms seating up to 60 guests and also a private courtyard for pre-dinner drinks and canapés
