The deliciously named Honeysuckle Drive has sprouted several popular eateries in Newcastle's reborn waterside precinct, including this cornerside bistro with its almost Scandinavian blondeness. Co-owner Jacqueline Brown was Young Chef of the Year in 2005 at Sean's Panaroma in Bondi, before transplanting to Newcastle with husband Tom. Sprout is a sunny spot by day and candlelit by night, pulling in the locals with a breezy, mostly modern Mediterranean menu. Dishes change in style from a carefully arranged mess of sardines, olives, goat's cheese and chunky romesco sauce to an elegant, smooth green pea soup enriched with mascarpone, wearing crisp hats of artichoke and prosciutto. They can also do hearty, as in a chunky and slightly clunky braise of goat ragu with silky herbed pappardelle, and crisped pork belly with a lovely crumbed croquette of pig's head. Rhubarb fritters come with sticky caramelised orange and a fresh, clean-tasting goat's cheese sorbet - a bit over the top, but in a good way.