Hearth & Soul

Rachel Jelley has already earned fans with her seasonal pop-up feasts, which centre around natural food and conscious dining. Now, the cook's philosophies have a permanent bricks-and-mortar home, thanks to the opening of Newtown eatery Hearth & Soul.

Celebrating locally sourced, organic and pasture-raised produce, Jelley is aiming to reconnect diners with what's on their plate. Speaking to that more mindful food experience, there's a custom open kitchen — which also hosts a program of conscious cooking classes — plus a communal feasting table and a lounge area opening onto the kitchen's own organic herb garden.

As for the eats, Mother Nature's bounty reigns supreme across a seasonal menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes on weekends, as well as a dinner service from Thursday–Saturday.

You might find yourself tucking into a hearty pot of slow-braised lamb and barley, teamed with flavours of bay, rosemary and thyme ($30), or maybe handmade gnocchi starring pea tendrils, broad bean shoots and green garlic sauce ($27). Winter offerings also include the spiced sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce ($12), as well as seasonal sips like the mimosa-inspired blend of crimson snow apple, wild orange and prosecco ($13). Meanwhile, a largely local selection of wines and brews rule the rest of the drinks offering.

Images: Yasmin Mund