By Mel Fernandez
(photo of Chef Dino Isla, supplied)
Warkworth is an exciting gateway to the Matakana Coast Wine Country. From this historic township you can easily access the main highway to Tawharanui, Mahurangi East, Matakana, Goat Island, Leigh and Pakiri.
Warkworth has a great selection of shops and several popular cafes and restaurants. It is the perfect pit-stop on your way to and from the Matakana Coast.
One of the cafés in town will be of particular interest. It is called LET IT BREW, a Beatles themed cafe run by Dino Isla, a Filipino chef.
They serve great coffee, delicious all-day breakfast and lunch menus and an array of awesome, freshly made cabinet food. Scones and muffins are baked each morning.
From time to time Chef Dino introduces Filipino dishes and desserts to showcase his cultural roots.
He successfully introduced Ensaymada Scones and Arroz Caldo, both well received by the local community. Over the Covid-19 lockdown he introduced takeaway Chicken Breast Adobo served on banana leaves and Pork Sisig on pandesal. He has also introduced Crema de Mangga and an Iced Gulaman drink.
Another crowd favourite is Ditzi Dog, named with the combination of his name and that of his wife, Mitzi. It is pretty much the Filipino hotdog on a bun with generous toppings of their special mayo, bacon bits and grated cheese.
The cafe is neat and tidy with Beatles music filling the air amidst an impressive family-owned collection of Beatles memorabilia.
It is hard to miss LET IT BREW in the corner of the main street with its exterior wall painted with the image of four people, unmistakably the Beatles, holding coffee cups while walking through a pedestrian crossing, reminiscent of the famous Abbey Road.
First appeared in Travel Galore: http://www.travelgalore.nz
