Do you know what a pide is?

My trip to Newcastle in the state of New South Wales in Australia was less than exciting. After getting lost trying to find Port Stephens and arriving in Newcastle instead around 7 p.m. on a Sunday, I didn't realize the retail hours were nearing their end. An hour of hotel searching put me at around 8 p.m., and after a run and a shower, I was nearing 10 p.m. when city exploration was top on the agenda. Little did I know that Sundays are not the liveliest of days in Newcastle.

As I walked down the stairs and entered the hotel (yes hotel, ALL the hostels were full) bar, the bartender gave me a weird look. Before I could even open my mouth, he told me they were done serving. At 10 p.m. in Newcastle on a Sunday, bars close. What made this even worse was this particular Sunday happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. The question of places open late, even just for some food and beer, seemed to completely rack his brain. After a few unsatisfactory answers (the bar up the street was open until 11 p.m.) he finally asked me, “Do you know what a pide is?” While I mistook what he said for the word “pita,” I answered yes, and he pointed me in the direction of the only late night food joint around.

Though the town seemed like it only catered to spirits unable to pass on to the afterlife, there was one shining light for night owls; Pide Fez. For those of you unaware like me, a pide is a Turkish food that almost resembles a beautifully, handcrafted, flatbread pizza. Ingredients at Pide Fez ranged anywhere from meat lovers to vegetarian, and for the bold, PF even offered a pide boasting “the lot.” The pides here were big enough to split between two (or purchase one for two meals) and only cost $10.  This was the perfect meal for a ravenous post-workout traveler.

While my St. Patty’s Day wasn't fantastic, my trip to Pide Fez definitely made me enjoy Newcastle. The food was exquisite and the Turkish owner is a complete charmer. Fair warning though, be nice to him and along with your meal you may even take home some fresh, free ingredients to make pides in the comfort of your own home.

Photo courtesy of Bobo’s Bistro