Romberg's — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

We rang Crystalbrook Kingsleys Newcastle last Friday afternoon, just before 5 pm, & asked if there might be availability for 6 people to have a couple of cocktails at Rombergs before the dinner rush. We were told that there was availability. We arrived 5 minutes later. In the foyer, one of the 2 concierges told us that Romberg's was ' not yet open' and only the bar downstairs was the only bar open. It was 5 pm. Romberg's is a signature Crystalbrook Bar & this news was contrary to that in our previous phone call. A Friday afternoon...not open? Another person standing near us told of how they were told that there was no access to Romberg's 'because the lifts were unserviceable'. As he relayed this information, a lift opened, and people alighted the lift. Weird. So I asked the other concierge. She confirmed that Romberg's was open & that all was well to go on up. So, we did. On arrival, the staff member did not look cheery, but he seated us well enough. Other tables were available in the bar area,too. We told him of the confused messaging from the foyer concierges & he replied, "They have no idea what's going on up here." Not a cohesive management system going on at Crystalbrook Kingsleys? As we settled, we noticed that our table wasn't cleaned. The ambience was more shoddy than I recall from previous visits. Disappointing. Eventually, our cocktail orders were taken by the unsmiling staff member...classic orders, nothing fancy. They arrived ungarnished, barely chilled & tasted extremely ordinary. Unimpressive. One drink was certainly enough at Romberg's, despite the view, & we decided to relocate to the Q.T. nearby. On asking to pay the account, we were told that we couldn't pay separately for our 6 cocktails & that cash payment was unacceptable, too, because the 'register was broken. Such poor service & facilities when this property once held such promise. The Q.T. was exceptional in every way. At the Q.T., we enjoyed excellent cocktails, welcoming service & stayed for a beautiful dinner. The difference between the two properties was extraordinary. Sadly, it seemed apparent that management at Crystalbrook Kingsleys...

Booked this for birthday cocktails, had requested a table near the window, which wasn't provided, even though the booking was made 8 weeks in advance. Service was average, but completely ruined by being "evicted" from the table. We were offered drinks at 5.45 after being asked if we would like to order more drinks as we had 30 minute's left. we had the table til 6.15, at 5.55 we were then asked to pay and to start leaving the table. We still hadn't had the drinks from the order at 5.45, these arrived around 6.05, and we were then again asked to leave. Another bar tender then at 6.10 rudely said we now had to leave the area, and were ushered to the bar area with drinks in hand. For the level of service you'd expect at Romberg's it was not displayed, the waiters were surly and showed no empathy at all. They did not try and engage with us at all, it was a very brisk and rude "leave now". Wont be returning for sure, as the price of the cocktails are not worth the rudeness of the staff. Even the manager couldn't care less when we complained to him at the end of the...

When in Newcastle, be sure to book a table the Roundhouse restaurant. The view is spectacular, of the surrounding port area of the city. At the restaurant you can indulge in a delicious menu using locally produced ingredients and presented in a sophisticated way. We dined at the restaurant for lunch in a large group and had the three course menu designed for Christmas with and entree, main and dessert. Some of the standout dishes included the lightly cured line caught kingfish, green apple, celery, lemon balm. This was so delicious, light and refreshing. the Roasted free range duck breast, duck leg, beetroot, almond, cherries, a lovely Christmas option. Grain fed beef tenderloin, glazed carrot, onion, horseradish, peppercorn jus. Perfectly cooked and decent portion for sure. For drinks, the roundhouse has an extensive wine list inspired by wines from the Hunter Valley region, but in addition, there’s amazing cocktails. You can have the cocktails at the restaurant or specially visit...