Roundhouse — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

Overall very good experience. Our main waitress was very nice and kept us well taken care of. A couple of areas for improvement though, otherwise I would've given 5 stars.

My wife and I had the degustation menu. The food was very good quality, however very small serving sizes which I understand is to be expected in these situations. Two of the six dishes were fish. Bonito and Barramundi. They were both very tasty dishes, However, I advised them prior to arrival that my wife does not eat fish and asked them if we could supplement the fish for another meat for her 2 fish dishes. The waitress was very nice and went to asked the chef. She came back and told us that Chef said, if we wanted to supplement the fish on my wife's dishes, the chef would only do it for both of our dishes. So, half a star lost here as I would expect for $160 per head that this should not have been an issue, and didn't believe that supplementing the fish for both of our dishes was necessary for this issue to be resolved, given the price we were paying for the meal.

The other half star was lost due to one of the waitresses, I can only assume from inexperience and lack of attention to detail.

The first dish was brought to us by a waitress wearing a surgical mask (the only one wearing a mask). The problem with this was that we had no idea what she was saying to us when she placed the dishes on our table. If you're sick, stay home, but if you're not sick and going to be interacting with customers, lose the mask.

The other thing that I need to mention about this waitress's conduct, was that she seemed to be rushing around with the plates in her hand and was very unsteady with the dishes, I thought that all the food was going to fly off the plate while she was approaching the table, she then placed them down quite abruptly on the table, reaching over the table from the opposite side. She then place my plate on top of my folded up napkin that was still sitting on top of the table and did not seem to realise this, so my plate was now tilted on a 25 degree angle. I didn't understand why she didn't come up next to both of us individually to place the dishes in front of us, making sure our napkins or anything else wasn't still sitting on the table where she was going to place the dishes? I would advise some additional training for this waitress on the finer details of customer service at a fine dining restaurant. So half a star lost there.

Otherwise the experience, location and service was for the most part exceptional and would recommend trying this restaurant to anybody that appreciates fine foods, good wines, great water and city views and...

Review of Chef's Signature 6-Course Tasting Menu at The Roundhouse Restaurant, Crystal Brook

Rating: ★★★★★

Nestled in the picturesque Crystal Brook, The Roundhouse Restaurant has truly outdone itself with its Chef's Signature 6-course tasting menu. This culinary journey is not just a meal; it's a celebration of local, seasonal excellence that showcases the best of what the region has to offer.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, the ambiance set the perfect tone for our dining experience. The warm lighting and elegant décor create a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere that invites you to relax and indulge.

Each course of the tasting menu was a masterpiece in its own right, meticulously crafted and beautifully presented. The first course, a delicate amuse-bouche, was a delightful introduction that tantalized our taste buds and hinted at the creativity to come.

As we progressed through the menu, it became evident that Chef was committed to using locally sourced ingredients. Each dish was a reflection of the season, bursting with vibrant flavors and showcasing the finest produce. Highlights included a perfectly seared local fish accompanied by seasonal vegetables and a rich, aromatic sauce that elevated the dish to new heights. The harmony of flavors in each course was nothing short of extraordinary.

One standout moment was the palate cleanser, a refreshing sorbet that was as visually appealing as it was delicious. It provided a perfect transition to the heartier courses that followed, including a succulent meat dish that was cooked to perfection, tender and bursting with flavor.

Dessert was a fitting finale to this gastronomic adventure. The chef’s creativity shone through in a decadent dessert that balanced sweetness with a hint of tartness, leaving us with a lasting impression of the meal.

The attentive staff contributed significantly to our experience, providing knowledgeable insights into each dish and ensuring our glasses were never empty. Their passion for the culinary arts and the local produce was evident, enhancing the overall experience.

In conclusion, the Chef's Signature 6-course tasting menu at The Roundhouse Restaurant is a must-try for any food lover. It is a beautiful celebration of local, seasonal excellence that not only delights the palate but also embodies the spirit of the region. This culinary journey is one that I will cherish and eagerly recommend to others. Whether you're a local or just visiting, make sure to treat yourself to this exceptional...

Appearances can be deceiving. On arrival, service was good. My margarita in the bar before dinner was excellent. Very pleasant to observe the view while entering this restaurant. When seated, it was so dark we couldn’t read the menu. We asked for the lights to be brightened so we could make our choices. We were told that was not possible because lighting was automated. I then asked for a second fake candle for our table to try to read the menu. It came and I could still not read the menu properly. The situation was ridiculous. For convenience, I indicated I would have the same choice as my friend. We ordered a bottle of bubbles. The waitress couldn’t remove the cork. She walked away with the bottle towards the kitchen. She didn’t come back to serve the wine. While she was serving a nearby table, we asked a different waitress to find and serve us our wine. She retrieved the bottle which someone had opened (and left in the kitchen area) and poured our wine. Meanwhile, our first entree had already arrived before our drink was poured. First entree pan fried prawns, was excellent. Second entree( instead of a Main ), was dreadful: blue swimmer crab lasagne, drowning in a thick, heavy lobster bisque, which was more like a gluggy gravy. The ‘lasagne’ tasted like mush with no distinguishable flavour. My friend ate only half her portion, saying to me it tasted strange. I ate perhaps 80 per cent of mine, none of which I enjoyed, but I was quite hungry. My friend told the waitress we were very unhappy with the quality of this second course and to please tell the chef. She indicated she would.no-one responded to our negative comment. Throughout the second half of our time there, because the tables were placed so close together, we could hear a very unpleasant argument between the couple at the next table. Later that night and throughout the whole next day, my friend spent the day in bed, suffering dreadful vomiting and endless toilet visits. She was very unwell. My two previous visits to this restaurant were very enjoyable. This visit was a disaster, with the odd bit of niceness popping in, but not staying for long. I don’t think we will return. Our bill came to $270. Certainly not...