I really, really want to like this place, amazing views overlooking Newcastle Beach, lovely al fresco dining area in sea breeze and tasteful, contemporary fitout. The problem is consistency... I've dined there at least 3 times now and it has ranged from 2/5 to 5/5 in quality. Most recently dined there with another couple and there was heated debate over the quality of the dishes... the bruschetta uses quality sliced tomato but lacks the punch of red onion and the bread was limp and a little disappointing. The paella promised much but didn't deliver the clean, fresh distinct tastes expected of this popular Spanish working class dish. The Fillet Mignon was better but a little overcooked and the young barman was celarly out of his depth with the margaritas which were arguably the worst I've ever been served... I suspect Margarita mix was used rather than squeezing fresh limes, either way it was sickly sweet and flat. On the upside desserts were excellent and the location washing away many of the sins on the table... I'll persist however for the lcoation and the hope consistency will return.

Approximate cost: $30

The makeover of one of the historic Lee Wharf buildings gave the developers of this new watering hole a great canvass from which to do something great. Have they succeeded? Partly. The redevelopment and design as what you might expect for Newcastle... fairly good, contemporary without being architecturally visionary. Anyway it's basically the Brewery for the 2000's - a large booze barn blessed with a harbour location which will be great in Summer. Downsides? Aside from the unique building it's otherwise generic with the usual developer cut corners... sadly there's an enourmous "state of the art" Pub Tab/Pokie/Plasma wall which overwhelmes and dominates the interior in many ways. You can try escaping to the mezzanine level which is a great addition however the noise from the hordes below and the dog races on the wall kill any chance of intimate conversation. Refuge can be sought outside however, if you can get a seat. Unfortunately there is no seperate restaurant so you have to queue up with drunken patrons to order your burger and wedges. If you can tolerate the crowds and a venue squarely aimed at cashed up Gen Yers then it's a pleasant place to be on a summer's day

A wonderful asset to Newcastle's bar scene and a great alternative to the large bogan booze barns which otherwise dominate. Mercifully it passes the 4 P's test... No plasmas, No Pokies, No Ponies and No Pulled beer. Like the nearby Longworth this is where you go if you actually want to have a conversation. Tastefully decorated with Indo-Chinese and provincial antiques and immediately next door to the new Sebel Hotel. Staff are very pleasant, friendly and helpful. There is a real buzz about this place at the moment and summer will be great in their alfresco area. The tapas menu, like the drink list is small but of high quality. The arancini balls and chilli cuttlefish are sensational. The only real downside is they do not offer table service which seems inconsistent with a bar designed to attract a more sophisticated drinker there for great conversation, drinks and tapas. Otherwise I highly recommend this new venue.

Arguably the grooviest place to have a drink on a Friday. Faux felt textured wallpaper, chandelier lighting, ornante mirrors within a contemporary space. The best cocktails in Newcastle with an innovative new menu and creatively written too. David Cartwright does great work in the kitchen and Silo deserves its many awards.

Approximate cost: $35

I regularly dine or drink at Bacchus. Unquestionably one of the finest venues in a spectacular old theatre. At it's best it offers a 1 chef hat dining experience if not better. Nothing beats cocktails and tapas in their bar. The champagne list needs some work however. Main problem is I sense declining service and food standards. My last 2 visits were slightly dissappointing with unhelpful service, inconsistent food quality and the tapas menu has shrunk somewhat. I believe they are funding a cocktail bar upstairs but I hope this is not at the expense of the fine food and service which gained them a strong following from the beginning.

Approximate cost: $35

Service is typical of a take away bakery, nothing more. The major problem appears to be the obsession with their price point of $1. Of course this appears to be amazing value but value is more than just the cheapest. Ask yourself how can a bakery make money on a $1 pie? Mass production can help but as time marches on it gets harder to sustain this so something has to give... the pies get smaller and the ingredients get cheaper and lower in quality. The pies do appear to be quite low in fat (for a pie!) but they're hardly the best quality pie and how can you expect that for $1? Great if taste, quality or size isn't important.

Approximate cost: $1