by Janelle (
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I like to participate in life rather than be a spectator. Music, dancing, theatre, travelling, food, cycling and walking are some of my passions. Writing is an enjoyable pastime that allows me to share my experiences.
Commonwealth Hotel Newcastle stands on the corner of Union and Bull Streets, Cooks Hill. The old pub has been given a makeover in decor and food.
A Newcastle icon (image from Facebook page)
The meals on offer are not your usual pub grub, although they do offer standards such as fish & chips, steak and chicken schnitzel. The
menus and specials are on the tables and you order and pay at the register. Drinks are available from the adjacent bar where they have craft beers on tap and glasses of wine from $7. When it is not busy, the friendly waitress brings the meals to the table but they also have buzzers for self-collection at busy times.
Beautiful surrounds
The bruschetta of roasted truss tomatoes, whipped goats curd, dehydrated olive crumbs and ciabatta bread was great value at $8.90. Other starters for this price include flower pot bread with black garlic and sweet potato wedges with guacamole.
Colourful entree
The 300g steak was well cooked and tasty and the spring lamb loin with roasted baby vegetables was almost too pretty to eat. Every element on the plate complemented the other and the truffled pea purée added flavour and colour. The mains were great value at $25.90 and we were too full to try interesting sounding desserts such as the Tim Tam Tart.
Steak and pepper sauce
They are child-friendly and have $9.90 kids meals and the beer garden would be a lovely place to have a long lazy lunch. The hotel can provide for functions and the outdoor area was reserved the day we went.
Roast with a twist
During the week Commonwealth Hotel has $11 lunch specials that change on a fortnightly basis.There are vegetarian meals and menu items are marked as vegetarian, gluten free and or dairy free. Parking is on the nearby streets.
Pleasant outlook
The hotel also has good value accommodation upstairs, a TAB area and runs charity meat raffles, trivia nights and footy tipping contests. In the bar area there are plenty of TVs playing sports channels and there is a more old school pub vibe.
