Bistro Tartine

We dined here last night for my mother's birthday and to be quite honest I was appalled with the service and the overpriced mediocre food. Although reasonably busy it took well over 30 mins to be given a menu and about another 30 mins for our orders to be taken. My entree of prawn cocktail consisted of 4 tiny thawed out frozen prawns on a bed of lettuce drowned in mayonaise. Next the free range chicken- a breast and one leg was overcooked and leathery at one end and raw at the other. It was presented in a salt broth that was supposed to be a consomme. Dessert was not much better with 2 choices unavailable. My trio of sorbet came out minus the citrus salad. When asked we were told they had run out of that too. My one star is for the coffee- maybe they should switch to being a cafe 08/01/2012

This popular suburban Newcastle "French bistro" mostly gets it right at prices that would be considered almost cheap in Sydney. The traditionally structured menu has about 8 entrees, mains and desserts, bistro favourites that are well executed, often with unexpected flavours and twists to keep it interesting. Service is excellent: attentive, efficient, knowledgeable, friendly without being overly familiar. Needs are anticipated without fuss or intrusion, e.g extra bread to mop up sauce with scallops, water and drink refills. Good quality produce is well cooked and presented, never too tricked-up or pretentious. Highly recommended for a special night out or treat, but not too expensive that you would think twice about going. Some minor quibbles: bread rolls ($2.50 each) were disappointing, lighting takes dim a little too far, spectacular steak/bearnaise sauce/salad crying out for hand cut chips, seemed like frozen. Overall, an excellent, quality dining experience. 21/04/2011