Gateway Tavern - Mildura

It was a lovely day for al fresco dining so we decided to give Verde another go. The menu is still limited mainly to pizza, burgers, schnitzels, with no seafood offering apart from calamari. My husband ordered pizza which was huge (small or medium not...an option) so was only able to eat half of it. I tried the calamari which was so oily that I can only surmise the fryer wasn't anywhere near hot. Imagine paying $18.90 and then having to use your napkin to squeeze out the excess grease...yuk! Anyway if I'm feeling like having fish for lunch I will have to go elsewhere because wait staff said you can only get fish inside the tavern. We are local, not stupid.

A newly opened, al fresco and refurbished indoor venue. We had a light lunch al fresco at Verde which offered a pleasant airy atmosphere. Our meals were tasty, but at City Metro prices, as were wines by the glass. The food and wine list was...OK but not extensive and the 100% markup on bottled wine was particularly unwelcome. We live locally, so will consider other options before returning.

Environment OK. Busy but relaxed atmosphere Seniors meals little choice. Only 1 Seniors meal deal to select from Food Quality : 1. steak was covered with thick gravy. Unable to see the cut between lean meat vs fat. Fair amount...of fat on a slender piece. Didn't enquire how we like it cooked. 2. Battered barramundi cooked well Drinks no selection of zero alcohol beer nor any weekly special. Wait time about 30 min+

I ordered the mixed grill, medium cooked. The steak was inedible, if there was meat in amongst the fat gristle, I couldn’t find it. Also it was “cooked” rare. The cob of corn was stone cold, and the rest of the meal was cool...(in temperature). I have suffered through some awful meals over the years, but this steak is the first that I was unable to eat at all. My advice, if you’re after a steak based meal go somewhere else.

We waited for over 40 minutes and had to inquire about our meal. My cake and salad came without the salad. The dish should have included carrots on top, as they were dried and burnt, making it inedible. Another friend did not receive any salad with her meal. We will not be returning, as the service was rushed and disappointing.