The Gateway Mildura, Mildura VIC

Had dinner with the family food was good service was top notch.

This pub use to be amazing meals now it's gone down hill. My friends steak was way over cooked and burnt it was black on the out side.

My steak was not the best quantity it was dry in some places, was meant to be rare came out medium, for the price very disappointing best thing is there chips...

Edit after response: They claim it's a logistics issue with a aseperate kitchen, but it's literally the same area, with Verde being the outdoor section. So if you want to sit outside, they raise the average cheque (have a more expensive menu with the same food suppliers.) That's all it is. So if you want fresh air, you must pay more money. It shows where we were sitting in the photo. Such a logistics issue. It's better if you just don't reposed and stop using chat gpt.

The Gateway is attempting to position Verde as a standalone, upscale restaurant with a higher price point, which makes sense for raising the average check. However, the execution of this strategy has some clear shortcomings, particularly when it clashes with the family-friendly atmosphere of the rest of the venue.

I recently visited and was seated in the outdoor Verde area, hoping to enjoy the more refined setting. However, when I tried to order from the sports bar menu, I was rudely informed that I could not do so while sitting in the Verde space. This felt like a disconnect between the upscale dining concept of Verde and the practical reality of The Gateway being a regional pub that's popular with families and children. Many families, myself included, appreciate the flexibility of ordering from the sports bar, which offers a more casual and accessible menu. Restricting this option felt unnecessarily rigid and unaccommodating.

While I understand that The Gateway is trying to elevate Verde, this strategy feels out of place within the context of a pub that caters primarily to families looking for a relaxed dining experience. It would make more sense to integrate the two areas more thoughtfully, perhaps by offering clearer communication about the menu boundaries or allowing some flexibility for those enjoying the outdoor area. As it stands, the current approach just seems frustrating, especially when the casual, family-friendly vibe of the pub clashes with the more exclusive feel of Verde.

I hope The Gateway can reconsider its approach to create a more seamless experience for guests, as the current setup just ends up irritating people rather than enhancing their visit.

The kids meals were good. Chips were good, brisket was good. Steak was smothered in sauce rather than served in a jug like pretty much everywhere I've been, this made me question the cut and quality of the steak; which was quite gristly. Sticky date was awful, only a drizzle of sauce and a couple of tablespoons of ice cream. One of the plates was also two random slices of dry edge rather one piece of pudding like the other.

The jug of soft drink also had bugs in it (twice). The bar staff rectified this when asked.

Kids zone is great if you have playground age kids. There is no expectation of quiet in there as it's seperate to the bistro.

Meat lovers pizza and South Coast Pale Ale. Atmosphere is great in the alfresco area with AFL, NRL & Olympics playing on the TV's. Lots of natural light with plenty of seating