In the wake of the Australia Day celebrations, our folks brought us to the local pub hotel. We've…read morebeen to the Bowlo during a preceding visit, and though the Chinese was good, what I really craved was a good steak. And I wasn't disappointed. The Kootingal Hotel has ample angle parking on the street on both sides of the road and plenty of space to manoeuver your ute around. Ambience *** The outdoor seating of the hotel is the cream of the crop. If it weren't a drizzly miserable day we'd have been enjoying the ambience outside sitting on timber benches at long tables, enjoying the bush background, and the new playground. Unfortunately we were stuck inside, where the atmosphere wasn't quite as 'Sunday BBQ' as I might have wanted, giving the outside seating longing looks throughout our meal. The inside dining area is in need of the same upgrade outside has received. The plastic ivory provides the slightest of possible improvements. The moment the stiff blue carpet and old school canteen style furniture goes, it needs to go with it. The saving grace of the dining area is the artwork gracing the walls. Typical Aussie style comical art offsets what would be a bland and boring setting. It will take some ingenuity of the owners to bring this space to life. But on reflection, if the relaxed outside look is as easily accomplished as it looks, maybe they won't have any trouble. Service *** This looks like the kind of place high schoolers come to work on their off-school hours. I wasn't overly impressed with the service, but I have no major complaints. It would be nice if we received a few more smiles, or a bit more geniality from staff, but at the same time there were no scowls or grumps around. Nothing particularly impressive, but nothing to turn me off. Food **** Damn, the steak was good. I regularly order anywhere between blue and very rare, and if only slightly oily, the steak was juicy as I could have loved. The juices soaked the chips buried underneath to bloody, salty, crunchy sticks of... just yum. The sauce wasn't exciting, but mushroom sauce rarely is unless it's done with a lot of love, and I didn't feel it this time around. The salad was fresh and crisp, belying my expectation, given the setting. Everyone except hubby had a steak, but he chose a burger (typical habit). The schnitzel burger looked as appetising as the photo shows, and he thought the chicken tasted 'like real chicken' as opposed to bought in fresh-frozen options some kitchens choose. Drinks **** Unlike the local Bowlo, the house wine doesn't come in a cask, and I actually enjoyed it along with my steak. The prices was right as expected, and we went away with happy tiddly buzzes. Overall A nice little venue to have a steak and a beer - as long as the sun's shining long enough you can use the outside dining area. There are a handful of pokies and sports betting facilities for those of you wanting to prolong your visit.

Great feed and fast service in a busy period. Friendly service and food was deliciousread more