Grand Hotel

This historic pub across the street from the Newcastle courthouse is a meeting place for lawyers, cops, journos and the uptown business crowd. What you overhear in this crowded, friendly space could be tomorrow's headlines. The bistro has carved out a good reputation with great-value daily specials and quick turnaround. The daily chicken curry rice special ($10) is enough to keep a poor man healthy. Want more? There's breakfast daily and good coffee any time; excellent bar service; a simple but adequate wine list; and a relaxing pool room at the back. Tuesday night jazz downstairs draws a younger crowd.