Newcastle's first soccer game was played in 1885 across the road from this suburban hotel. Today the hotel keeps up the tradition as sponsor of Lambton Jaffas Soccer Club. Service in the family-friendly Lambton Kitchen was almost too quick at 6pm on a Saturday: we hadn't finished the prawn bruschetta entree when the mains arrived. The roast pork cutlet and glazed stuffed apple with roasted chats, apple sauce and crispy sage is highly recommended. Service became a little harder to come by once the restaurant filled up and we almost gave up waiting for the cookies and cream cake. But it's a relaxing Federation-style hang-out with a welcoming feel.