Winter at Jana brings a new menu and a new era
It was 2017 when we first learned that the art and design-focused hotel brand QT would be moving into the heritage-listed David Jones building, bringing with it a new and exciting future for the Newcastle Mall and city centre.
On our initial introduction, the transformation could only be described as breathtaking with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows creating a dramatic yet welcoming space.
Sophistication oozes throughout the entire building, especially as you enter the hotel’s dedicated dining area, Jana – a secluded and exquisitely-styled 75-seater restaurant space.
As winter settles over Newcastle, QT’s signature dining destination, Jana Restaurant & Bar, ushers in the season with a striking new menu and the arrival of a new Executive Chef at the helm – Carmine Mari.
Executive Chef Carmine Mari
Steeped in Italian tradition and grounded in soulful simplicity, the refreshed offering is a celebration of flavour, finesse, and the art of slowing down.
Chef Carmine Mari, born in the southern Italian town of Eboli and raised in his family’s pizzeria, brings a lifetime of culinary passion and heritage to the QT Newcastle kitchen. Having honed his skills in some of Melbourne’s most revered dining institutions – including Becco and QT Melbourne’s Pascale Bar & Grill – Carmine’s approach is instinctive and ingredient-led.
“At Jana, I believe the simplest dishes often tell the most powerful stories. It’s about respecting ingredients, enhancing their natural character, and creating food that feels both comforting and vibrant. A touch of garlic, a flicker of fennel seed, a hint of chilli, these subtle details bring the dishes to life,” Carmine said.
And that ethos shines through in every dish on the new winter menu. From the dry-aged duck served with celeriac, braised radicchio, and a red wine reduction, to the classically prepared vitello tonnato – with its finely sliced veal, silky tuna dressing, and gentle acidity.
Pasta lovers will be delighted to know that all pasta is made in-house, entirely by hand. Highlights include a mortadella and pistachio lasagne layered with silky bechamel and buttery crunch. And for a taste of true indulgence, guests can enjoy handmade potato gnocchi topped with West Australian truffle, shaved tableside and paired with nutty aged cheese.
But the innovation doesn’t stop at the dinner menu. Under Carmine’s direction, QT Newcastle’s renowned QTea High Tea experience returns with a sparkling twist.
Now offered as a bottomless experience, QTea pours free-flowing Mumm Marlborough alongside a decadent tower of flaky savouries, hand-cut sandwiches, warm scones, and indulgent sweets – perfect for leisurely afternoons and a little weekday luxury.
Crafted to comfort, meant to share, and always made con amore, this is winter dining at Jana – where flavour meets familiarity, and simplicity is celebrated in every dish.
