Aria

6.3 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  3     

Aria was good when it first started, but seems to have gone 'up itself'. It has become so pretentious. The service is that uncomfortable 'sir', 'madam' repeated over and over again, and cloying, insincere, and the kind of claptrap that they learn in hospitality school.

And there's a dress code! In Brisbane in the twenty first century!

I think wearing a baseball cap on a hot summers day is acceptable, but not for Aria. It wasn't dirty, torn, or otherwise offensive. Yet I was asked to remove said cap as it might somehow bring Western Civilization to its knees at this particular lunchtime.

It felt like I'd walked into a 1950's RSL club and was besmirching the Australian Head Of State (HM The Queen)- unbelievable. And I told them so, but to no avail. Cap off if I wanted to eat. Nothing like a little blackmail as an appetizer to start a meal.

Meanwhile the office set we're wearing their cheap polyester suit pants and sweat stained shirts and crumply ties - very smart.

The food itself is still very good. (8/10) But the servings are less than filling, so one needs to order an entree and a dessert if one is to feel fed.

But the prices have become outrageous. Its extortion really. Example: $9.50 for a glass of mineral water.

For a restaurant that wants to charge on average $45 for a main, at lunchtime, I think its had its day.

Only the gullible, or silly cashed up will keep this going. I won't be back. Pity, as the food was good.

Mar 09, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  6      Value  6     

A table of four we had the degustation menu of 11 courses and wines. Very interesting indeed. I felt it was rushed even though we were there for 4 hours.
Service was ok but had many people serving us which I don't like. Views are amazing and wine list is top rate. Fully booked so call ahead. Price for 4 people $1000. Overall it was fun to try.

Dec 20, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

Ok now this is a restaurant that hit's you in the hip. Firstly Matt is never at the restaurant. Second the food is so small you need to eat when you go home. Third Staff what can I say. They are rude.

May 21, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  4     

Overpriced. Save your money. I've eaten at wine bars with food just as good for half the price. Lovely location, view and ambience. Left feeling disappointed at paying so much for slightly above average food. Also average wines at hugely inflated prices! Save your money for Tetsuya's. Skip Aria for a wine bar.

Apr 27, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  4     

We've been to this restaurant on two occasions now and were, unfortunately, disappointed both times. Given their prices and that they regard themselves as a top high-end fine dining restaurant, the food really is below par.

The accompanying sauces often don't match the rest of the dish, the fish I ate on this occasion was under-seasoned (though it was well cooked), the prawns that came with the fish were obviously pre-cooked and were over cooked as well as being cold in the middle, all of which is not acceptable when you're paying $50 for the meal. The chocolate dessert had way too much butter/filler which overpowered the chocolate and left me feeling queasy and bloated (which is unusual for me).

Overall, the service and atmosphere are very good but the food was not good enough for the money they charge and I must say that I've eaten at far better restaurants for less $. I'm always happy to pay good money for good food but in this case the prices cannot be justified.

Apr 23, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

Great meal. Food as good as I have tasted anywhere in a restaurant of this type.
Service was excellant. Staff well trained and attentive but not overbearing.
It is expensive but for a special occasion is just the type of place to go to.
Highlight is the coffee the barista actually had the patience to make it with great skill.

Apr 12, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Aria did not disappoint me one bit! I had the Veal and it was the most amazing dinner experience. The bread and gaspachio to start off with was just beautiful and everyone was truely happy with their main meals. Really filling so did not have dessert. The service was also great, very attentive indeed. Loved this food experience!

Apr 11, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

We went there for our New Years Eve dinner which was a choice of 5 entrees/mains/desserts, followed by coffee and petit fours. We ordered oysters and peking duck consomme to start with which were excellent. Our mains of fish and chicken were designed and cooked to perfection, light,tasty and all flavours well balanced and the desserts were equally good.

The selection of cheeses could have been a bit more generous. Service by a nice swiss waiter and supporting staff was impeccable. Although not cheap, it was worth it from start to finish. We will be back.

Jan 04, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

My experience at Aria was one the best I have had in Brisbane. The steak was fantastic and the wine list excellent. Service started off great but seemed to fade a bit after our mains, however, we loved the ambience and although the prices are probably a bit high, I would definitely return.

Jul 04, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Was very excited to dine here but quite disappointed in the end. Went out to dinner with clients. The lighting in the room was really dull that we could not really see our food. Ordered Oysters for Entree and they were so small, one was as big as a 10c piece. Mains were nice and the portion was fine. I expected more for dessert but it was ok. Left a little unsatisfied or maybe my expectations were too high?

Jun 18, 2010