Hutch, The

9.5 Highly Recommended

Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9      Food  10     

I think the Hutch Bistro is the best thing in the Northerly Regions, the quality of food surpasses most of the Brisbane City Restaurants. The service is Casual but professional, All the staff are constantly smiling, are approachable and were able to adequately explain all of the meals and describe them in a way that makes you almost "salivate" at the thought. I have been there several times, twice for lunch and once for Dinner and have always been impressed by the service. In Summary I highly recommend the Hutch for any occasion, never been let down!

Sep 24, 2010 

5.8 Average

Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  8      Food  9     

We previously dined at The Hutch at it's initial location in New Farm and had been very impressed with the food and quality of ingredients so were keen to re-visit at The Grange re-location. Dining on Saturday 28th August we had made a reservation so were initially dismayed to find our table was near an open stairwell to a downstairs carpark, behind a waiters station in their 'outside' section.

We asked to sit inside which caused consternation as the restaurant occupies a long narrow room, having only 4 tables on one side against a banquette (insufficient room for anyone more than a Size 12 to squeeze between tables by the way). The other side of the room features a long bar area leaving most of the floor space as an open 'corridor' to and from the kitchen.

So the majority of seating is outside the restaurant proper in an undercover area with plastic roll down blinds providing weather-proofing which would be fine except The Hutch also shares this area with adjacent 'Pizza Capers' and their tables were full of screaming kids that night. Concrete and hyper-active children VS adults wishing to spend money for a quality dining experience do not mix I'm afraid. The din was deafening and not conducive to a relaxing dining experience.

However, we were seated inside and I ordered the Confit Duck Cassoulet ($29) only to be advised the menu was changing and it was no longer available. As I needed to consider my alternative dish I asked if the waitress could return in a few minutes. We waited with menus for over 15 minutes more with staff walking up and down to the kitchen past us like we were invisible.

In the meantime, other diners seated after us had all had their orders taken, some by our original waitress. Finally, the staff behind the bar noticed us looking around and asked if we wanted anything. We explained the delay, our order was taken and meals dispatched before the next tables so obviously our wait had been mentioned and the kitchen had acted accordingly (the staff member who neglected to return did offer a genuine apology saying they had forgotten all about us).

So far, not so good. Just about all was redeemed though when we received our meals. Mine - Roasted Barramundi, Nicola potatoes, pot roast fennel, bacon, tomato salsa and Champagne cream ($30) was easily the best cooked piece of fish I have eaten this year, it was cooked to point, fresh, juicy and full of flavour with a deliciously crispy slashed skin (beautifully basted).

The entire dish was a delight to eat and I was hard pressed to leave a little for my dining partner to try. He chose the Sauteed garlic and chilli prawns, saffron risotto, rocket, tomato herb salsa ($28 and also available as an entree). Six bouncy fresh prawns were spiced with just the right amount of chilli and garlic to accent but not overpower the prawns taste. Cooked perfectly, they were set on the generous amount of risotto rendolent with saffron threads (again, just the right amount to give subtle mystery as against a bitterness so often experienced that comes from a heavy hand).

My only quibble with the risotto was the oil that leaked from it at the base of the plate, I'm not sure if it was from the sautee of the prawns or something splitting from the risotto. Our table was next to a cabinet full of tarts, friands, etc. (all around the $5 mark). Wait staff advised many people come into The Hutch for just a cake and coffee. I decided to purchase a Toblerone Tart and 2 Lemon Tarts to take home.

Appearance and Pastry were great but, unfortunately, the fillings lacked flavour profile, for example I tasted icing sugar rather than a tart lemon tang with one and a cloying creaminess rather than chocolate in the other. Also was rather surprised to discover the small round takeaway containers they were packed in had a small square of masking tape on them with faint marks - recycled containers from the kitchen? I hope not but fear they may have been.

All in all I preferred the previous venue as The Grange location presents very much as a casual cafe and not where you'd want to settle in for a long leisurely meal over 2 or more courses. As the senior staff/kitchen staff obviously has real talent and a deft hand this is a great shame for him as there's no doubting the freshness and quality of ingredients used at The Hutch.

Sep 04, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Went to Hutch for dinner and was very impressed. The menu is small but the range on offer is excellent. Specials widen the choices available. The presentation and quality of the food was excellent also. I couldn't fault the service. The wait staff were attentive and took the time to make conversation. Would definitely be back to sample breakfast and lunch. At last, a decent informal dining experience with excellent food in the Grange/Wilston.

Jan 29, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  9     

I would classify this as a restaurant rather than a bar. As such, I have found the food to be of a consistently high standard (rating a 10), prepared by a knowledgeable and very competent chef. The casual atmosphere is at odds with the high quality cuisine. The quality of the food makes it worthwhile returning.

Mar 23, 2009 

6.5 Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  8     

I had breakfast with some friends here this week. The coffee and food was excellent, but the service was dreadful. We sat down and waited for a while (wondering if, perhaps, there was no table service, which apparently there is) and when no one came to our table we had to get up and find our own menus. When someone finally came to take our order they didn't greet us, just asked what we wanted to order. We also had to ask for a jug of water for the table, which didn't show up until just before our meals did.

No one asked how our meals were, and everyone seemed to be rushing around crossly, as though they were very busy, even though the place was relatively quiet. The food was great though, and the coffee was lovely. The staff just acted like they'd all had a big night previously and didn't want to be there!

Feb 08, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I found the staff to be attentive and knowledgeable. The food was excellent and it wasn't over-salted like so much restaurant food. It was very reasonably priced.

Jan 13, 2009