Watt Restaurant & Bar

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

We normally go to Watt on Sunday afternoons for a relaxing drink by the river with my kids and dog in tow as they have a DJ playing and it's a really decent crowd.

We decided to try out Watt's pre-theatre menu ($35 for 1 course with Bread and Dips or $45 for 2 courses) before the 8pm show at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night, but on getting there we settled on the seafood platter for 2 instead. This was truly outstanding with lots of fresh seafood - oysters, hot and cold prawns, octopus, smoked salmon, fried calamari and fish n chips and only cost $79 which is unbelievably good value.

The wine list was very extensive and the manager's recommendation of a bottle of Henschke Peggy's Hill Riesling $45 to accompany our platter was the perfect match. The service was friendly without being intrusive and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant that was buzzing and filled up during our meal. As you can leave your vehicle in the car-park overnight we decided to skip dessert and had a couple of cocktails (Lemon Merengue and Vanilla Espresso Martini) before going to the show.

I was always under the impression that Watt was very expensive but was quite surprised that all the other mains were $30 and under. This was definitely one of the best dining experience I have had in Brisbane.

Nov 05, 2011 

5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  5     

Unfortunately, of the two glasses of wine we were served, one was full of tens of tiny flies, while the other glass has a few flies swimming in it. I returned these glasses of wine but received no apology, albeit they did replace the glasses. We were distressed and disappointed.

May 22, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

We ate at Watt on the weekend, arrived quite late after the festivities of river fire, the staff were accommodating, the food and wine amazing and dessert go the chocolate tart. Great spot and we will be back.

Sep 06, 2010 

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  2     

Terrible service, miserable waiter. Food appalling. Beautiful location only redeeming factor. Don't bother!

Aug 14, 2010 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  4     

Very poor dining experience for such a lovely location that has so much potential.
With friends up from Sydney, celebrating a birthday no less, the following ensued as follows: Rang to book for 4 people, and with some hesitation was told that nothing was available until 8.30 pm as the restaurant was busy. This was understandable so we locked in at 8.30 pm.

Arrive to see at least 6-7 tables around us empty, interesting. After much review of the menu, and a few queries answered 2 x parties were keen on the lamb neck. Just prior to order we are told that the kitchen has just run out of lamb neck. We could have been told earlier, perhaps, upon arrival. Minutes later we are then told the kitchen is out of oysters. Right?

Having now had to rejig orders, we all decide to order the $49 350g rib eye with a side of mash. We are then told the kitchen has run out of mash potato? Very poor. 1 party also requests broadbeans instead of green beans also. No problem we are told. Also ordered a bottle of shiraz, and a glass of merlot, however, are given a bottle of merlot and a glass of shiraz..?

Steaks arrive, 1 is like eating pure gristle and fat and clearly unedible. The same unedible steak was also supposed to have broad beans, but was served with green beans. We complained to the waiter who advised that the kitchen had told them that the batch/cut of ribeye was not good, so why do you serve it?

The dessert which was the cheesecake was equally poor, capping the comedy of errors and poor overall experience. Bad service, no communication, no food, wrong orders, just a very poor experience. Perhaps, of we had been able to get 1 of the numerous empty tables surrounding us at an earlier time there may have been food left in the restaurant.

Will never recommend to anyone, nor bring anybody else to dine there. Hopefully some decent management can take over the business as it offers so much potential. There are much better options in Brisbane which we recommend you consider before dining at Watt.

Jun 14, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Stunning location at sunset, we sat and drank Champagne and watched the boats go by on the river. Great menu, I recommend the lamb.

Mar 29, 2010 

5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  3     

Went here after a recommendation and started off well with attentive service and tasty, tasty bread rolls. However, the mains were lacking. Partner had the lamb and even though it was medium it was dry and the red wine sauce was too strong. We didn't stick around for dessert as nothing really appealed and we felt it would be a waste of money. For the prices I was really hoping for something nice and memorable.

Oct 12, 2009 

5.5 Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Although the service is always great, the food is far from that! I am not a fussy eater, but every time we go there I have difficulty in trying to find something that I would actually eat. The food is overpriced and not very nice, it is actually rather bland. This is just another fancy schmancy restaurant ripping people off.

Aug 07, 2009 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  1     

Maybe it was because we asked to sit near the riverside, or because we ate modestly at what is a very pricey restaurant, but it has been many years since someone put Epsom Salts in my coffee (that I asked for microwave hot but came out tepid). Don't mind that they charged for the Polenta Bread that never arrived. I can eat Asian and just have 1 dish with tea for less than $12, it tastes great and yet the senior staffs don't give me the sour looks and resent that I am not spending big, they're as happy as punch.

I have a cast-iron gut and my girl and I ate the same that whole day, apart from the coffee. Thanks Watt.

Feb 16, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We were there on a very quiet evening. Service was excellent and not just because, for most of the time we were there, the staff outnumbered the customers. The food was not cheap, but quality was excellent, as was presentation. For the record, I had gazpacho followed by the fish special, MM had confit pork belly, then fillet steak. We shared side dishes of brocollini and potatoes. We finished with a very good cheese plate. The selection of wines by the glass was good.

Jan 21, 2009