Babar Cafe & Bar

3.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  3     

I have been going to Babar's for years but today will be the last time. Over the past few visits the service has steadily declined, today the same bad waiter got two out of two orders wrong, despite us verbally repeating what we wanted while pointing to the listing on the menu, and when I decided Not to go with the chicken risotto incorrectly brought out (even though it was similar).
I was sorely disappointed as the replacement wild mushroom risotto was made too quickly and without any care, so was not up to its usual standard.

On a previous occasion when I paid cash for a meal, the waiter walked away halfway through the transaction because he couldn't do the arithmetic, didn't say anything, just walked away, leaving me standing there waiting for my change. My daughter, who was visiting from interstate, was surprised I went back at all as she said she has never been impressed by it. So no, I won't be going back.

Dec 13, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9     

Last visit busy Saturday night ordered 4 mains 2 risottos (the best risotto I've had in years) a regular Mahout pizza and the eye fillet, our waitress was friendly and informative. The food did take 25 minutes to get out to us, but it was worth the wait. We were informed warm stickydate and ice cream and we had a few of their chocolate truffles. All in all a great night out and highly recommended.

Jul 14, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  5      Value  1     

I went here today with my family and we were extremely disappointed. I ordered the bolognese, it came out dry, on a dirty plate and with old sweaty cheese. As someone who spent many years as a waitress, I can confidently say that it had been sitting under a heat lamp, or possibly even microwaved! I sent it back with one waitress and the senior staff came over to tell me that all of their meals are made to order. Didn't appreciate being lied to. If they think serving a dirty plate of old spaghetti and charging $20 is a good business model, I think they may be slightly confused.

The whole experience was very unprofessional. However, the staff really were nice, so that was good. And my sister's pizza was nice.

May 08, 2011 

1.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

Just been there with two girl friends, now I'm not one to complain, I work in hospitality and always have, I know how hard it can be and I'm not fussy foody but wow, how hard is it to make spag bol! it was disgusting! we sat there for an hour (four other small tables and five waitresses) they still didn't clear our obviously finished with plates and we still hadn't ordered drinks, two of the girls walked past us at least 4 times each as we were sitting right by the counter, and I saw them look so many times at our finished with plates.

Still nothing, so went to pay and the lady was very apologetic, then as soon as I said I was worried my meal was off coz it tasted so odd the staff making the coffee behind her piped up and said "u shuda come to the bar and told us" I responded, well I did wave the girl down twice who then pretended she didn't see and changed direction, apparently it was my fault for not leaving the table to complain. I responded with "do your waitresses not clear tables until people have left, or come round to offer more drinks and ask how the meal is going, they said "no we don't like to interrupt your conversation.

I told them I wish they had coz all we were talking about was how bad the food was! aah I hate to complain but wow, miserable and poor food, do they not wonder why on a thursday night every other restaurant round there is queuing out the door whilst they are empty..? - rookie mistake choosing the empty restaurant! needless to say, I didn't pay! which they then told me I wasn't welcome back, hilarious like I'd go back there!?

Apr 14, 2011 

5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  4     

Had coffee here, big mistake. It tasted burnt, it seems the very young baristas need a bit more of experience.

Mar 20, 2010 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  1     

Never again, we sat down at a dirty table and asked politely for the lass to wipe the table down. She threw the menus down on the dirty table and said I will be back. She did come back around 5 mins later. When the food arrived the bread was stale and could not cut it. The waiter while friendly was more interested in going home, given she informed us, that I have been here since 9am, I am very tired. I found the whole experience unprofessional and the food was poor. Never again.

Jan 04, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Food here has always been top quality. The ambience isn't as good as it compared to when it lived down the road (it used to feature jazz music on weekends and evenings), but it isn't offensive. Food is affordable and service is good.

Dec 22, 2009 

5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  5     

We had breakfast at Babar last weekend, and it really was disappointing. The egg on toast with coffee special was passable (but how hard is it to get that wrong?), but the meals for the kids were a disaster all round. The banana bread was served burnt, and for the first time in well over 10 years we handed it back. The scrambled eggs on toast for the 8 year old would have fed the entire Grand Arme on the way to Moscow and back. Why obviously serve a ludicrously sized portion for a smallish child, a waste of food.

As for other comments: the furniture was dirty, and I really have a problem with the "today's special" being advertised on a blackboard outside for one price and then being charged an additional 10% for it being a Sunday, either that's the price or not. We'll be giving it a miss in future.

Nov 19, 2009 

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  8     

The food was great but, unfortunately, the waiter, who walked around as if he was in charge, was possibly the rudest and most unfriendly person I've come across in any customer service situation. He spoke down to one of the party dining with us and ruined the whole experience. Food was great when it eventually came but won't go back due to the service.

May 26, 2009 

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  9     

Service OK, sometimes has the lighting of a food hall, but I try to get their once a week for the specials. Fine dining quality for a fraction of the price. Kids love the pizza. Well worth a visit.

May 05, 2009