Fresh User Reviews for Child Friendly in Canberra

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  1     

So far as I can tell, and my partner says the same thing, the meat at this place is chemically aged. It certainly tastes that way. I can only guess at the maturation method, but chemical aging seems the most obvious. The place isn't really different from Hog's Breath except the crowd is quieter.

The service was on the line of 'don't bother me, do it yourself.' I know that these guys spent a lot of money on the decor. It would be better spent on the food and getting a decent staff.

May 19, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  9      Drinks  9     

Just opened last Sunday at Garema Place Canberra City. Located at the other end of the Garema Arcade from Gus's Cafe facing the large screen and fountain. Like its name, the signature dish is Pho. The noodle staple of Vietnam. Small menu of delicious entrees and a range of noodle dishes. However, you cannot go past the soupy noodles. The soup base is as I tasted it in Vietnam and the noodles so soft and tender. I really evokes memories of the country.

There are two soup base used, beef and pork. Both are hearty and the servings generous. Add the crunch of the fresh bean sprouts and the thinly sliced beef you have the making of a wonderful meal in a bowl of contrasting texture and taste.

I've been back twice since it opened and tried the pho and hutieu (pronounced her tieu). The beef pho is my favorite but the hutieu was also very good. The later is lighter soup and has a hint of chicken. For someone who prefers a less complex and depth of flavor this would be the one to go for. For all the noodle dishes you can get a choice of noodles but traditionally its the thinly sliced rice noodles which goes best

My favorite entree is the BBQ pork patties which they call nem noung. The flavor can only be described as awesome. The taste is not spicy and there is a sweet aftertaste but its the texture and feel in the mouth that makes this a great morsel to bite into. Most patties just fall apart but this one holds together and has good body.

I'll be returning to try some more of the meals on offer. Hard to believe there is a real noodle shop in town! and such value for money

Opening hour unstated but from lunch to supper at 10pm, Monday to Sunday. Average entree cost $4.50 and bowl of noodle $12. Serving size generous.

May 05, 2012

7.2 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

My partner and I go to Siren for lunch on weekends. We love spending time on their outside area reading newspaper, whilst having some white wine. We love their lunch menu as well. This place is highly recommended!

Apr 21, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

My husband and I ate dinner here on Saturday night just gone. We were staying in house and wanted a quick bite to eat before heading out to a show. We didn't book (which could have proven fatal) but fortunately they "squeezed us in".

The place or, perhaps, the wait staff seemed somewhat disorganised. There appeared to be some mayhem playing on around us. However, the order of a pasta dish each and a rocket salad came out very quickly for us.

I had the marinara which seemed quite good. My husband had another pasta dish that contained prosciutto which he thought was tough and tasteless. The rest of the dish was satisfactory however.

This would not put me off coming back for a more leisurely dinner at another time. My tip, however, is to ensure you book!

Apr 16, 2012

6.6 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  7     

I have eaten at Siren a couple of times and it has always been quite nice! The first time I had pork belly, and it was the best pork belly I've ever had. My main came overcooked, but I sent it back and they had a new one prepared for me in no time.

The second time I went there I had the lamb salad and it was lovely! The only thing I don't like is that it's way too loud. Especially for dinner. You can barely hear yourselves talk. However, it's a great new place with good food to go in Gungahlin and I'd highly recommend it.

Apr 16, 2012

7.2 Recommended

Food  5      Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  5     

The establishment is really nice, warm and inviting. The fittings and decor are modern and on trend.

The service was super friendly and prompt. Unfortunately, though, the food left more to be desired. For the price I expected more, both in taste and quantity. Our entrees were ribs and pork belly. The ribs were really nicely done and I would order again, however, the pork belly was served almost cold and the meat wasn't tender.

The chicken breast main was overcooked, the sauce was totally bland (albeit being named zesty breast) and my seafood salad was drenched with sauce to the point where it was swimming, and the seafood was overcooked and tough. My partner and I felt a bit disappointed all in all.

I might go back and try it again but not in a hurry. Great place to meet for drinks with friends though.

Apr 15, 2012

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  2     

This rating may come up as a little lower than I would probably have given the experience overall - so I shall explain.

I didn't much appreciate the ambience but I could see where they're trying to go with the whole steakhouse thing. The service was nothing spectacular but the person who put through our payment was very friendly (possibly the manager it seemed?) and took on board our comments regarding the sauce we'd taken with our steaks and chatted with us a little about the night which was great.

The food I thought was quite good, our steaks were sized well and cooked to perfection. Our side sauce (something garlicky I think) was not very nice but the manager seemed to take on board our comments and had said they're actually putting in place a new one and that he'd recently tasted that sauce and did not like it either. The side salad with beetroot in it was amazing and it was good to have a few different sides that you don't see at every old steak house.

In saying that, however, I think the steak were far overpriced (as is the case with many steakhouses) and couldn't rate it well on value. If you're willing to pay the cash though, this is a steakhouse we'd go back to.

Feb 15, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

Returned here after the fire last year and was very plesantly surprised! Having read some of the reviews below we were a little hesitant, but given they were from a while back we figured we would give it a go. So glad we did, loved our dinner, waiters were great and the food is amazing, even more so for canberra! can't wait to come back!

Feb 14, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  8     

Friendly staff who go the extra distance in terms of service. Reliably good coffee. Great variety of pastries. Cooked breakfasts on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Feb 11, 2012

4.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  2     

The service was poor, the value wasn't good and for bragging to have the best steak it was dangerously under cooked. The medium rare looked like ble steak, if that.

Jan 06, 2012

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Came here for my 21st birthday, despite never having been here before it turned out to be perfect. We were sitted in a private dinner room as we were a large party. We got numerous pizzas to share, can't remember what ones but they were all amazing. Good cocktails also although sometimes it was a bit of a wait. Good service and would definitely return.

Jan 06, 2012

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  5     

Not a pleasant experience! Service very poor! Waiter gave rude attitude all night. Should have walked out 2 minutes after being seated. 'Special "crying duck"' not so special. Like salt and pepper squid although not enough to go back.

Jan 05, 2012

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

I paid just under $15 for 2 rice rolls (served cold from the fridge and therefore tasteless) and 3 small and rather dull chicken gyoza. Perhaps, huge bowls of noodles in soup is the way to go but I shall give it a miss. Service was non-existent, had to ask for chop sticks, there were no napkins and/or cutlery on the table and I was not offered water.

Dec 23, 2011

5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  3     

We had a great steak but once our table was cleared the service ended, we waited for 30 minutes to place our dessert/coffee orders, but gave up. Person taking the bill didn't seem to care when we voice our opinion. Will think twice about returning.

Dec 19, 2011

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

Omg - where do I start? Went there for lunch to celebrate a birthday. They lost our booking (we booked a week before). Wait staff were less than interested and we stood waiting to be seated for at least 10 minutes. They had advertised that they served alacarte lunch, all we were given was an all day dining menu, probably the same one for room service for the hotel.

The waiter argued about what we received as inclusions with our meals (although it was listed in black and white on the menu) and wanted to charge us extra. We were only asked for drinks once. We had to ask for pepper, salt and serviettes to be placed on the table. Overall a very disappointing experience and one we will not be repeating.

Dec 12, 2011