Fresh User Reviews in Circular Quay

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  9     

Exquisite food combined with excellent service. Menu is extremely creative, produce fresh and high quality. Vegetarian/vegan option was equally delicious, a rare thing. All of us left raving about our meal.

May 27, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  4     

We visited Aria in October last year during good food week for the lunch special and had a fabulous time so we had high expectations for our visit on Saturday evening. The restaurant dazzled at night time and our table of eight had a fabulous table overlooking the harbour bridge and opera house, just stunning, the staff were friendly and attentive, the wines we chose were divine, so why such a low rating. The food was just disappointing, we all had three courses and there was no Wow factor at our table.

Only one out of eight people said they really enjoyed their meal, the rest of us felt a little let down, perhaps, we set our expectations too high. The most disappointing were desserts the caramelised banana mille feuille was a cold banana with broken shards of brandy snap stuck to it and the souffle had no taste at all.

To be honest the food was not worth the high prices they demand. This review is made in comparison to meals enjoyed at the Quay and Bennelong restaurants within the last 12 months.

May 22, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

What a hidden gem! I throughly enjoyed the food, home made dumplings, yum, the clay pot rice was fabulous, and the spicy beef soup was a really nice surprise after being disappointed that the chicken herbal soup had sold out due to it's popularity that day (clearly everyone had the same idea because the weather was cold!). The treat was definitely the rendition on the piano by manager Joshua!

May 17, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Was surprised to stumble on this restaurant. It is located in a quiet area and the food here is excellent and most of all fresh. You can tell that the dumplings are made fresh and not brought frozen ones like some other korean restaurants. I loved the Spicy Pork and Teriyaki chicken the best. Oh and don't forget to try the Potato noodles - yum. I had never had these before coming here. The owners were genuinly friendly and we will be going back.

May 17, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

We dined at Aria for my husband's birthday. From the time we entered the restaurant, we were welcomed warmly with a friendly and relaxed service. We had degustation and each dish was described clearly and not rushed like in other fine dining places. They had even placed a candle and wrote Happy Birthday in chocolate on my husband's dessert plate, a nice personal touch! The dishes were each unique and of high quality and we left there feeling very satisfied. A great place to go for special occasions.

May 14, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  5     

Well prepared, simple dishes. Eye fillet was the best meal, which is surprising for a seafood restaurant. We had salmon, barramundi, and crocodile, too. Tiramisu dessert decent. Expected more flavor and uniqueness. However, pretty average meals.

Ambience is the only reason for going, view of opera house and bridge. Service was disappointing. Again, expected a bit more attendance and friendliness. We felt we were bothering the server by being there. Even as we were ordering, he was looking away, around the rest of the area. Overpriced for food. You're paying for the view.

May 07, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

The food was exquisite. The restaurant itself is missing something, however, the flavours, presentation, and service presented itself as one of the best dining experiences in along while. The whole group was pleasantly surprised. One of our group was a vegetarian and even he commented on how tasty the food was. Definitely will go back.

May 04, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  2     

My friend and I eat out in the City around two to three times a week, everything from fine dining to Chinatowns cheapies and we eventually caved in to curiousity and had to try this place.

The exterior suggests you would be entering something very reserved and with an air of elegance, unfortunately, once you swing around the corner past the register and look to the dining area it is a very underwhelming experience and you cannot help but think, "is this it?".

Service was mechanical. We ordered the degustation with matching wines and for what you pay, it is simply not worth it. The food at best was average. Neither great nor bad. Simply a matter of eating it plate after plate with no real sensory experience. I love degustations and have done many of them with my friend and I really hope someone from Aria is reading this.

Whoever created the wine list to match with the degustation...fire them. It could not have been the Sommelier surely to create such a thoughtless compilation, even though that is their job right? The look on the Waiters face when he kept seeing course after course our wine glasses nearly full was funny to us but they were the ones laughing at the end I guess as they ask $280+ for the occasion per person.

So after 2-3 hours of painful boredom we finally left. The man at the counter did not ask how our evening was, I would be too embarrassed if I were him, so I don't blame him. A sign of a lack of confidence.

To sum it up, Aria is the sort of place Businessmen in their 50's+ would take their overseas clients for something neutral and bland to experience, or for couples who have hyped Aria in their minds for so long they keep it as a place to go for an Anniversary. It is the Mercedes badge of dining, for the rich and gullible who don't know better.

What else can I say? Go elsewhere.

May 01, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  1     

Not much to say. Fish and chips with or without batter at over the top prices.

Apr 28, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  6     

As a first time Aria customer I was looking forward to a special meal in honour of my dads 70th, his meal was great thankfully, the service was excellent, unfortunately, the free appetiser of velouté was my best dish of the night, the Peking duck soup was delicious but no better than any offering at Chinatown at 1/4 the price, the steak was medium instead of the requested medium rare and the banana dessert was nice but stingy in portion compared to other offerings st our table.

Overall good and the view was magical but disappointingly did not live up to the hype.

Apr 25, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  1     

I went to this place thursday night with my friends. The food and service was horrible. The food does not match with sauces and garnishes. I ordered angus fillet cooked rare medium but it was almost well done. When the food came, it tasted horrible. The food was bland and had no flavor. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. I wanted to see the kitchen I saw the chef wearing chef jacket with paintings very funny shit. I am chef too I recommend hire some qualified chef with good palate. I almost feel like this place is kind of asian restaurant.

Apr 23, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

This place is a hidden gem!

Food was excellent and authentic, and most importantly no MSG. My personal favourite is the spicy pork. The crispy pancake and dumplings are must-haves for entree. My friends and I would also share the bulgogi beef, beef ribs, and dolsot bibimbap. Oh ginseng chicken soup is really good too, especially during the cold winter months. Love the fact that they don't charge extra for additional rice and condiments (yes I eat a lot).

Staff and owners are very friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

Apr 22, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

While this restaurant is located in Circular Quay, it doesn't aim for the tourist market. What you get is excellent Korean food at good value for money. Must haves are the boiled dumplings followed by the dolsot bibimbab. Joshua, the host, and the rest of the staff present a nice and relaxing atmosphere which is a welcome change from noisier and rushed eateries. Definitely a return visit on the cards.

Apr 09, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  4     

Went there for dinner last night for our Anniversary. We had the tasting menu. The venue is good but not fabulous which I thought it would be as is price around the same as other venues such as Guillaume and Quay. The food was very nice but for the price did not "blow me away" which I felt it should. I know a tasting plate or degustation has small serves but they could have been a little larger.

The Duck Consume is lovely and very tasty. The wines are extremely overpriced. Service was great. Overall I'd say would have been a great experience if about 25% Cheaper as is not worth the money at that standard.

Apr 08, 2012

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  4     

"Nice" - nice food, nice service, nice atmosphere but certainly not worth the money. The only remarkable thing about the evening was John Cleese was sitting at the next table. We won't be returning.

Apr 08, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  5     

Having previously been to Aria and experienced great service and food, unfortunately, I was disappointed on the evening I went. The food was great, but the service was below par.

We were dining with a group of 8 people for a pre theatre menu, so understandably, time was critical.

We were shown to our tables and waited about 10 minutes before someone asked us for our order. Serviettes were not placed on our lap (I would expect this from this restaurant), and although our entrees came out in reasonable time, our mains took about 20 minutes to arrive which felt quite long at the time.

Once mains were finished, we waited a little while for the plates to be cleared, and we were not offered the option of dessert, or petit fours. Half our table was offered a second serving of bread, whilst the other bread plates were just cleared.

Having paid over $600, the petit fours we had received last time would have been nice. Once again, food was great, but based on this experience, I doubt I will go again.

Apr 05, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     

Stunning! Omg! I first went here a few years ago and returned only last night. Food was scrumptious and the wine was beautiful. The view also is fabulous both day and night. Will So be returning. P.s yum cocktails!

Apr 05, 2012

1.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

So much for a 5 star restaurant, couldn't be more from the truth. We were given a corner table with no views, dirty cutlery that was not wiped down, waited extensively everytime we needed to order drinks, food or ask for service, food is very below average - dry fish, over cooked meats. My local pub has better food and for 1/3 price. Very rude staff. Even more was that they charged double for a main and lucky we looked at the bill and had one main removed. Made a complaint and still was not met with any apology from the manager. I will never go back again...

Apr 02, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     

Had lunch at cafe Sydney with friends on Sunday and, it was amazing. We had requested a balcony table and were not disappointed.

Our waiter was charming, witty and the absolute professional. We had plenty of questions about the food and with his advice created an entree for the table to share, which was wonderful.

We ordered the barramundi which was divinely succulent. The baby snapper was pronounced sensational as was the prawns and ravioli.

Throughout the meal the service was seamless with attention to our water and wine efficient but not intrusive.

We were fortunate with lovely weather which made the harbour sparkle.
A really fabulous meal, thanks Cafe Sydney.

Apr 02, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  6     

I wasn't expecting much from the food at Cafe Sydney, I thought it was one of those places that traded on its location alone.

I now know better. The seafood platter is one of the best in Sydney, with fresh oysters, prawns, bugs and lobster. They have delicious desserts and a good wine list.

The service is impeccable, and yes, the view is to die for! I'll definitely be coming back.

Apr 01, 2012