Fresh User Reviews in Crows Nest

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  6     

The most delicious garlic rice is on offer here and some decent Thai dishes with a bit of a twist such as the Mieng Khumm egg nets with prawn and chicken mince and betel leaves.

It's a modern Thai restaurant with a pretty interior but our only issue was that after we finished their first bowl of complimentary addictive prawn crackers, they brought us out another bowl without even asking, so we thought was a generous refill but they ended up charging us on the final bill, so if you don't need that second bowl of prawn crackers - tell the waitresses!

Read the full review on my blog

May 27, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

We went there for a dinner before going onto our movie. Food came out quickly and staff were attentive and helpful and tapas are delicious. However, the drinks selection could be improved.

Ambience is quite nice. Restaurant feels cosy but in a nice way. It is a great little gem in crows nest. We discovered it on the way home and glad we did.

May 26, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

It is the best and real Brazilian BBQ in Sydney!

May 26, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

We've been here a couple times and are dying to go back. With so many handmade pasta dishes, over 20 different flavours of gelato, it was really hard picking one dish to have for dinner! My absolute favourite is the gnocchi, which was so soft and smooth, it felt like clouds!

The service was great and with not too many customers, they were very attentive and were always ready to give personal recommendations. Food is great value for what you get and the ambience is great without being too overdone. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for authentic Italian food and gelato!

May 24, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  7     

We've over-indulged in the fabulous smokey cuts of cow and pig bits at Kashiwa several times now, and love going back. It's super-casual and brightly fluoro-lit (as honest to goodness yakiniku joints in Nippon are), and you have to chow down at shared tables, but the rewards are many: excellent flavour from charcoal-filled hibachi, quick service, super-fresh cuts of swine, bird, sealife and bovine.

BYO wine and beer, the fire engine red smoke extraction system is a marvel of engineering and fills the surrounding streets with succulent aromas and it's a short hop to the gelati place across the road afterwards to cool the taste buds!

Sure you have to hotfoot it out before the second sitting of the evening, it can be very noisy, and they close relatively early, but these are trifles the discerning omnivore will happily cast aside for the pleasures of the roasted flesh.

We have been lucky enough on a couple of occasions to snaffle a plate of 'nama' (fresh) bovine liver, served with a garlic-infused sesame oil dipping sauce. Not always available, but highly recommended if it is.

Dive into this very casual place and enjoy it for what it is.

May 21, 2012

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  2     

Good coffee, but that is where it ends, service appalling, worst in Sydney. They insisted my heavily pregnant wife moved seats to accommodate a couple who wanted to smoke, which meant she lost her table. Then to get a takeaway coffee it took over half an hour as they kept losing my order. I now go to the cafe's which are nearby and are much better.

May 21, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

Fantastic gelato north of the bridge.

May 20, 2012

3.7 Below Average

Food  5      Service  3      Value  3     

Cannot comment on the ambience, etc as I ordered pizza for home delivery but was pretty disappointed in the experience. Where to begin: there was a long delivery time (probably to be expected on a Friday night) so the pizza was only lukewarm when it arrived.

I paid extra for anchovies but only found 1 anchovy on the entire pizza and
ordered and paid for 2 tiramisu for dessert but only received 1.

I will give them some credit in that they did call me after the delivery driver reported back and was told that I could collect the extra tiramisu next time but given its size (it was tiny) and flavour (quite watery) I don't think I'll be following up on it.

There is definitely better pizza and service in the area.

May 18, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

We returned to this favourite for the first time since La Grillade reopened under new management last March. We found the service welcoming, friendly, attentive and efficient.

The interior has not changed much and retains an intimacy and charm. The decor is cool and clean. Food was good but there is some room for improvement. Fresh oyster and ocean trout entrees were a delight and although designated as 'small' entrees the serves would please any discerning diner.

Mains were well constructed although we felt the duck was under-cooked and the skin lacked crispness. The restaurant quickly and willingly rectified these concerns. The roast lamb was tender but lacked flavour. It appeared to have been prepared in advance and kept warm with steam. We would have preferred a real roasted approach.

The wine list is comprehensive and has something for all tastes and wallets. Some value can be found though and we enjoyed the 2011 Andrew Thomas Braemore Semillon and a 2010 Cape Mentelle Cab Merlot.

Overall, the four of us had an enjoyable and pleasant evening and would return.

May 17, 2012

1 Not Recommended

Service  1     

I never had a treatment so cannot say, however, I made a booking and on the day I was told it wasn't booked. When trying to get another date they couldn't seem to get organised.

Its buyer beware when you pick up a cudo deal. Luckily I got my money back as with that kind of service I wouldn't want to give them my money.

May 16, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

My boyfriend and I ate here on Friday night and it was amazing! The food was delicious. I had the goats cheese and pumpkin pasta and it was honestly one of the nicest meals I've ever eaten! My boyfriend had the chicken in pancetta and he loved his too! Saved loads of money cause of BYO. Service was excellent too! We are definitely going back!

May 14, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  7     

First went to WAQU about a month ago (Saturday night), took the 7 course menu, bought our own wine and was raving about all aspects of the visit. Food, service and value for money were all outstanding. Eagerly returned last Friday night to be really disappointed: (7 course again (new menu) and accompanying wines.

The food was average, this menu was not as exciting as the previous. The waiter was very tight with his service of wines, and the choice of accompanying wines was average at best (BYO is Much better option). The service on our first visit was faultless.

The service on our recent visit fell below average, we waited 30 minutes for our first course and wine, and the sourdough we ordered came with our 3rd course after we asked for it 3 times. We then waited up to 30 minutes between courses and were often left with empty glasses, only to have the last three courses come out one after the other. The salmon I asked to be cooked through, came out raw. The lamb was outstanding and worth waiting for! Approx 3.5 hours for the whole experience was too long in my opinion.

My scores are based on both my visits! Will I go back? Not in a hurry. What we thought would become a regular local restaurant for us really disappointed.

May 14, 2012

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  5     

Food average-especially the vegetarian! Reasonably small portions, slow service. I had the mushroom risotto and the goats cheese tortellini and wasn't impressed with either!

May 13, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

I have come here often with friends. I actually find the food bit pricey for the quantity and quality. I don't understand why my friends like this place so much. The dosa is good though. The main reason this is not my favourite haunt is because there is not much vegetarian options. I find their menu options bit limited. Good food but not great. Cannot fault the service though. Even though not my cup of tea as a vegetarian, I would recommend this to any non-vegs for some good South Indian food.

May 13, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

I come here often with friends, and we think that the food is great. Service is also good! Good value too. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.

May 13, 2012

5.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  4     

I went with my friend to this place. We regretted it. The food was pretty average. Average ambience. Service was pretty good though. First of all, there was not much vegetarian options. I had the tofu and vege mix with chilli. I was hoping that it would be good but to no avail. Pretty average. Something I could cook at home. My friend had the Ayam Kari as mains and he thought that it was pretty average too. It was just chicken and curry. No potatoes or carrots. No vegetables.

I was quite surprised to hear that from him. He is usually a non-fussy eater. He also ordered the dim sums which he thought was 'okay'. Nothing spectucular. I am quite surprised that the other reviewers are raving about this restaurant. Perhaps, the other dishes are good! It was a disappointment, and I would not go there again.

May 13, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  3     

Bitterly disappointed considering this restaurant has been around for so long, the service was appalling, seafood was awful, steak was quite nice but absolutely swamped in sauce and above all, very overpriced, can hardly believe this restaurant is still operating.

May 13, 2012

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  3     

I ate here recently and have to say it was the worst dining experience I have had, not just in Sydney, but globally.

The service at this place is nothing short of a joke, a review before sums this up pretty nicely when they were asked to leave after being seated. We were pretty much kicked out while we were still cooking the food, as well as the bill being slapped on our table and repeatedly told to go and our time was running out.

I could not give a stronger recommendation not to go to this dump unless you want the worst service, poor ambience, bask in everyone elses smoke from the bbq cooker and overall if you want to experience the worst dining experience to date then yes, you should go. Otherwise don't waste your time or your money on this joke of an establishment, they are working in the hospitality industry, they should be ashamed.

May 12, 2012

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  1     

Just returned from dinner. It was worst experience from start. After usual wait since ordering main course, they started serving main course, forgetting completely about the entree ordered 30 min ago. The owner said sorry and added they will pack sweet dishes as an apology, then completely forgot. The Veg dishes ordered 4 hours in advance were tasteless, worst across all Indian restaurants, Shahi checken was equally tasteless and top it all paranthas were actually naan bread!.

Overall it was worst experience from a to z. Will strongly recommend to stay away!

Response from Management:
Its 12:34 am. I just returned from the restaurant was expecting a review online from Mr. Surendra Agarwal and here it is.The fact is I have never experienced such a rude behavior from any body.

Yes we did make a mistake it was just a human error. We gave you all the options but you were not ready to listen. I personally took care of your dietry requirements. And when we offered you the entrees and desserts you simply denied.

We tried our level best to please you and make it up to you but you were stuck up and just not ready to listen.

May 11, 2012

4.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  5     

Was really impressed with the café's reviews so decided it was time to have breakfast here. We went twice in one month.

The first time the food was good but on the more expensive side for what it is compared to the rest of Crows Nest. The order took a while to come. The coffee was average. Love the table numbers and the inside is nice. The coffee card on your phone is good too, less paper to have in your wallet.

Decided to give it another go a few weeks later and the benefit of the doubt. This time we got breakfast rather than breakfast sandwiches. Again the food took forever and people who arrived quite a while after us got their food first which is always frustrating. We ordered a side of avocado for $3 or $4 and were assured it would be a decent size (probably half an avocado). We got a quarter of a tiny avocado.

Everything on my plate - eggs, mushrooms, tomato and spinach had cooled, only the toast was hot. We waited again for more than 30 minutes after ordering for our breakfast even though it wasn't particularly busy. Normally I would have said something but we were in a hurry and couldn't wait any more.

Montagu is clearly understaffed as when we were paying noticed food and coffees sitting waiting to be taken out. All in all a disappointment. There is cheaper and much better coffee next door at Bean Drinking, and food that is equally good and arrives faster at many other nearby cafés.

May 10, 2012