Esca Bimbadgen

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  8     

This is my fourth visit to Esca and I know it will be expensive but will always choose to go there on a special occasion. Our group of 5 chose the degustation menu with accompanying wines @ $120 per person. Every course was a work of art and a taste sensation. We went for lunch as the view over the vines and the golf course in the distance is divine on such a sunny day. Each serving is small so you don't feel overly full at the end of the meal. But by 9pm when we realised we needed dinner nothing in the valley was open.

Feb 28, 2012 

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  2     

Good location, average service, and tiny overpriced entrees disappoint.

The food was generally good, but overpriced for the portions. $25 for a tiny entree that was ridiculously small, and $30 for a gnocchi main that had about 8 small potato gnocchi on the plate, does not commend this restaurant.

The views and location are great, and appear to be what keeps this restaurant going. Esca used to be great, but now it sadly has declined to providing small amounts of average to good food at inflated prices. There are better option in Pokolbin.

Dec 31, 2011 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

Food is average, nothing spectacular considering its price. Ambience is ok, anywhere in the area is anyway. Service is just Awful! You'll have to be prepared to wait for 2 hours before you get your order on the table. I'll never go back to this place At All!

May 22, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  6     

We had lunch as our first stop of a 3 day trip in the Hunter. We had the degustation, as we figured it would be about the same as ordering everything we wanted separately. My partner had the matching wines, however, I just had a shiraz with the mains and a dessert wine at dessert time.

I didn't love the first dish, but found the rest to be excellent. The second course was prawn ravioli which was lovely (although only 2 ravioli), the third was quail which was gorgeous, then lamb which was lovely and fig and vanilla pannacotta for dessert.

Overall it was a meal I enjoyed, the service was very good, although I would have preferred to have had one waiter the whole time. Both fig and goats cheese were included in the dishes two times and thought it was a bit of a repeat but they suited the dishes.

Would recommend to go there, but probably would just order the ravioli, quail and lamb by itself.

May 17, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

A lovely restaurant that has a great feel to it. We had lunch on a Friday and were well looked after. Food was delicious if somewhat overpriced for what it is. Be prepared to have a long lunch as the courses are well spaced (service is a bit slow) which did not fuss us as we weren't in a hurry. Lovely outlook and a place we'd come back to.

Aug 16, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

Drove up from Sydney with 'L plater' to get hours up, so probably not at most relaxed. However, having been told by Tourist Information person that most of the restaurants in Pokolbin stopped taking orders at 2 pm, pushed and they rang Esca and got a booking for 2.30 pm on a Sunday. We arrived (L plater and I) to a warm welcome which set the tone for the afternoon.

As driving was the main focus, 'L' had the snapper sitting on a beautiful carrot and ginger reduction, I, sadly was too late for the caramelised eschallot tart, but had a perfectly medium-rare fillet on creamed potatoes with English spinach. A glass of their aged Semillon and a shared dessert tasting plate with mini panna cotta with orange infused caramel sauce, pear tarte tatin and chocolate fondant were all delicious, coming with a glass of dessert wine.

Basically, 1 course and a shared dessert left too of us feeling full to the point of needing a walk. Not cheap at $150 for what we had, but, the service that we had from the young gentleman with a moustache made us feel as if every last cent was well spent. If you are looking for a cheap meal, this isn't it. Our lunchtime dining experience was made by good food, great location and exceptional service. Perhaps, they have read the previous reviewers comments and learned.

Aug 02, 2010 

4.3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  6     

Went for lunch with my family. We had no expectations as I hadn't read any reviews. As soon as I saw the menu my first thought was this place is overpriced.

My mum and I both got the duck. I found a hair in mine and got the plate sent back. The consomme was lukewarm and the duck was rubbery and bland. It makes me sick thinking about it. My brother got the beef? which was overcooked (he also sent it back) I think the only decent meal was the lamb shanks which my dad had ordered but he didn't enjoy it either.

Service was very mediocre and lacked professionalism. The only upside of this place was the beautiful view from the balcony. O and their sides were nice too but overall a very expensive lunch. I thought the pub had better food! This meal is one we would all rather forget. Won't be returning!

Jul 20, 2010 

5.5 Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  4     

Great location, good service, unfortunately, set back by overcooked duck (which was a poor piece of meat as well) and overcooked fish. No excuse on a night that wasn't busy (Sat 3/7/10). Very disappointing experience, I won't return unless they get a real chef.

Jul 07, 2010 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  3     

Went for lunch, very disappointed. The location is great, sunny day lunch outside, beautiful lookout, fine. We passed on entrée and went straight to main with 2 Angus beef, side of French fries and we also ordered couple of bread serve.
The bread never came (but has been charged) so definitely a mistake from the wait staff.

Food arrived hot, beef was well cooked has we asked, but what a shame, beef setting on cultivated mushroom with a sauce that was looking more like a simple juice, fondant potato on the top, $45

Service was slow, then we had one dessert (almond and pineapple pudding) was ok
I ordered a double shot latte, was terrible, tasting like an extra-long black with a dash of milk and bubbly foam on the top.

Finally get the bill,I amazingly find out I was surcharge for $2.5 because my coffee was double shot. I know the Hunter Valley is expensive but I just felt like rubbered, I will never be back and will not recommend this place to my friends and customers.

May 04, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Went on a Friday night and was met with warm friendly service.
We ordered the fig salad and gnocci as entrees and couldn't stop swapping forks.

I had the duck as the main and the flavour explosion from the plums was sensational. My other half had the beef and it was literally melting in his mouth.
This, along with the stunning views made for a very pleasant evening. Would recommend to others.

Feb 18, 2010