Courthouse, The

6.5 Recommended

Drinks  7      Ambience  6     

The Courthouse Hotel is a gastro pub bordering on fine dining. We’re just dropping by for a beer and are pleasantly surprised by the boutique beers available on tap. It’s a quiet and easy going atmosphere for a drink later on in the evening on a Friday night.

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Nov 27, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I went there today for lunch and I enjoyed the whole experience. I had the three course lunch special and so did my dining companion and all the dishes were fantastic. Even the side order of beans was outstanding. The ambience is good, service is attentive but not overbearing all round good experience. Would recommend and I will go back, the regular menu has lots of choices and will order of that next time.

Dec 14, 2010 

5.6 Average

Food  6      Drinks  6      Ambience  9      Service  2      Value  5     

Table for 7 people, restaurant not full, arrived at 7.30 pm, yet we didn't get main meals until 10 pm. To overcome this, the food would need to be extraordinary, but it wasn't. The truffled onion soup was fine, nothing special, and I thought the snapper with artichoke was just a clash of flavours. Sniffy attitude from the waiter didn't help, either. Perhaps, this was just an off night. However, I'd have difficulty recommending this place, based on my experience.

May 31, 2010 

9.4 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

We went here for Christmas and had a wonderful experience. Although dining a la carte and selecting three courses each ensured the bill was rather large, the occasion suited and we were delighted.

The service is professional, the food cooked perfectly, seasoned well and presented beautifully. The restaurant was packed and added to the exciting dining, but if anything, perhaps, slightly too packed in. Certainly not too noisy though and I never felt that anyone else would be sharing our conversation.

The kitchen speed was not too fast and allowed an easy settling of food between each course. Highly recommended for a classy night out.

Feb 06, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

It was our first time at Court House and it was beautiful. The waiting staff were helpful and warm, very welcoming.

We started with the rabbit entree, absolutely wonderful. Was so tender, juicy and full of flavour. I wished it came in a bigger portion. We couldn't have enough of it!

For mains, I had the porterhouse while my partner went with roasted pork belly. I loved the steak, very nicely cooked and the sauce perfect. Although I reckon an eye fillet would be a better choice. The pork belly was beautiful but it was on the small side portion-wise, not quite enough to fill him up. Having said that, the unexpected highlight of the meal for us was the vegetable side that accompanied the pork belly.

It was a lovely dinner, a great experience. Perfect for couples celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or any other special occasions.

Jan 15, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Delicious. Beautiful food, reverently served. Perfect, classic surroundings for such elegant fine dining. Good value for such special food, wine and service, not much more expensive than an average restaurant ($150-$200 per couple instead of $120-150). Very memorable.

Apr 01, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

The dining room was smaller than I expected but had a lovely cosy feel to it. We were given a basket of warm crusty bread to start which was delicious and fresh. We had half a dozen oysters to start, we didn't like the vinaigrette that it came with and they also came on a bed of rock salt. The oysters were my only gripe for the night as I think fresh oysters should always arrive a bed of ice, as they were not as cool as I would have liked.

My steak was a very delicious and guilty indulgence, which came with a generous butter, cream and red wine sauce and a side of shoestring fries. My fiance ordered the roasted pork belly which he thoroughly enjoyed. Our side dish of french beans with pinenuts, olive oil and feta was divine. All up it was a lovely night out.

Nov 05, 2008 

8.6 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

I've had numerous visits to Court House over the years. The chefs have changed hands many times during the period, and there has been ups and downs definitely.
I remember 1 time we went there, we were just struck by awe by how wonderful everything was.

Another time we re-visited, the food was barely average, the steak was average, the fish was even considered bad. However, on average and speaking of the overall experience, it has been wonderful with great pates, main meals, tasty desserts (better than the descriptions) and great wine list. Service cannot be faulted, its friendly and cosy.

Its hard to rate this restaurant due to the numerous kitchen changes, however, a recent visit (lost track of who's the chef now) has shown that it has regained its composure and is punching above its weight, especially considering its location and likely patrons.

Highly recommend, except if it was as bad as once we went there. Luckily that was already sometime in the distant past, so hope it won't get repeated.

Sep 05, 2008 

6.6 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  7     

I have eaten at the courthouse a number of times and early on I thought it was pretty good. After reading some stellar reviews I returned in January 2006. My expectations were not met. We (a table of two) were ignored. The service was amateur. The food was fine, but not fabulous. A great disappointment.

Jan 30, 2007 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Quite possibly the pefect night out. We have dined at The Court House on several occasions in the down stairs dining room and enjoyed it every time. A recent visit with a large group had us directed to the upstairs dining room which was quite a revelation, the room is lovely and you completely forget that you are sitting in a former pub. The service was spot on from knowledge of the menu to informed direction with the winelist. Our group "of out of towners" were suitably impressed. New head chef Stephen Burke's food is exciting yet classic and it is easy to see why The Court House has been elevated to 2 hats in the recent 2007 Age Good Food Guide.

Sep 21, 2006