Aah Sedap Darlinghurst, Sydney

User Reviews of Aah Sedap, Darlinghurst

Displaying: 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 8

I think this is a great new addition to the local scene. It's been there for 6 weeks. There were lots of choices on the menu, the flavors were spicy and interesting, we had the whole fish and spatchcock and loved them both. The servings were generous in size and the waitstaff attentive and helpful. We'll be going back for again, and we'll plan for desserts, we couldn't fit them in this time!

Jan 30, 2011

Lush
9

0 of 1 reader found the following review helpful

3.8 Below Average

Food 2 Ambience 8 Service 3 Value 2

There are two avenues in which Asian restaurants in Sydney seems to venture down.

It either stays true to its local flavours and origin, dismissing ambience or interior decoration and thus endearing itself to a niche following of Asian expatriates and well-travelled Australians, and ironically earning scathing reviews for its choice of fluorescent lights and sans-table cloth. Or it gets all dolled up, goes for a more up-market image (and price range) and sadly forgets that the majority of Australians know their Asian cuisine like the back of their hand.

Aah Sedap has sadly taken the latter path. Whilst it has obviously invested heavily into its interiors, and its menu is extensive, everything from Roti to Rojak, Satay to Sambal Udang (Prawns), it may have overlooked the flavour and spice, whilst overindulging in price.

1 entree, 3 main dishes (Beef Rendang, Sambal Kangkong and Sambal Udang), 2 serves of plain rice and 2 non alcoholic drinks (teh tarik and bundung) will set your back a modest $100. It is a Halal restaurant, and it is not licensed but is BYO at $5 per table.

The Beef Rendang, which will set you back just shy of $25, was luke warm to the touch and any flavour or kick was drained from the entire dish. The meat was dry on the surface and its serving portion made it resemble a side dish. The “Asia at Home” Spice Paste from your local Coles would have done a better job. There was hardly a hint of spice or chilli bite in either the Sambal Kangkong (Water Spinach) or the Sambal Udang (Prawns).

I’m not a chilli nut and I have, over the years, come to prefer more moderately spicy dishes as compared to many of my chilli-crazed relatives, but neither the kangkong ($18.80) nor the prawns ($28.90) left any impact to my palate. Not even a gasp of air upon the first mouthful. Nothing.

We noticed a neighbouring table receiving their Satay Entrée. The satay peanut sauce was served in a port glass, kinda like a shot glass with a stem, and it wasn’t even half full. I kid you not.

Our bill had listed a Complimentary Garlic Rizza (a trademarked hybrid of Roti and Pizza). I would have love to written something about it, if it had ever arrived.

The place was packed by the time 8:30 pm rolled around. It’s been opened for a month, so I am not entirely if what we had experienced this evening was teething problems, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to drag my Australian husband back there for a second go.