Alio

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Thanks to a special Ent Book offer reducing the 10 course deg menu from $90pp to $60pp this was excellent value. Three of us ate on a quietish Wed night. We certainly had no problems with the service as a few others have claimed. They have a good deal for matching wines but they also allow BYO on Mon-thur, so I brought a beaut 1986 Cab Shiraz which they immediately decanted for us.

Oddly not a single course from the ten was seafood, which delighted me but may bother others although as they change the menu monthly it'll prob be different next month. Courses included beef, eggplant, zucchini, prosciutto, too many to name but enjoyed them all.

Definitely worth a visit if you want somewhere nice without being stiflingly formal.

May 10, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  8     

I'm a long time reader and first time poster. I felt the need to post for my experience. First of all the food. Can't really complain. Very good selection and decent presentation.

Ambience is average. Tables are situated very close to each other and I often found the lighting too dim to even read the menu.

Service was appalling. There is a head waiter/manager with glasses who stands behind the bar. I found him incredibly rude. We had been shown our table and had our drinks plonked onto the table and then quickly ran off. Food came out promptly for the first five courses. There was a good pause of about 45 minutes (not just our table but the restaurant in general).

No explanation the same manager said food was coming and then ran off as if he was not interested in what I had to say. For the poor service I left an equivalent of a 5% tip and was called el stingo (stingy) for my tip. I'm not sure if I was meant to hear it or if the manager did not realise that bill was mine. I turned to him explained the poor service to which he responded that I was exaggerating and that people routinely tip 15-20%.

Value is great, 10 courses for $90 - can't complain with that. Overall I would not return especially for that comment about being an 'el stingo.'

Apr 02, 2012 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Had another very good meal again at Alio. Would recommend for those out for a very pleasant evening. Easy parking. Service is good and food great. I would recommend the Lamb backstrap.

Mar 26, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  7     

Dined here recently. The appetizers and entrees were superb. My risotto, however, had an extremely strong flavor, for my taste too heavy and rich for a risotto. Plus, it was served on a large white plate and honestly it looked very unappetizing served.

I would have preferred it served in a smaller bowl with some parsley, lettuce leaves or say asparagus served on the side. Desserts were also great and ambience good. Not too loud and lighting was just right - dimmed to the right effect. Service was very pleasant and wine good. Would go back again.

Mar 25, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

We had the January Degustation with the complementing wines ($125/person). The food was fantastic and well presented. The wine did complement the courses well, however, they were not spectacular wines. Next time, I would probably do BYO with a nice wine.

The atmosphere was decent, however, the tables were quite close. There was just enough space to walk between them. With the white table clothes and dim lights, it is romantic and feels like fine dining. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The timing of the service and presentation of the courses was well done.

The value was okay for the number of courses and wine received. However, for the total value, there may be some better options around. Overall, we were pleased with Alio and would recommend it to others.

Jan 26, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I arrived to a warm welcome, as I waited for my friend in the bar the staff were warm and friendly. I didn’t know which wine I wanted so they gave me a taste of 3 and I got to pick the one I liked. Nice as I order wrong all the time.

We opted for the degustation. $90 per person for 10 courses. We started with bread sticks not the ones restaurants normally serve these were homemade and amazing. The bread was warm just out of the oven. First time ever in a restaurant have I had this!

The pate served to start with a sweet wine? Strange I thought but it worked. The scallops were so delicate, simple and so tasty. I forgot to take a copy of the menu with me to recall all the wines lots I had not ever tried so this was great.

The pasta was a tomato and mussel gnocchi, so soft A+++. The main was a lamb dish that was finished with fetta. Maybe not very traditional Italian but it worked. By the time we got to dessert I was sooooooo full!

Wines amazing, food awesome and the service was very welcoming. They had a cooking school on downstairs which smelt great when I walked past. Worth checking out. This is not a stuffy restaurant where you feel awkward it was very fresh and beautiful food that deserves a visit. Wait staff are friendly, food well just read the above!

Jan 19, 2012 

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Incredibly disappointing.

We have all had experiences at restaurants that we are happy to forget and write off as experience. However, with Alio, my experience was so poor that for the first time, it has motivated me to do something about it.

The ambience and restaurant layout was poor and felt like an RSL club. The waiter's overly dramatic description of each dish (we had the degustation) was in stark contrast to the actual taste. The pumpkin soup and lamb backstrap were the only dishes that were close to being acceptable as "tasty" - the rest were below bland.

The price, unbelieveably overpriced. If I am spending $300 on a meal for 2 with some wine, I expect something special. There are plenty of great restaurants in Surry Hills that deliver value and taste for $300, Alio is not one of them.

Jan 16, 2012 

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  5     

We dined at Alio on 8 Dec. The food was good but the table service poor. The problem, we discovered, was that our waiter whose main interest was to earn money so that he an his girlfriend could travel around Australia. For example, we had to call him back to find out what the different pieces were on the share antipasto platter, self evident service I would have thought.

Advice to the owners: poor table service can ruin the good work in the kitchen.

Dec 25, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Great value with the entertainment card, although I would gladly return without it. It is located off the main street and conveniently across from the Woolies carpark. Love the ambience and space inside the restaurant, and best of all is the food. From entree, main to dessert I loved all the flavours on the plate. One complaint would be the pork belly should have a crispy skin.

Dec 16, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

I recently ate here with a bunch of girlfriends and we were all shocked by the size of the meals, and not in a good way! We ordered mains (that weren't cheap may I add) that were tiny! I had to order two mains and I'm not even a big eater (5ft 2 and 52kgs!)We also got overcharged and the bartender also made really weak drinks. Cross Alio off your list for places to try! I definitely won't be coming back to this place. Shame cos the outside looked rather inviting.

Nov 21, 2011