Amazon Steakhouse

4.5 Below Average

Food  10      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  3     

Please see below for my original review. Sadly the management and staf's attitude has changed and we shall not be returning.

We arrived and our table was not ready, that happens so we weren't fussed and waited. We were told several times that we would be moved outside to our usual table shortly. It was well over 90 minutes before we moved.

We were also told off for an incident 3 or 4 years ago when someone brought a beer into the restaurant not purchased there. This was when they first opened one of our party misunderstood the BYO policy. Soon as they mentioned it at the time we all said sorry and disposed of said beer. No one got in trouble and it was over in seconds. But the fact that the senior staff remembered and brought it up should have been a sign that there was a grudge held against us. We apologised then and we apologised again.

Everything was a hassle for the staff, asking for a bottle to be opened, for more cutlery if someone dropped it. We seemed to be automatically troublemakers which is ridiculous. I had a surprise guest arrive (the dinner was for my birthday) and I was told off for wanting an extra setting as they were too full. If the original booking had been adhered to and we were outside it wouldn't have been a problem.

Food was still delicious I must stress, they do some of the best steaks in town but a couple of orders were wrong and our bill was wrong and we were charged a higher amount which when one of my friends queried it caused an argument. I have never been made to feel so unwelcome in a restaurant. They made several hundred dollars off us every time we go, this time it would have been more but we stopped asking for drinks as we were being ignored (had to keep physically going in to chase a waiter).

We used to love this place so much, we would bring all our friends here to 'convert' them but it was hostile and unwelcoming and really ruined my birthday dinner.

Oold review - A bunch of us went here the week before last for a combined birthday, we were not disappointed. We had a lovely table outside near the fountain, the staff were very attentive and the food, my god the food. The steak was cooked perfectly and just melted in your mouth, it was one of the best steaks I have eaten in years. The salt and pepper squid was lovely with the aioli and everyone loved the curly fries with bacon, cheese and amazon sauce.

Our friends had the steak with the ribs and the servings were absolutely huge. I don't know how they didn't explode with that amount of food but they all said it tasted so good that they simply had to finish. My only issue I had the whole night was being asked to move back into my seat while I was down the other end of the table talking as it would throw out the order of the meals coming in.

Response from Management:
Dear Unfrufru,

We appreciate all comments and reviews by our customers as this enables us to correct and focus in achieving higher levels of standards within our establishment.

Though I do wish to reiterate on some of the deceptive facts pointed out by your review as we are fully aware of the group involved.

Firstly, it’s quite disappointing that you have placed this review several months after from the time your group had dined at Amazon. We strongly believe if there are issues of any sort confront management and raise them on the day. Sitting behind a computer screen months after and venting your disappointment isn't so constructive by no means.

Secondly, at the time the booking was made, NO ONE had stated the group wanted outside seating in the courtyard. We welcome any seating requests that our customers wish to have if available on the day. Though nonetheless when the first two gentlemen from the group arrived, they did state they wished to be seated outside. We had advised them once the tables were free we will transfer the group outside as soon as possible. In saying this the group did have a designated table inside the restaurant by which they were seated and could wait for the rest of the group to arrive.


Thirdly, at NO POINT!! did anyone from staff or management tell ANYONE OFF! as stated in your review. That comment is false and inaccurate!

However we did highlight the fact to the first two gentlemen who arrived from the group that their previous visit to Amazon approx. 12 Months ago not (3-4 years)as stated, that staff had found ample amounts of empty beer and spirit bottles underneath the table once the group had left. This is totally against our in-house alcohol policy by which BYO WINE IS PERMITTED ONLY! In no manner was this telling "anyone off". The group was fully aware of this policy though chose to ignore it on all previous occasions.

Overall at Amazon we like our customers to have an enjoyable and pleasant experience. Accusations such as being "Told Off"," Grudges" and "Arguments" towards your group is highly fictional and incorrect. It is neither in our nature nor interest to treat customers in that manner.

Regretfully sorry that Amazon did not fulfil your expectations as a venue. Though as a venue we believe we were professional and tolerant towards the group even though a handful of people did behave inappropriately and impertinent manner towards the end of the night.

All the best..
Regards
Management

May 15, 2012 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

My daughter won a 3 course meal for 4 people through a radio station, I consider my self to be a meat and chips sort of guy, we had the antipasto, it was one of the best entrees I have ever had.the main was fantastic also. The service was extremely friendly, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Apr 29, 2012 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  4     

The service here was perky and friendly. But it doesn't make up for seriously long wait times. Managers, get some extra staff please!

What really got my goat was when asked how I liked my steak cooked, I said 'Medium' and the waitress cockily said "no really, how do you like your steak cooked, we know what we're doing" - oh good I thought, so went for medium-rare.

Anyway, after a looooong wait, the steaks arrived, partner's was indeed cooked medium rare, but mine was veering towards the well done. Normally, I would have just eaten it, but after being told they were amazing at steaks, I had to send it back. It came back and it was nice for the price, as was the accompanying sauce. Waitress was really nice about it so no complaints about her service, maybe just don't make the grand claims about the restaurant.

Would I come back, possibly, as long as I remember to bring lots of wine for the wait! Also, didn't try the huge cocktails, but they looked fab!

Apr 26, 2012 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  5      Value  1     

The ribs, hmmm, I suspect bain marie, they arrived within minutes of ordering and were not very hot. It is quite a few hours since these have seen a grill, if ever. I had the lamb ribs which were coated in gloop which tasted like a bottled sauce. The side of vegetables consisted of carrot cabbage snow peas and cauliflower, they had been sitting quite some time.

So, pork ribs and chips, lamb ribs and vegetable a glass of house red and a cocktail set us back $88.00. Not even close to value for money

Feb 26, 2012 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  3      Value  2     

Oh how I wanted to like this place, unfortunately, I did not test the waters on eatability first.

Terrible wine list, not many options and when the waiter deigned to serve us a bottle he put it on the table, did not open or pour it! If it was BYO, fine but not at a licensed place.

My steak was $40 and came out overcooked and dry, I only ate half of it. A huge side of mash that tasted worse than my mother's. Worse stiil, the waiter did not check on our meals at all. We had finished for over 10 minutes before he cleared us!

They apologised for the bad food and gave us a bottle of wine free, which was nice. However, I will not be back. There are too many other great places like the Botany View and the Union that do way better steaks for less $$ and way better service.

The music is WSFM...the fact that they cannot be bothered to invest in decent music should have been another warning sign. Stay Away!

Feb 08, 2012 

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  9     

Surprisingly quiet for a Sat night in Newtown. Had admired their menu online for some time and decided to make the trip over The Bridge. It has a wonderful menu of high fat &/or calorie delights such as the bacon & cheese covered chips, the deep fried mozarella sticks and some great steak and rib dishes. Surprisingly they also have half a dozen good vegetarian mains so if you're vege mates don't mind everyone else tucking into mounds of cooked flesh then there's plenty for them as well.

We had the B & C chips, the mozza sticks and bacon wrapped prawns for entrees, then ribs, steak, nachos and mxed espetadas for mains. As picked up by other reviewers, I would suggest anyone ordering meat to opt for one shade less cooking than normal as they do appear to slightly overcook the meat. You could try one of their Mega cocktails which cost around $31 (reg size also available) but come in a glass about the size of an overturned golf umbrella, but they do allow BYO, and this, combined with steaks for as little as $21.50, makes them very good value for a steakhouse. Service is a little slow but not unbearably so and the decor is wonderfully tacky.

Feb 06, 2012 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

We dined at Amazon Steakhouse this week as part of a small group. We were disappointed when our meals took well over an hour to be served, as Amazon wasn't crowded. Fortunately, the herb and garlic bread helped to keep us going.

The majority of the people in the group were disappointed with their meals for reasons including portion size and the way the meat was not cooked to order. My steak was dry, and could fit into the palm of my hand. The $35 price tag included wedges (which were delicious) and pepper sauce (which was ordinary).

My husband ordered a pork steak with mash and Amazon's signature hot sauce. He said the best part of his meal was the sauce. His steak serving was small and the mash was ordinary. Two of our party ordered rare steaks and they came out medium to well, hardly acceptable at a steakhouse. Members of our group had to go to the bar to get drinks and the table staff appeared to be totally disinterested.

The positives were the restaurant being a BYO, the wedges, the herb and garlic bread and the Amazon sauce. The negatives were the price, the portion sizes, the steaks not being cooked correctly and the lack of service.

I'm not a pretentious person and I'm fairly easy to please so my comments aren't made lightly and I know how important reviews are to a restaurant. However, we definitely won't be return customers and I know the rest of the group feels the same way, judging from their comments on Facebook today.

Jan 12, 2012 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Walked past tonight to find this place rather busy and full. Decided to see what all the fuss was about. Glad we stopped in, Had a great night. Jumbo cocktails were amazing, Service was quite good even though it was obviously busy. Food was absolutely amazing. All of our steaks were cooked exactly to order which is great to see in a steakhouse, you can tell the kitchen really cares for the dishes. Unfortunately didn't have room for dessert after the generous portions. Great atmosphere, food & drinks. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend. Hope this place is around for a long time. Thanks for a great night.

Jan 08, 2012 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Terrible rude service. Brought out wrong bottle of wine and when we told them they argued that it was what we had ordered. Ignored us for the rest of the night and meals are way overpriced.

Jan 03, 2012 

3.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  4     

We dined at Amazon for the first time this weekend, stopping there for lunch.
While the place was quite empty when we sat down, the wait stuff weren't particularly interested in taking our orders, I had to walk up to the counter to order our drinks.

The starter (fried mushrooms stuffed with cheese) was awful. The dry, grainy texture of the cheese indicated the dish had been pulled out of the fridge and reheated. While we struggled through our starter, the restaurant filled with an awful, chemical odour. The senior staff had picked lunch hour to mop the restaurant floor with strong smelling disinfectant. His reasoning for this is beyond me.

To be fair, our main was quite good, but the price we paid did not justify the service (or lack thereof), the quality of the starter and the stench in the restaurant.

Nov 14, 2011