Aperitif

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  6     

My husband and I went there tonight (Wednesday). I ordered Vegetarian main (stuffed piquillo) and it was really nice. My husband ordered a chicken wrap (?), it tasted nice, but was very dry.

Service was disappointing. The waiter was unpleasant. He didn't say anything while we thanked him every time he brought us food and water... like, at least say you're welcome or something? We told him about the dry chicken, and he was like, "oh ok (then smiles with a little hahaha at the end)."

Not sure if I'll go back.

Aug 17, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

A very pleasant restaurant serving good food at quite reasonable prices. A lot of classical dishes with a modern spin. The service was friendly and helpful. A good place to try when in the Cross.

Aug 10, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

We recently went to Aperitif on the basis of the very positive reviews it received on this site. The service was excellent, the space was lovely, but unfortunately, we were a little underwhelmed with the food.

We started with pork belly, which was actually very good I'm told, but our dishes of croquettes (fancy fish fingers), prawns (x3 was a bit stingy at 25 a pop) and paella (lacked flavour) were just ok.

And with the sharing plates you are given three portions which makes it a bit tricky to share with a table of four. Overall it was a pleasant enough experience, but it's not food I would return for.

Jul 10, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Have dined there 4 times now. Absolutely love it. The atmosphere, decore and service are outstanding. Love the French waitresses they are a hoot. Miguel is a star, great host and really loves his customers. Would not go past it for a shared meal and great wine. Love it, love it, love it!

May 25, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

It seems there has been a major change at this restaurant, as we went on the basis of strong personal recommendations for the beautiful french/med menu, and found it is now a more traditional spanish tapas restaurant.

It looks great, the staff were really friendly, but we found the menu very limited and the food a bit disappointing after we'd heard such great things.
We ate the pork "paste" for entree, the cod croquettes, and shared the paella. I thought the first 2 dishes were good, but the paella was disappointing. It had a few tiny pieces of squid, a few uninspiring prawns, a heap of chicken drumettes, and a couple of mussels on a mountain of fairly bland rice. It lacked flavour.

We had a few wines by the glass that were ok but not great, and beers at $10 a pop were overpriced, as were all the drinks. Bill was about $150 for 2. Does anyone know where the chefs from the original aperitif have gone? We left disappointed, but if you're just after basic tapas, it's an option.

Apr 29, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  10      Value  6     

One of my favourites. I like the concept of sharing, the items on the menu and the portion size are just great. I don't know what else I can say to make you go there and try. Just go!

27.05.10 - We revisited this place recently, kitchen staff changed, not as good as before. We arrived early and had a drink at the bar, a strong sewerage smell came from the back door or sth, not good. The food, disappointing, it wasn't bad if I wasn't comparing with what it was before, smaller portions now, price stayed the same, presentation is different (not better or worse), maybe my expectation was just too high.

Waiters and waitresses was still great, very nice, have knowledge with the food and wine, topped up wine and water all night. No complain.

Apr 18, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

The food was delicious, creative and authentic, captivating the true Spanish style at such a high level that is not seen in Sydney. The service was absolutely wonderful and helped create a special night for our little party. I'm a local and will return as a regular. They've won me.

Apr 11, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I have been fortunate enough to dine at Aperitif twice now. The first time with my partner we were seated in the middle of the restaurant and found the lighting and set up very romantic. We had the scallops, escargot and steak onglet, along with the most beautiful bottle of Spanish white wine that the waiter expertly recommended to us.

For the quality of the food and wine, we found this restaurant to be excellent value and a very pleasant night out. So much so that I took my sister there for her recent birthday. Again we had the scallops and escargot (as both are superb) but we also ordered the octopus with pineapple salsa and the bouillabaisse for main. I have had better bouillabaisse (though it is a close call), however, the octopus was exquisite!

Again, the wine was expertly recommended by the very knowledgeable staff, however, the cocktails were, perhaps, not up to the standard of everything else here. All in all, one of the top restaurants that I've dined at in Sydney!

Jan 10, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

We had a great table at the front of the restaurant bu the windows - atmosphere was great although I don't know if it would be the same at the back. Shared food was excellent and plentiful. Wine list was mostly European but the staff will help you find a nice drop. Good value and deserves its high Eatability rating.

Dec 10, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

I Love this restaurant. It never fails to deliver gorgeous, creative food, with lovely warm service in a sultry, intimate atmosphere. I've been 3 times to Aperitif, and each time have just left raving about it.

Most recently, I celebrated my anniversary here. This was about a month ago so I'll try and remember everything. We started with a glass of a lovely French Champagne ($25) each, then nibbled some olives ($8), 4 oysters (~$5 each), and the anchovies on toasts. The anchovies are amazing, really simple dish but so refined and just divine. (I've almost recreated them at home but for the 50g of Eschire butter with each serve).

We moved on to a bottle of red (~$75), can't remember the name but it was lovely, and ordered the chilli prawns, the foie gras special, the gnocchi with mushrooms and another dish I can't recall. The chilli prawns are a must-try, I've never had prawns like that in my life and I've eaten out a lot! We had to order a bread basket to mop up all the sauce. The gnocchi were delicious and rich, and the foie gras, well, its hard to get it wrong. Thick slices on crisp toasts, so luxurious.

We moved to the bar lounge area at the back of the restaurant, and were treated to 2 cocktails on the house which was a lovely gesture. Our total bill was around $180 which I thought was great value for such an amazing meal and experience.
I would highly recommend Aperitif for a romantic couples dinner, or for an intimate group dinner. Counting down until I can go back again!

Oct 16, 2010