Apprentice, The

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

This is quite extraordinary! When these young apprentices get out into the wide world, we will happily pay about 5 times as much for the quality of food and service they provide. We went to a Mudgee wine dinner so it cost a (very little) bit more than the regular dinner price but included some excellent wines from Cook's Lot and Huntington Estate. There was a generous fixed menu (choice of 2 appetisers + 2 entrees + 3 mains + 2 desserts + tea or cofffee.

It was "alternate service" which normally I detest but everything looked and tasted so good there was no grumbling or even plate swapping (other than for "Mmmm try a bit of this." purposes And every single dish in it's quality, preparation and presentation and the amiable but crisply professional service, under the eye of a "supervising teacher" who makes a maitre d' as smooth and urbane as any in the "top" restaurants, was just exceptional.

The room is a bit plain and rather large, but the snowy table linen and sparkling silverware and glassware are again of the best quality. Truly the best value in town for lovers of fine dining.

May 26, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  10     

We have been here twice. Both my entree (octopus) and main (pork) were undercooked but the second time round was better. The dessert the second time was too hard and overcooked. Just keeping in mind though that these are students still learning and they did get quite nervous serving, one of them dropping the vegetables twice and had shaking hands. When they get the food right, it's pretty good. I think for the price, this place is worth a try and we have recommended it to our families.

Dec 19, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

My first visit to the Apprentice and it certainly won't be my last. What a find. A group of us went on a Friday evening and the place was packed. Some nervous waiting staff on their L and P plates, but overall the service wasn't bad. Four courses at $27.00 is excellent value and the food was very good indeed. Its a set menu, the great thing was that there was variety and one could swap food.

Bread rolls were yummy, for appetizer I had the potato and leek soup, tasty, for entree, a lovely salmon salad, the main was pork loin with a red chilli sauce (not exactly spicy) served wtih spinach and potatoes. For I had the baked cheesecake which was quite superb. The other dessert for the evening was the cream brulee and my friends said it was divine.

The evening was capped off by tea and coffee. A great dining experience to share with friends with the added bonus of views of the city sky line. Drinks are extra but very reasonably priced. Go and check it out you won't be disappointed! Let's support these apprentice chefs become masters at their job!

Sep 05, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  9     

Value for money, this is a pretty good deal. It has gone up to $27 for dinner only, drinks were extra (except for tea and coffee which were included in the above price). Food was also very good and 4 courses filled me up! But you couldn't order your food, you got served whatever the waiter put in front of you. We were a group of 8 so able to swap dishes but wish someone had told us though (overheard another table being told that alternatives were to be served).

Service was okay. They got my booking wrong (had 6 instead of 8) so they had to add another 2 plates to the table. In that time and when we were properly seated no one bothered to take our drinks, we had to flag two different people to get the whole tables drink order. You could see the students were quite nervous so we tried to keep our main waiter at ease. Despite the service (which is forgivable as it was conducted by nervous students), I would go here again with a group of friends.

Apr 10, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

This little restaurant opposite the ABC building in Ultimo is a real find. It's actually the test kitchen for the TAFE college but the quality of the food was surprisingly good, that is if you can get the dishes you actually want! At $25 for three courses including a welcome drink, it's unbeatable value, although you have to understand the limitations of the kitchen, given that there are finite supplies of each dish prepared and once that selection has been exhausted you will have to go for your second, or in my case, even third choice.

I had wanted the quail with fig entree but that was gone by time I got to order, so I opted for the prawn ravioli. Also gone, so I was served instead with a chicken concoction in pastry which I was none too excited about but that actually proved very tasty. The pastry was light and crisp, the filling given some bite with a blend of spices and it was overall surprisingly good. In fact it was so good that I felt it surpassed the quail I'd originally wanted and which my dining companion managed to score (note to self: next time forget the manners and push my way into ordering first - and come early).

For mains again I was to be disappointed in that the blue eye cod with vine tomatoes and chick peas was gone so I opted for the lamb tagine, which was wonderful, the meat so tender it melted in my mouth and the warmth of the morrocan spices just perfect. My friend proclaimed the cod excellent. Finally it was dessert time and again, I couldn't get my first choice, flourless chocolate torte - but was more than satisfied with the tangy lemon tart that was eventually set down in front me.

It seemed to take quite a long time to get desserts but thankfully the view out the windows to the city skyline was quite nice and I was with someone who could talk in her sleep so we managed to fill the time. Service for us was patchy and our waitress didn't explain to me (or apologise about) why I couldn't get my first choices. This was left to the waiter at the next table. But we kept reminding ourselves that these were students and with the quality of the food, it took a lot of reminding.

The future of our restaurant scene looks good. Apparently the restaurant is open for dinner too, at a higher price, so we have made a date to return when the school semester starts again and this time I have promised myself I will be first in, best dressed!

Jan 08, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  10     

Great place. Went for dinner (been there for lunch 5 times) and the standard of food is still amazing. The service is always tricky, students aren't perfect but the effort counts for a lot. Had a great meal, 4 courses for $27. Can't beat that!

Oct 17, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  10     

Worth a visist! I've been for lunch twice now and have loved both visits- at $20 a head for a three course lunch and a free cocktail who wouldn't want to go. The food has been amazing and although the menu is limited there is always something for everyone. Fantastic service. I have loved it and am excited that TAFE has resumed so I can go back again.

Mar 08, 2008 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Good value four course meal for $25pp. We were greeted by bellinis and lemon lime bitters (one free drink included). As I had an empty stomach I felt the wait for the first course was a bit long but the appetisers were well worth the wait.

I could've eaten more than two pieces of that garlic bread slice. The mains - steak was the tastiest. The fish with squid ink pasta was ok too but the curry had raw vegetables. The dessert wasn't that good avoid the tiramisu that was rock hard but the raspberry one was quite good. They also provided nice soft bread. Unfortunately they have limited dishes so what you order might become sold out. Still a pretty good professional restaurant for a teaching college.

Oct 27, 2007