Aqua Dining

4.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  2     

We dined here yesterday 20.05.12 and found the whole experience underwhelming. The portions are small and the prices are high. We tried the oven roasted barramundi which was dry and tasteless, the bug risotto which was under cooked and bland and the duo of pork which was nice but small. Dessert was ok, but once again, nothing special.

Bottom line, we won't be back.

May 21, 2012 

4.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  2     

As a regular weekend patron of Ripples Milsons Point and North Sydney Pool, Aqua had always been on my list of places I wanted to try. So when organising a family dinner for a Saturday in December I put it on my list of places to try and get in to.

I was very surprised that a few days before Christmas on a saturday night we were able to get a booking at 7.30 for 5 people, however, being so busy this time of year, I didn't question it too much. I should have known then that its inpopularity was a sign not to go!

The venue itself would have to be one of the most divine venues in terms of views of Sydney harbor and the modern, light and airy feel of the interior design. However, the food is extremely disappointing and overpriced. We all had oysters to start with which before this night, I wouldn't have thought possible to ruin a beautiful Sydney rock oyster, however, a very strange tasting citrus sauce was served with them that of the 5 people at the table, all had the individual ingenuity to scrape off.

After that, My sister in law, not known as a complainer, had the zucchini flowers and said they were extremely bland. I had Veal Milanese and it was not only bland but soggy and inedible. My partner had a fish stew which I thought sounded amazing after having read it on the menu, however, he was also disappointed with the lack of flavour and zest.

The disappointment of the night was when the bill came out and it was nearly $900 for the 5 of us. A fee I would be happy to pay at some of Sydneys other amazing waterfront restaurants but for the quality of this food that was served to us on this evening I wouldn't have been happy to pay even half of this fee. We tipped the waiter because it wasn't his fault that the food was tasteless and we did have a lovely night being Christmas and being together with the family.

However, I would definitely not visit this restaurant again and would not recommend it for people that value good food. We went somewhere else the next day with friends and paid a lot less per head and had an exceptional meal.

Dec 19, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  3     

4th or 5th visit to what used to be a great venue for lunch, appalling rude service, 2 hours wait for mains and extremely arrogant drinks waiter, and the most expensive water in Australia, we won't be back and will advise all friends the same!

Dec 09, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  2     

We dined at Aqua last night for a work Christmas function. Overall, the staff were attentive without being obtrusive, the food was beautifully presented and tasty, although a little on the bland side.

My partner had buffalo mozzarella filled zucchini flowers for entree. The flavour was quite bland according to him. I had the best prawns I've ever tasted in Sydney. Perfectly cooked, well presented and so fresh, if they could have, they would have jumped off the plate!

For mains, my partner had the fillet of beef, which was cooked to his taste, which is well done. It was tender and tasty. I had salmon, which had replaced trout as they'd run short. The salmon was lovely and fresh, but a little under cooked for my tastes.

For dessert, we both had chocolate delice with praline semifreddo, which was delicious. Beautifully presented and lovely flavour.

Overall, I found aqua to be overpriced, and the acoustics in the restaurant meant we had a hard time hearing each other, even when sitting next to each other. It was also very cramped. I think they should take a couple of tables out and give everyone a bit more room. The restaurant was very full, and the table was small for 8 adults, we were rubbing shoulders with our neighbours all evening.

Dec 09, 2011 

5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  5     

Went here for a friend’s birthday lunch, we were lucky to get a balcony table with awesome views of the Harbour, Bridge, City and North Sydney pool, definitely the highlight of the experience.

Service was a little inconsistent as we had to wait quite a while to order our drinks and meal, after the meal we sat for what seemed an eternity waiting to order dessert. Can I say the place was about 1/4 full so can't understand the waiting.

I ordered the "Livornese Fish Stew" from the menu as follows: scampi, scallops, prawns, pippies, calamari, tomato, white wine, marjoram and my friend ordered the risotto of beetroot.

I was embarrassed by what was presented to me as a fish stew. It should have said 1 piece of scampi, 1 prawn, 1 pipi, 1 calamari ring, 1 cherry tomato all served on 2 slices of burnt bread in a limited tomato stock. The bonus was the big toe sized piece of salmon that was thrown in at the generosity of the kitchen staff but he/she shouldn't have bothered as it didn't have a morsel of moisture or flavour left in it.

The seafood wasn't that fresh, the highlight was the stock and what was the thought of the burnt bread under everything....bizarre. Anyway, maybe I should have had the beetroot risotto, my friend seemed to enjoy it.

Dessert was excellent though, I had the cheesecake with cumquats which was delicious, dessert helped me bring my food score up to a 4. Aqua does also have a good selection of wine which we enjoyed.

After my Aqua experience I would suggest grabbing some fish and chips, take a cold bottle of wine and sit in the park at Milsons Point for the views and better food.

Nov 30, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  3     

Small things have big consequences. Aqua Dining's policy of filling glasses from $13 bottles of water without telling the guests the cost, immediately puts people "off side" and which (saddly) puts a dampener on the otherwise reasonably priced/acceptable experience.

Sep 08, 2011 

5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  3     

Not as good as expected. The experience was generally acceptable but there was a loud function in the dining area blocking most of the view and separated by a thin dark curtain. It is simply unacceptable to pay at least 100 dollars a head, get practically no view and have a mass of noisy people not far from you!

The food was artistic and pleasant. The waiter was bland but polite. Probably wouldn't go there again unless there was a guarantee of no noisy functions in the dining areas. And a view of Sydney would be expected!

Aug 04, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  1     

Come for the view and personal service. Don't expect fantastic food if my experience is anything to go by (tasty but overcooked steak). It is also very expensive.

May 31, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  1     

Mediocre food and service for the price. Nothing special.

May 04, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

This is a perfect place to take out of town guests to show off the food and the harbour (if you get the better seats). I love it. The pool, the harbour, the bridge, the trains, the Opera house. It's an intense glipse of Sydney.

I've been there half a dozen times either as a couple or for business entertaining. Only once was I disappointed and the Maitre D' fixed that as soon as he could. We'd booked for a special occasion months in advance and got given the worst table in the restaurant. Free glass of champagne and shifted us after 15 minutes when a better table became available. Good response.

The mainly fish menu is usually relatively simple, but very well executed. Wine list is good, but verges on the expensive side. If you can get a table outside on the balcony on a nice evening it can be one of the best spots in Sydney.

Mar 31, 2011