We went early last Friday evening to try the chic Tapas Bar that everybody been talking about. However, when we arrived what we received was rudeness and abruptness from the waiter and waitress. Another friend came to join he asked a nearby table if he could use the spare chair and then he helped himself to some water on what looked to be the self serve drinks table, the water jug was snatched from his hand and the chair was taken and given to another table.
The price definitely doesn't match the level of service given. Perhaps my expectation was too high.
Great to find a late-night cafe in the middle of the city. Excellent friendly service and delicious dessert (mmmm strawberry and almond tart...) plus very good cafe. Lots of racket from the Ivy nightclub, but that's part of the package.
It is a shame that you can't score the food which is a 10 as well, as for it being labelled Portuguese, odd!!! The experience was fabulous, the food sublime, the wine list extraordinary and the service efficient. Go for a drink if you want but do not neglect the food.
Firstly, Ash St Cellar shouldn't tout themselves as a "Melbourne-style laneway cafe". In reality it is a somewhat desolate back alley that also doubles as a construction access for The Ivy complex. On a lunchtime I tried out the new outlet of The Ivy and was very impressed with the food.
Also very knowledgable service staff and exciting wine list. But a relatively casual lunch with a selection of tapas style dishes suddenly ended up at $200 for two. That doesn't happen in Melbourne. Maybe in summer it will be more attractive, but if this is Sydney's answer to Melbourne's funky cafe/bar scene forget it. But for good food and a great wine list, bring a stuffed wallet and you'll be happy.