Aubergine

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  4     

What stood out most from our visit to Aubergine today? The bloody awful service.
This is not the lasting impression that any restaurant should wish to leave upon its patrons but Aubergine was successful in leaving a bad taste in our mouths.

Upon arrival, we were told that we were late, despite having called ahead to change our reservation time, a wasted phonecall it appears. Already the atmosphere was rushed and unaccommodating.

We had brought along a voucher we'd received in an email from the restaurant, which offered two courses plus a glass of wine, which we thought was an excellent deal. However, this in reality consists of a choice of either soup or garlic bread as your entree, plus a small choice of dishes that qualify as a light meal. If you'd rather the seafood pasta, steak or lamb, you will have pay $10 extra to choose these.

I chose to start with soup (without knowing what it was, we were never told) and my partner started with garlic bread, which were 2 sad little pieces of white toast smeared with garlic butter. Water glasses were chipped and still had lip marks on the edges.

The mains were nice, just average for a restaurant of this price range. I opted for coffee instead of wine and was charged extra for soy, despite coffee obviously being a cheaper choice than wine. Thanks Aubergine. During peak lunchtime when tables were full, we were given very rushed/stressed service, with the distinct feeling that we were being hurried out to free our table.

As soon as the crowds dissipated, we were literally ignored. And I mean literally. At the end of our meal, empty wine glass and coffee cup on clear display, we were craning our necks and leaning around to catch the attention of the waitress, who walked past us every 5 minutes to clear other tables. There is no other explanation as to why she didn't ask us if we'd like to order further, or if we'd like our bill, or even make eye contact, she was quite shamelessly ignoring us. Recently, we have learned that this waitress is actually the area manager! Yikes.

All in all, I will never again visit this restaurant, nor will I be recommending it to friends or family. Disappointing special offer/voucher masquerading as a great deal when is basically just a free drink and bit of toast, teamed with totally disappointing service.

What a shame its predecessor "Moltofino" had to close, it was a much more deserving restaurant of this fabulous location. Give it a miss.

Apr 25, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

We live locally to Dee Why Beach and eat at one of the local restaurants on a weekly basis.

Aubergine had been on the list of frequently visited since it opened. The food and service were always equally as good until our last visit in late February.
My husband is very partial to their Seafood pasta which continues to be fresh, well portioned and tasty.

On this particular visit I chose the chicken pasta which I have had previously. When the dish arrived there seemed to be no chicken and in its place looked to be a largely diced, smoked process meat. I chewed a small piece of this and it was in fact a processed "meat" similar to spam.

We queried this with the waitress who went and asked the chef and we were informed that this was in fact "normal" chicken that had been smoked. Now, I'm no chef but I know processed meat when I see it and this was not chicken as in breast, thigh or anything of the sort. I think you could get more real chicken in a McDonald’s chicken nugget. I put the pieces together on my plate and it resembled a roll, see picture attached.

When dining in a restaurant and paying in excess of $24 for a meal that’s basis is chicken and pasta I don’t think it is much to ask for real chicken and real pasta. Although all my other experiences at this restaurant have been pleasing it will be some time until I return, primarily because my intelligence has been insulted by being told it is real chicken.

The waitress clearly was embarrassed, and brought the bill as soon as we’d finished (normally we are asked if we’d like dessert etc). I would still recommend the restaurant but double check with the wait staff on which “chicken of the day” they will be using in this dish before ordering it.

Mar 29, 2012 

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  2     

Very poor service at this rather expensive restaurant. Went for Sunday brunch - waited 35 minutes for any attention, altho on request we received menus. Took an hour before we had a coffee, the response "he has 25 orders backed up" to which I replied "I have been here for an hour - I want a coffee at Least!". We finally ordered our food, which also took a long time to arrive. When it did eventually come out, the waitress came and said to me "I forgot to write yours down - what did you want?". Seriously? All in all, disappointing and I would not recommend for service or value. The food was ok when it eventually arrived.

Feb 27, 2012 

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  1     

This restaurant served a lunch which I should have sent back - prawn and avocado salad, was served without the avocado, the prawns were mushy to put it mildly. When the waitress removed our plates and asked how was it, I replied stating the facts above. Another waitress came to say that she had checked with the chef and was told that the prawns were fresh! She then kindly said that she would provide us the a free cup of tea. My friend was charged for her coffee. I shall never return!

Feb 23, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

We have been to Aubergine now a few times. I think this place is terrific! The food is fresh with tasty sauces and decent portion size. It is a beautiful location to just sit back and relax and soak in the views at Dee Why beach. The staff are friendly and accommodating. They also have lots of specials. My recommendation, try it for yourself. You will be glad you did!

Jan 19, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

This place is to die for! The location is absolutely amazing and the decore is well matched. We visited on a week day for lunch an snagged a table out on the balcony (try and get these seats if you book).

The food was bought to us promptly by a lovely waitress with a huge smile (it is so nice to be served by someone who seems to enjoy being there). I had the steak monte carlo - cooked to perfection. The meal was so tasty, and so filling!

Coffee and creme brulee for dessert was really good, and I consider myself a bit of a coffee coniseur ;) Will definitely be back and would recommend anyone else. Great to see new talent on Dee Why beach front.

Jan 08, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

My wife and I went on a beautiful summer evening and got a lovely table on the verandah overlooking the sea. The atmosphere was great and the staff were very friendly. We had calamari entree, scallops and fillet steak mains and creme brulee to finish. All very good. The restaurant was pretty full even though it was a week night, so booking would be a good idea. Highly recommended.

Jan 04, 2012 

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  1     

Unfortunately we waited two hours for our meal to come and only two of the three meals actually arrived. Another half hour later the third meal arrived. No explanation. Poor wait staff had to attempt to placate us. Will never eat there again.

Dec 22, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  4     

Wait staff and service was good, nice ambience but the food was ordinary and poor value especially the dessert we had, fudge cake for nearly $15.00. It tasted like a packet mix, coffee was very weak. Sadly we have had mostly ordinary DY lunch experiences, my theory is the rents restauranters have to pay.

Nov 28, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

Seven of us went on Saturday 29 October, was a bit hesitant after reading the reviews but was nicely surprised, maybe they have read previous reviews. Service was fantastic, BYO wine only but corkage was very reasonable I think something like $2 per person per night not matter how many bottles you brought in (but double check). Mains were very nice and no need to be buy sides. Would be going back again.

Nov 03, 2011