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User Reviews on Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 54 comments
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| Overall |
  
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Average |
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Food 6 |
Ambience 4 |
Service 3 |
Value 6 |
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For many years I lived close to this restaurant and never knew of its existence. Mind you that was well before I spent so much of my time and money on food, wine and song!
A friend suggested a lunch here recently and on approach, I was pleasantly surprised by its impression as a magical little cottage perched over the water. So keen was I to see if they'd managed to bring Ol' Banjo back to life that I charged ahead, despite being very early, and eagerly took my place at a window side table.
Now, waiting for your dining companion can be a drag or a God send. It gives you with the chance to think, daydream, and offers you the rare opportunity to truly take in your surroundings, and appreciate the ambience. Or not. My wait brought with it many 'gifts'; a realisation that the squishiness of my uncomfortable chair left no elbow room to eat my food; that the table was wonky and ridiculously small; that the restrooms were an impossible rabbit warren journey away; that the place had obviously been decorated by my Mother-in-law and that they had in fact, not brought Ol' Banjo back from the dead.
It's not uncommon for me to sit and wait for business companions to join me, and be surrounded by my own thoughts that are only (yet welcomely) interrupted by offers of service - otherwise known as hospitality. Things like a drink. Or a preview at the menu. Or a 'hello'. Nope, nothing like that here. Forty minutes of being completely ignored before my companion arrives and then we get 'sudden' service. Suddenly they care about how our day is and invite us to wine and dine. Am I invisible?
Too many restaurants neglect the solo diner whether that be a waiting diner, or someone choosing to dine alone. Take note people, these are individuals who have the time and attention to notice your worth. By their very nature, they also tend to be the ones who are paying, and deciding if they will pay again. Banjo Paterson Cottage was possibly the worst case of 'solo neglect' that I've encountered.
The service improved dramatically once I was 'with friend', and we had little difficultly beyond inflexibility around the menu, wrongly assigned cutlery, and delays (yes, ironic) with the courses being served. The food was OK, the wine offerings predictable. Sorry, but I won't be paying again.
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paperdoll -
See my reviews 75 , 30 October 2008
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| Overall |
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Average |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 5 |
Service 5 |
Value 5 |
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Me and my husband went for lunch yesterday - on the whole the food was good but it was a disappointing experience in terms of service/ambience. I had corn fed chicken with mushroom risotto, it was cooked well and very filling. My husband had braised beef with a onion jam, the beef was cooked as requested but the onion jam was fridge temperature. We ordered a side dish of garlic potatoes which were nice - crispy on the outside.
Our reserved seats were in a tiny room against a beige wall so we had no views of the water. My seat was pushed up against a standing lamp with a huge wooden base which I did not realise until I attempted to push my chair back, and the lamp fell over and nearly hit my head!! I think this has happened before as the waiter had told me the reason why the cork is wedged in the lamp is because "it's a bit loose". Then I looked across at the other table where a couple were sitting, they too had a standing lamp and the frame next to it had a big chunk missing.
The waiter we had attempted to be funny but it came across as weird. The service was poor at the end of the meal, we waited so long for our bill that we decided to get up and pay. For some reasons our payment must have been lost amongst their till as they rang my husband 4 times yesterday to ask how he had paid! I don't think we will be returning!
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ootanaboot -
See my reviews 4, 06 October 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 8 |
Value 7 |
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I went for a work dinner last night. It's a beautiful setting, a surprise to have that bushland and the view so close to the city. Probably didn't get the full benefit of the view given I was there at night.
They did well for a work function. The chatty waiter was on, but he was good fun and efficient. Entrees were alternate drop, so I was limited to what was in front of me. The duck with potato gnocchi was lovely. Very generous serve for entree. I was pacing myself so ate a third. Their bread rolls deserve special mention, had a variety and all looked delicious. For mains, I had the kingfish. Well presented with generous serve of broccoli served at the table. Very fresh.
For once, I got to dessert and found it all too sweet. My taste buds must be degenerating. I had the apple crumble with ice cream and it was a bit disappointing, nothing too unique about it. Petit fours were almond macaroons (I think from the taste) but they fell flat for me.
In summary, it's a great venue for a work function. I would love to go back and see how private dining goes.
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mrspossum08 -
See my reviews 56, 24 September 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 10 |
Service 7 |
Value 7 |
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This restaurant has one of the great surprises in Sydney, lovely setting for a romantic dinner, the experience was enjoyable, food was good, portions were large enough but felt like it was missing the magic touch. Partner was amazed with the view, we will be back and recommend the restaurant to our friends.
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chavez ding -
See my reviews 11, 17 September 2008
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 8 |
Value 8 |
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The restaurant itself is a beautiful old sandstone building that is warmly set. The views are gorgeous at sunset! The food is great and the staff are helpful with any special requests with meals. The only downside is one of the waiters that is a bit too chatty. Would recommend this restaurant.
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jacks0n -
See my reviews 12, 10 September 2008
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| Overall |
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Not Recommended |
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Food 2 |
Ambience 3 |
Service 1 |
Value 1 |
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I have to say that this is one of the worst restaurant experiences for me. The food was deplorable and the service was rude. The waiters were fighting with the maitre d'. It is a beautiful spot in a lovely building and when I walked in, I was in the mood for a lovely evening. Eat somewhere else
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beenthereatethat -
See my reviews 1, 03 September 2008
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| Overall |
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Average |
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Food 6 |
Ambience 5 |
Service 7 |
Value 4 |
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Went to Banjo's on saturday night and must say I wasn't satisfied. I have visited many times before and it has been great. I will be back with hope! I assume it was a bad night for the team there. Sorry guys.
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ggpulis -
See my reviews 2, 13 August 2008
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
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| Overall |
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Highly Recommended |
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Food 9 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 10 |
Value 9 |
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A lovely place for a special dinner. I enjoyed a weekend dinner here with friends and we left feeling very happy and most satisfied. First honourable mention goes to the staff. Lesley did a wonderful job of making us feel right at home. Her friendly, smiley personality and attentive, considerate, discreet service makes my rating a 10.
Second honourable mention goes to the food. Our table sampled pretty much everything on the mains menu between us, and although the portions were generous, we still managed to pretty much polish off the lot! (I was a dishonourable mention here, the chicken and leek pie with truffle mash is HUGE.)
Now to dessert. The mango and Grand Marnier souffle was a little tart (no pun intended) for my taste, but was complemented beautifully by a passionfruit gelato and was cushiony-soft. It was just divine to sink my spoon into.
No, this isn't the cheapest feed around town, however, when you take the location and wonderful service into consideration, Banjo Paterson's makes a great location for a treat. I liked the poetic touches too, Mulga Bill is a favourite from way back!
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wordie -
See my reviews 53, 24 May 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 8 |
Ambience 8 |
Service 9 |
Value 7 |
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Always a pleasant experience. Long-established staff always make you feel welcome. Food is always freshly prepared, perhaps, a tad expensive. Good wine list. The views, esp during daylight hours, are to die for.
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rockindoc -
See my reviews 92, 07 May 2008
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| Overall |
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Recommended |
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Food 7 |
Ambience 8 |
Service 7 |
Value 6 |
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Been here a few times for business lunches and very pleasant. Beautiful old building and another lovely spot for special visitors. Food pretty good but nothing outstanding about it. Just pleasant modern Australian cuisine.
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Paquita -
See my reviews 17, 29 March 2008
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