Book Kitchen, The

6 Average

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  5     

My second visit to The Book Kitchen last weekend was similar to my first, sensational food but a terrible system of seating people.

We went for brunch and had a table of 7 so knowing they didn't take bookings we got there 20 minutes before the rest of our group. We were told 25 minutes, after 50 minutes and hassling the waiter we finally got a table but were treated as though we were being unreasonable to complain.

If we had been told 50 minutes up front we would have gone somewhere else. It is very very frustrating when cafes/restaurants will not take bookings for larger groups. I understand not doing it for 2 or 4 but standing in the hot sun with 7 hungry people is annoying.

However, the food is amazing, I just love the menu and every person at our table raved about what they had. I had the fried eggs on sourdough with white asparagus, pesto and truffle salt. It was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had and the quality of the produce they use is obvious. Some of the best coffee around too.

We will be back but never again in a large group unless they change their booking policy.

Mar 12, 2012 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  4     

I've given this place a few chances as its fairly close to where I live. On all occasions I've been disappointed, mostly due to the service. The pretentious staff just stand around looking pretty. Don't expect a smile or a thank you and if you have a problem or question a roll of the eyes is not uncommon. Clearly the girls serving have better things to be doing.

Food is average and over priced. Head across the road to bourke street bakery instead. They are run off their feet but at least you get delicious food with a smile.

Feb 27, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

The actual space is bright and lovely but can you read the books without buying them? The service was pretty good, although it wasn't very busy. The menu has a great variety, everything sounds yummy. It is quite expensive though considering for 17.50 I only received 1 poached egg on 1 piece of toast with some avocado and rocket. The combination was delicious I just don't know if it warranted the price tag with so much food competition around. I'd be interested to try their dinner menu but won't be rushing back.

Jan 07, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Came here for breakfast, food was very good, fresh and extremely quick service. The atmosphere was really laid back had a good vibe to it will return.

Jul 18, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  3     

I love the interior of this place. I have only been for drinks and dessert.
The tea brewed chai is actually not tasty. The tea-pot is so heavy. It's beautiful though. They should wash their cushions. The ice tea is just ice tea in a bottle with ice so ... I mean it's not that hard to make your own ice tea. You're paying $5.50 for a bottled drink full of preservatives.

Mandarin creme brulee was tasty since the mandarin taste was somewhat strong but not that impressive. Maybe just got for a loose leaf tea and coffee. I am pretty keen on trying dinner though. Till then, this is my opinion.

Jul 07, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

I love this restaurant, its an absolute hidden gem. Beautiful food, in a cosy setting, friendly and efficient service. Only drawback is no BYO for groups over 8, however, I'll definitely be back again with a smaller group.

May 01, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

Hi,I have been a regular to The Book Kitchen over the years. I noticed/heard that the place was taken over by new people. The service is bad, just pretty looking faces but not clue of what they are doing or who's in charge.

Breakfast has been always good but I went there the other weekend and I noticed the good looking tall, dark, spunk chef wasn't there, not also all that also his food always tasted good. I noticed 2 Asians-looking guys doing the cooking this time.

Well, I wasn't very happy with my breakfast, my poached eggs were overcooked on soggy bread and my friend had an almost rotten avocado on her plate ad the rocket salad was so overdressed with lemon oil. In the past I have never experienced anything like it at The Book. Definitely not coming back!!! For the price they charge and the service they give ummm I think I'm going to start cooking at home instead or looking for a better. Less overpriced and friendlier cafe in the neighborhood.

Apr 14, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

The Book Kitchen was not bad, but just okay. Several of us ordered the duck confit, which was a bit dry, and the side (red cabbage, figs and pink grapefruit) was uninteresting. I love sweets, but we agreed to pass on dessert as nothing looked interesting enough. Also, it was a bit warm in the restaurant.

The waitress was pleasant enough, but I think made a mistake with our bottle of wine. She poured us each a glass, then took the bottle away and set it on the bar. I don't think I've ever had wait staff not just leave the bottle on the table, and wondered how she would remember which open bottle went with which table. Sure enough, when she returned to top up our glasses, I caught only a glimpse of the back of the label, but thought it might not be our wine.

However, everyone was talking and I didn't interrupt conversation to ask the waitress. I tried to look at the color of the wine in my friends' glasses, and thought it didn't look right, but they didn't notice, so I let it go!

Mar 19, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

The food at dinner was fresh and fabulous and staff were friendly. Only drawback is no air-conditioning, therefore, only patron on cooler days.

Mar 12, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

My partner and I went for dinner on a Thursday night. Booking was for 730pm. Seated right away. Staff were great, very attentive, bringing us water and wine glasses straight away and took our order within 15 minutes. Did not crowd us and allowed us plenty of time to look at the menu. Entrees arrived quite quickly (within 20 minutes). The squid salad was a little disappointing but overall nice. The spanner crab tortellini was delicious.

Mains were the beef eye fillet and the lamb rump. I had the beef fillet with roasted garlic, roasted beetroot, and a horseradish type of puree which was quite similar to hummus - absolutely delicious. Beef cooked perfectly. The portion of lamb I tasted was also delicious. We skipped dessert as we were so full but everything on the dessert menu looked amazing.

Unfortunately it was quite hot in the restaurant and we were both sweating a lot. It did get cooler as time went on and the sun fully set, but was still quite warm. Also we waited a good hour for our main meals to arrive, even though the restaurant was not fully booked. Meals were just warm when they arrived.

Overall a great experience. Staff were great. Current menu I felt was a little disappointing compared to a previous menu that was still on the website. The wait for mains was also too long.

Jan 14, 2011