Borrelli's At Epping

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

This is our second time here. The first time was a month ago and the only difference between then and now was a slightly less attentive staff. Both times the food has been great and very delicious and we were not unhappy with the meal sizes or the time between dishes.

Both times we have been in the main part of the restaurant where we have sat in the middle of the room. This spot is a bit busy with staff going past and sometimes you get missed but it's certainly not a massive drama as it gave us time to enjoy the evening. The room was very busy so it is totally understandable.

This is good Italian food and it's tasty. It's certainly decent value. If you live in the area then this is definitely a great place to go that is local, but I recommend booking.

May 26, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

This wasn't the best but really not that bad. I have been a few times and as much as its not my first choice it is really not so bad as other Italian places in the area by any means. It appears to a slightly better than normal customer in compared to most other Epping eateries but delivers consistently average food, which sometimes is just what you want. It does need to lower its prices and encourage a quicker turn around and I would attend more often.

May 08, 2012 

4.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  5     

Ate here last Saturday night with my family and I have to say I am glad I live in the inner-west. Because if this was aweful. My Calamari entree was like something you would find in RSL and the Veal was served cold after a 2 hour wait. My wifes chicken was also served cold.

The ice cream dessert was nice, but I would suggest it was out of a box. It was a set menu and it was cheap so should I complain probably not, I just won't go back.

Apr 05, 2012 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  1      Service  2      Value  1     

Just awful! My husband and I attended a 60th Birthday at Borelli's last weekend. The function room was packed and extremely noisy with 2 separate functions that the kitchen simply could not service. We arrived at 6.30pm and by 9.45pm had still not been served our mains.

When I told the waitress we had to leave (we had 2 small children with us who were restless and tired), and given we had not been served our main courses, could we have a reduced rate on the set menu price of $50pp. I was told that they could not reduce the price as it was "already in the system". An absolute disgrace.

Response from Management:
I do apologise you did not enjoy the evening, but I would just like to clarify that not all the guests arrived at 6.30pm. As soon as everyone had arrived, we served appetisers to start your evening. Shortly after you were served the entree meal you ordered. When you had finished your entree, you asked if we could reduce the bill because you and your family had to leave.

We did explain the chef was already preparing the meals and your meals were about to be plated and served. You decided to stay, but shortly after you wanted to leave. We did offer you to take the meals and dessert home but you declined.

From Management.

Jan 30, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Looks can be deceiving and I hadn't been too bothered to check this place out before. However, my partner had visited once and really enjoyed so she made a booking for us.

Service was very attentive and couldn't fault their efforts. Straight away given water and had our wine poured whilst being offered garlic bread or bruschetta.

Bruschetta was nice and the balsamic had a nice thick consistency that stained the bread and was quite enjoyable. The acidity and the freshness of the tomatoes was a nice way to start the meal.

My partner ordered the lamb shanks off the specials menu and I ordered the sirloin steak with prawns from the meat section. We could not fault the lamb in any way. It was so succulent and the sauce needed some fresh crusty bread to mop it up at the end. I was lucky enough to finish off this dish and it took all my self control not to lick the plate clean.

The steak itself was perfectly cooked and quite large. The prawns were a bit lost in the meal and didn't really do much for me but the sauce was again very nice.

Not long after we received our mains did a waitress come and ask if everything was ok and overall I felt the service was not too overbearing but also not too distant. My partner finished with the creme brulee which she enjoyed but found the topping a little bitter.

A little bit more than a normal meal for two but we left feeling very full and relaxed. Definitely will go back as there was so much on the menu to try.

Sep 28, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  4     

Used to be a warm and cheery Italian but have been twice this winter and it's always cold inside, service is "by request". We had to summon the waitress to take our order, then to get the bill, then to take our money. The eggplant dish is all sauce and the barramundi is tasty but the serving small and not worth $30.

Italian restaurants should be warm and cosy with hearty food and attentive service but Borrelli's has disappointed recently on all counts.

Aug 25, 2011 

4.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Very dissapointing. The olive oil was rancid, The bread seemed half stale, the garlic prawns too oily and not much garlic and the main which I don't recall was not much chop either. This was a while ago now though. I'm looking at restaurants in the area again (won't be going here) and never got around to writing the review last time. At least the website now corectly says that they're fully licensed. It said all BYO was OK when I went but when I walked in they refused to allow me to open my beer - and like many places their idea of premium beer is only one notch above VB (still is I see). I've been to the resto once before a bunch of years ago - it was great then.

Jul 08, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

Really disappointed as used to be a local & regular at this restaurant. Returned after a change/s in management finding the food & service terrible. I ordered the Vitello Moda (used to get it before), the only good thing were the prawns (actually were succulent) however the veal was possibly boiled, the sauce was so BL& / floury that when I added salt / pepper it didn't even help! Tasted like a quick flour based sauce - which my friend can do better when there's no cream available. We weren't offered water / cracked pepper nor told the specials.

After giving honest feedback about my meal to the waiter, we were offered dessert menus - however again not told the specials & it was unclear whether they were offering us a free dessert since the mains were terrible (my friend's Cannelloni's sauce tasted like canned tomato soup!). We didn't order dessert however when we later saw the specials on a chalkboard we could have been persuaded & it could have ended the meal on a good note.

When we went to pay we were still charged the full amount for my meal although I hardly touched it. I tried to eat it hoping each mouthful would get better. I have never before left so much on my plate but it really was inedible & although I felt bad telling them this, I had to. I asked about a discount on my meal to the woman behind the counter (did not see her all night until that moment) who rudely asked what was wrong with the food or "did you just not like it?".

I told her the truth (even praised the prawns) & the waiter piped up saying that the it was a bad batch of cream - which was later thrown out! It didn't even taste like off cream, it was gluggy & floury! They took my meal off the bill - we left hungry & utterly disappointed - used to love that place! Sorry to go on but really needed to vent about this place & warn others!

Jun 13, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

My Friends and I were walking Epping streets on Tuesday night to find a restaurant to eat at, and walked past Borrellis which was packed so it took our attention we walked in to be greeted very warmly, told them we didn't have a booking but If they could fit 7people and they smiled and walked us to another section which was hidden and was busy also. Beautiful food, great service, price range was average. Will definitely return, and recommend to friends and family.

Jun 10, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

What is going on with the last comment. We are regulars and dedicated diners to Borrellis and cannot comprehend the last comment made.

We have owned restaurants in the past and been to many restaurants around the world, we all have choices and differing palates and that is why we try different foods from different countries, but we always return to Borrellis for the great food, service and romantic ambience.

Out of all of the meals we have eaten I guess we have had one meal that was not to my liking. But I would never say it was disgusting. The difference here I guess is that we approached this with a mature mind, intelligence and understanding.

Thank you Borrellis for always making our dinning enjoyable, thank you waitstaff for your attentive service even on busy nights. We don’t even mind waiting long for our food as we know Italian food takes longer to prepare.

p.s. see you on Saturday night.

Jun 10, 2011