Dedes Bar & Grill

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  3     

After being seated, we waited 25 minutes for a waiter to take our drink order alone and this only happened after I walked up to the bar and asked if someone could attend to our table. Service went downhill after that. Our booking was for 1.30pm and our meal was served at 3.15pm. Nearly 2 hours after we arrived! Food was acceptable but service was not. Restaurant was cheeky enough to charge $5/person holiday surcharge. Needless to say, we did not leave a tip.

Jan 27, 2012 

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  4     

Our party of ten had an early booking so the restaurant was still empty. After being seated and with no one taking drinks orders, I decided to walk up to their well stocked bar but was told that it was table service only and we had to be seated to place an order. Mind you, the restaurant was still empty.

No one came to take our orders and because we had young children with us, we wanted to get their orders in first. I approached a waitress who was folding napkins and she said that she could not take my order. We had to wait for our allocated waiter. Nevertheless, the kids' meals came out quickly and looked to be quite well cooked too.

The restaurant was starting to fill up now and we were glad we arrived early as we managed to grab one of the very few available parking spots. The car park services two restaurants and the sailing club bar/bistro so get in early or you will be walking up the hill back to your car after dinner.

The restaurant has good ambience with large tables and sufficient room between the tables so as not to encroach on their conversations. There is a view of Parramatta River, however, if you dine there during summer, you will need to wear your sunglasses as the setting sun comes straight through the floor to ceiling windows and there are no curtains (even thin ones) to block the glare. This made it difficult for our dining companions to have a conversation with us without squinting most of the evening.

Overall, the service was pretty poor. Perhaps, we happened to be there when they were short staffed? Once the restaurant filled up, it took the waiters ages to take our orders for the mains (despite telling them several times that we were ready to order), ages to get water for the table (requested several times) and even longer waiting for the bill.

Compounding the lengthy waiting time for the bill was the fact that they managed to add three glasses of wine to the bill ($30) that we had not ordered and it took them some time to reverse the charge.

They also managed to bring out only one dessert for the children even though there were two kids. Desserts for kids are included in their meal price of $15, which seems pretty steep.

The lobster entree I had was a little over-cooked and dry. I ordered a medium eye fillet steak and it came out more done than medium. This seems to be a problem with most non-steak specialty restaurants as the standard medium now seems to be just a hint of pink. Having said that, the steak was very tender and quite nice. The potatoes and spinach that came with the main were more garnishes than sides. Hearty eaters will need to order sides.

We had the tasting platter for desserts and this was most definitely the highlight of the evening. Without the desserts, I would have given the food less than five stars.

All up the food was on the pricey side but I guess someone has to pay for the riverside location. The service definitely needs a kick up the backside and was not worthy of a tip (and we did not leave one).

Dec 30, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Dined here on 21.10.11 for the first time with my girlfriend using the Entertainment Book discount.

Food/Drinks - Ordered the following:

Half-dozen Oysters - Apparently quite good. Western Australian Scampi - Beauty. Well-sized, too. Fresh as it could be. Barramundi Fillet - Tried a little, and was impressed. John Dory Fillet - Cooked to perfection. Thoroughly enjoyed my main. The presentation was fairly simple, but it looked exactly like a picture you'd find on a website. Seasoned Steak Fries. 2 x Watershed Sav. Blue Lagoon and Midori Splice Cocktails.

Ambience - Laid back and family-oriented. Even though a live band was beating out some tunes in the other room, we couldn't hear it one bit from our table. Lighting was nice, and the water views are pleasant. Bit unfortunate that when it gets dark, you can't see much outside if you're close to the windows, you can pretty much only see the reflection from the inside of the restaurant. Lighting was dimmed down (but not too much) to add a relaxed and friendly feel to the place. Not cramped, good crowd, not overly noisy. Can't ask for much more.

Service - Pleasant, knowledgeable, and prompt. We didn't have to wait long to be served with entrees, mains, and cocktails. Looking around from time to time (as you do), it seemed that wait staff were on top of it all, even though there were probably in excess of 130 people. Plates were cleared in good time, and table water was refilled often.

Value - A little expensive for what you actually get, considering you can get comparable quality at other restaurants for 10-15% less. Could improve, but I won't complain. Portions are not generous, but not tight either. The bill for the food/drinks listed above came to $164, but dropped to $131 with the discount.

Recommendation - 8.3/10 - Definitely one that you should try. It's not "spectacular", but it will make for a pleasant evening with your significant other, friends, or family. Everyone seemed happy, and the restaurant just had a nice feel to it.

Quick tip: Get there a bit early because even though there is a decent-sized carpark, it, and surrounding street parking, is all taken up by other patrons at Dedes, Watergrill, and the Lounge itself.

Will be back!

Oct 23, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Had a wonderful 60th birthday celebration last Sunday with family and friends. Great view, great food, great service! My wife showed me the bill - I was pleasantly surprised. I would have expected it would have been far more expensive than it was. Tip - get there early. Parking is a problem. Highly recommended.

Oct 17, 2011 

5.3 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  2     

The self serve area has way better food and better value.

The service was great, however, for the price paid the food quality was questionable. For a vegetarian pasta dish just shy of $30 you'd expect more than 3 ravioli's, for a garlic bread of almost $7 you would assume there would be more than 2 average slices of bread etc etc.

The overall consensus at our table was there was something missing in every meal. Not a bad restaurant, however, I can't say I'd be selling myself to go there again when the bistro outside has the most amazing chorizo penne and grilled beetroot salads and tables where you are close enough to the people near you that you don't have to shout.

Aug 30, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  7     

Ate there last night and had a lovely time.

We ordered: Olives (although not officially a menu item, they were more than happy to give us a bowl). Rocket beetroot pear salad - delicious. Mains - Surf and turf - although delicious, our only issue was that the difference between our main and the steak of the same size and cut was only One prawn but it cost $6 more. Also, the spinach was more of a garnish and not worth mentioning as a vegetable side.

Dessert tasting plate - OMG amazing. Waiters were fantastic, very entertaining and warm and friendly and attentive. We'll come back, even without the Entertainment voucher.

Jul 10, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

We had lunch here for the 1st time last Sunday. Although the restaurant was full and buzzing with some larger family groups, the service could not be faulted. We were shown to our table, with initial drinks and appetizer orders taken quickly and courteously. The outlook across the river is pleasant and the restaurant and staff are well presented.

The wine list has some good wines at reasonable prices if you choose with a little knowledge. The food, however, was more miss than hit, the John Dory and Lamb were overdone, and the green beans served with the fish were barely blanched. The tartare served with the fish of the day tasted like a commercial bottled version. The worst part of any dish was the horseback prawns which were tough.

Most dishes are served with some vegetables or salad which obviated the need for but additional sides. The consensus was that the food was, perhaps, upmarket club, but not a good restaurant standard. A nice day which would have been improved with more finesse in the kitchen.

Jun 20, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

What a nice restaurant, Seafood was so fresh. Great spot to dine.

Apr 14, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Dedes was absolutely perfect. The food at Dedes was fantastic for their prices. The food is very well cooked and the serving sizes are quite decent! Beautiful Location and execellant service. I would highly recommend this restaurant to all. Will be back again.

Mar 23, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

An amazing restaurant. Such a fabulous place for dinning to find surround in Sydney.

Feb 28, 2011