Fresh User Reviews in Dural

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

The staff were all really friendly and the food was good cafe food. The coffee was nice and I really liked there cheesecake.

May 20, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Went to this cafe with friends and enjoyed it immensely. The service was fast and friendly, food was lovely and fresh, servings are generous, we were very happy with everything. It's one of the best cafe's in the Dural area, we will be going back.

May 15, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

We tried Barlame for the first time on Mothers Day, a bold move yes but I had a feeling when I drove past that it could be a winner, I was not wrong!

The décor is lovely, definitely upmarket modern Thai food, everything we ordered was delicious Panang Curry was as good as I had it in Thailand. Lovely staff, they were very accommodating to the allergy needs of our table. They did not rush us at any stage but were attentive all through the meal, very nice to find this balance.

To top it off my Mum and I both received free mothers day dessert that was so beautifully presented I took a photo! Best Mothers day in a long time.

May 14, 2012

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  1     

I ordered the chicken, waited 1hour 15 minutes, it was cold, potatoes not fully cooked and salad tasted days old, a bland unappealing meal. Understaffed. Terribly loud environment, worse parking. It was very overpriced. I definitely would not recommend to anyone, I had a nice breakfast here a few years ago but I would never return in its current state.

May 11, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Great restaurant really loved it. First time we tried this restaurant as it was recommended by friends and we loved it. The food was amazing and the portions were great value. The lamb was a hightlight as well Aa the homemade tiramisu. Will return again.

May 01, 2012

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Worst thai ever. I don't know how/why others have rated so highly but we had the worst thai meal ever here. Pandan chicken was dry and oily and not wrapped in Pandan. Beef in our stir fry was dry and chewy, almost like it had been stewed. Seriously save your money and don't bother with this place.

Apr 26, 2012

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  5     

Quite expensive which would have been ok if the items listed on the menu were on the plate. Hash browns missing with no explanation. Service was dreadful. Slow and when we requested water it never came. I have been several times but this weekend may have been my last. Such a shame as the food is usually good.

Apr 23, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  1     

I was there for breakfast for my Sister in laws bday. We waited 20 minutes for coffee, another 15 to order food, when our food finally arrived after almost an hour most orders were wrong. We asked for extra bacon and were charged $8 for a few pieces and some of us didn't even get it. When we asked for it took a further 20 minutes for it to come at which we time were finished our meals.

I needed to change my sons nappy, and even though they have high chairs there is no area to change babies and I was told to 'change him on the bathroom floor'! The attitude of staff was appalling and I observed couples leaving after being told they couldn't have a table in the sun as they needed it for the lunch rush (it as 10.30).

It was increddibly expensive for slow, rude service and wrong ordered food. I had 2 hot chcoloates and poached eggs and was charged $37, Not value for money and really the service doesn't make up for it! Will Never go there again!

Apr 15, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  5     

It is a nice looking restaurant, and the food was alright, although I have had better. The chicken Tikka was lovely, but the chicken Korma wasn't as good as other places that I have been to. The staff seemed a bit slow in getting around to take our order despite the fact that it was very quiet, but once they took our order everything arrived at the right time. So overall, it is a nice Indian restaurant.

Response from Management:
Hi Lizzy1985!

Firstly,thanks so much for your review.We really do appreciate the time you've taken to write your feedback! And most importantly,we are really happy to hear that we could deliver our food right on time.

Having said that,I course apologize if there was a delay in the ordering. I can only say that we like to give people time to peruse the menu (it was 12 pages after all!) and more importantly, we don't like to push people to order before they are ready,as from our experience that can come off a bit 'pushy'.

However, please accept my sincere apologies in regards to this. Also I hope to persuade you on your next visit that like our Chicken Tikka, the other dishes we have to offer (and our Chicken Korma as well, yes! :) is like no other!

Thank you once again! We'll be taking your feedback on board for sure and we hope to see you at our restaurant in the near future, especially since we've added our new menu! :)

Kindest Regards,
T

Apr 09, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We tried this restaurant for the first time tonight and were very pleasantly surprised. The ambience and decor is very inviting, the service very attentive and the food was outstanding. We were extremely impressed with every dish that we had. We would highly recommend this restaurant.

Apr 07, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Great food, good service, lovely decor. Really nice place will def go back there again.

Mar 18, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Booked for a birthday party dinner, and the staff had no problem helping us sort out balloons and the food and such, they were very helpful in suggestion meals and they offered us complimentary drinks and spring roll entree for all 16 of us which was wonderful. As soon as everyone had arrived, we were straight away offered our entrees, which were plentiful and delicious, especially the chicken satay.

Main soon followed which included the prawn pad thai, green curry beef (my friend, an avid green curry lover, said this was very good), tofu and mango salad chicken and cashew nut stir fry (beware, this is very spicy!) and Massaman lamb, which melted in your mouth and was to die for. We'd ordered so there was a dish for each of us, but we had so much food left over in the end!

The staff had no problem storing our icecream cake in the freezer. They were very attentive and helpful throughout the whole ordeal, and everyone was very impressed by the food. I'm definitely making BarLaMe my go-to Thai in future.

Mar 17, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  1     

Being charged Corkage in an unlicensed restaurant is not acceptable. Take your own glasses.

Then there is the $16 salad, two slices of Tomato and two slices of Mozzarella. Oh and a teaspoon of Pesto, Caprese Salad, I don't mind people in business making a profit, but I do mind paying over the top for an average little corner shop cafe/restaurant.

Generally the food is good, but their pricing and the attitude towards their customers by charging too much is poor. No Corkage. Fair prices for food on a plate and I'll go back, but until then, this one is scrubbed off the list.

Mar 12, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  1     

I have been a weekly customer at this cafe for over twelve months now but after today I think no more. After making a booking for 5 for breakfast 1 of our party decided not to come. The staff were advised and proceeded to tell us that we would have to move tables as they had other bookings for 5 and would now need the table. Bit surprised as if our other person had turned up then I'm not sure what they were going to do then.

But, anyway, moved tables to not as nice position only to discover they then proceeded to sit another group of 4 at our original table. Some might think minor but just goes to show they are not prepared to look after their regulars and this staff member is quite rude most times we attend but have put up with it due to the food. To top it off waited 20 minutes for first coffee which was burnt and never offered water at any stage.

Mar 04, 2012

5.3 Average

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  5     

Let me start with the positive. The food is great here which is what used to keep bringing me back to this cafe in Dural. The breakfast and lunch is always consistently good and they are generous servings. Hats off to the chefs!

Now with the negative. The service here is quite poor! even when the cafe is quiet you can be waiting up to 10-15 minutes to receive a coffee or get served. The staff are quite rude and when you ask for simple things like water for the table the staff come across as it is a big task to get anything for you.

I guess the questions is, is great food worth it when there is poor service?

Mar 04, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

I can't advise about the service or ambience yet because I've only had takeaway from here. I will update my review once I've dined in. The food is vey good and the best Indian I've ever had. The chicken jalfrezi is a personal Favourite. I look forward to a night out here without the kids but hubby does tell me the decor is lovely.

Update: I dined in with my husband last week and we had a lovely time. The food was amazing and the restaurant was quite relaxing to dine in. The Royal court dish from the specialities menu was recommended to me and and it did not fail to tantalise the taste buds. We were very pleased with the service and value. This is the best Indian restaurant in the Hills district, in my opinion.

Response from Management:
Hi Mermaid12,

We're so glad you took the time to repost an updated review!! and twice that happy that you enjoyed your time with us! looking forward to seeing you soon!

thank you once again! really appreciate it.

Best,
Management

Mar 23, 2012

4 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  3     

So disappointed. Will not be returning. I have a major issue with restaurants that use frozen vegetables in the stir frys. The money bags were just full of diced frozen peas and corn with none of the usual lovely coconut flavour one would expect, certainly no flavour of thai herbs as advertised. The curry puffs had no flavour of curry. The massaman curry, a few pieces were lovely, a few others tasted very gamey and were too stringy to eat.

Waitress was one redeeming feature, as she was lovely and attentive. There are two televisions on the walls of an otherwise attractive room and layout. Why do they do that! Ambience stealer much! Not for us. We will keep looking for what would seem the elusive great thai restaurant in the hills area.

Mar 02, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Great fresh tasting food, superb sauces, effortless service. At last a fine Thai restaurant!

Feb 21, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

Went for a birthday, the menus were sticky food was average to poor in quality, service was ok but staff seemed a bit under trained knew nothing about the menu, dessert menu was uninspired and probably out of a packet. Go here if you have no tastebuds.

Feb 20, 2012

6 Average

Food  2      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

Went last night and at first was impressed with the setting and service. Once the food started to come out I was Not impreesed at all. Herb bread was salty and thin with a bit of dried mixed herbs. My main was beef fillet with rosti, the rosti was cold in the middle, should not use microwaves for rosti. Beef was nice but I guess anyone can open a packet. My wife had the duck with beetroot, duck had no flavour and the beetroot was plain boiled and was boring. Sauces were nice but once again with the packet thing.

We also had the fries which looked to have been microwaved or left over from the staff dinner as they were inedible, waitress knew but remained quiet. We skipped dessert as we were so disappointed to have wasted our time and money. Could be a really nice restaurant with some decent cooks, considering the menu was very small we expected those dishes to be nice, then again it is the Hills and we should have known.

Feb 19, 2012