El Bulli

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

The food here is of a high standard and our group found our wait staff to be very friendly, helpful and efficient and nothing like the reviews below. Staff regularly came by to clear plates, refill our water and generally check how we were going.

We ordered chicken wings, ham croquettes, patatas bravas, chorizo, empanadillas, meatballs and paella for two. Despite other reviews, we found the food to be fresh and did not appear to be reheated. It's true that the food comes out fairly quickly, which may cause some people to be suspicious, but as someone of Spanish descent who's familiar with cooking many of these dishes, I know that with the preparation time involved in most tapas dishes, it's necessary to prepare dishes to a certain extent in advance and complete cooking close to serving time.

The meatballs for example would've had to be slow cooked over several hours, so it's likely they have a large pot simmering in the kitchen which they serve portions from. Likewise, dishes like the empanadillas and croquettes would need to be prepared a bit in advance but most likely dropped into the deep fryer when ready to be served as an order.

Overall, I'd definitely dine here again.

May 08, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

Delicious food - love it . Will go back again and again.

Mar 18, 2012 

3.3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  2     

This place needs to taste their food before service. I will never go back. There was so much salt in their food it was inedible. Lots of people. Very small space, people kept walking in to my elbows. Not a very nice experience.

Mar 12, 2012 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  2     

I went to El Bulli recently and found my experience to be consistent with many of the more negative reviews. I didn't find anything special with the food and the service definitely couldn't be described as pleasant. It appeared to me that despite the happy spanish music and cosy decor the staff didn't appear to be enjoying themselves.

Feb 16, 2012 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I am Shocked to read some of the reviews below as I have been going to El Bulli quite frequently now since over 3 years ago!

The food at El bulli is divine definitely not "pre-prepared" or "pre-heated" it tastes fresh and delicious everytime we order not to mention full of flavour everytime! We always leave vey full and very happy, not for a bad price too. The white watermelon Sangria is my personal favourite.

The Ambience is fantastic, very romantic, initmate vibe. I have had my birthday day with all of my family and they loved it! Have even gotten a few of my friends hooked too.

Birthday dinners/parties/hens night are quite frequent but it makes the atmosphere fun, not only young people dine here, alot of middle aged people too. In the new place they have band which adds to the warm spanish ambience you can get up and dance the night away after a few glasses of wine.

Service has always been top notch the girls are always very attentive not like any other restaurant I have been to and if you over order they always let you know that the food is rather filling help us out to not overspend. Value for money is well spent, you will not be disappointed!

Feb 10, 2012 

4.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  4     

Must start by stating that I am unhappy with many popular Tapas bars like this one just serving up pre-prepared and freshly zapped meals. Additionally, the dishes we selected were flavourless and quite bland. The place has a good feel although quite noisy when all tables are occupied.

The service is adequate although not too friendly and I cannot see any value with such high prices. Good for the young office group parties, perhaps, that drink too much and don't really care what is served up to eat.

Jan 31, 2012 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  2     

I went to el bulli in Randwick with my fiancee last week and was seated outside on a share table with another couple. The food was ok (actually, the lamb was amazing), everything came out quickly and no mistakes were made. However, the whole experience was soured by a waitress that never smiled except to smirk at us when finally we left. Having just read the review by Mezbot (below), I am sure that our blonde waitress must have been the same girl. When taking our order she rolled her eyes impatiently as we tried to pronounce the menu items and offered no assistance with our order. When we were trying to decide on wine, instead of helping, she sighed impatiently at us and said she would come back in 5 minutes. While we ate, she spent most of her time glaring at us from a couple of metres away while the other wait staff delivered our food. We felt so unwelcome and uncomfortable that we couldn't enjoy the evening, and for my part I was embarrassed to have brought my fiancee to a place where we were both treated like dirt.

Jan 29, 2012 

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  3     

Disappointing. Food arrived exactly two minutes after we ordered - six tapas dishes, all at the same time so it must have been pre-prepared and simply heated up. Tapas tasted bland, presentation was average. Would recommend the kitchen staffs spend some time in Spain.

Jan 28, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

First impressions were Ok, we were led to a table in the back corner of the restaurant, however, upon our request we were moved to a roomier window table. The waiters were average and we had to ask for water refills and the wine order was forgotten altogether, this occurred as there were only 2 waiting the whole restaurant.

We found the food to be extremely overpriced with quantities that did not match. On a good note the aioli with the stale white bread was our favourite dish. Disappointed that after we asked for the bill we had to wait a further 15 minutes to be forgotten so we then made our way to the register and were politely asked whether we would like to tip. I think not.

Jan 15, 2012 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  2     

Saturday night 07/01/12 8:30PM - Worst evening ever. I have never been treated so rudely by a maitre'd. It was bad from the start, we arrived on time stating my last name to obtain the table we had booked, she huffily said that I should of said my first name too.

Upon sitting down and reading the menus the rest of our group arrived. She asked to take our order at which I politely asked for another few minutes so the rest of the group could decide. It's like I told her the worst news ever. The rolling of her eyes and the annoyed look she gave us was so rude and insulting.

When we were ready she took our order and then proceeded to eavesdrop on our conversation. She would also keep walking past giving our group dirty looks. I can't believe this girl has a job in hospitality. Go to El Bulli if you like being insulted and intimidated. I'll never spend my money here again.

Jan 09, 2012