Epic Brasserie

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Pffft! Swiss-Grand advertises itself as 4.5 star - the buffet breakfast is definitely not. We stayed for a weekend and ate breakfast there twice.

The Nespresso coffee was pretty good considering it came out of an automated coffee machine. However, on the Sunday morning the machine was no longer working as the display panel indicated it needed descaling. Only when my partner pointed out to the staff that, perhaps, they should put a sign up saying it wasn't working did they bother to cover it up.

The bread selection was disappointing, only English muffins, white or multi-grain sandwich bread that obviously came from Tip Top or similar. There was a chef in the kitchen who cooked omelettes or eggs to order, the usual selection of hot food, yoghurt, fresh fruit, danishes.

The buffet is advertised as being open until 11 am but the chef started packing up the fruit at 10:50 am which is fine if they let people who are still eating, know as a courtesy that food is going to be put away shortly. They did do this on the Saturday morning and I would have thought this would be a standard courtesy and practice in a 4.5 star hotel.

Kids under 15 eat free breakfast if dining with their parents and you are staying at the hotel. We also got 50% discount as we are members of the Accor Advantage Plus club so it was good value at $30 for a family of 4 but don't know that I'd pay full-price.

There's no view inside the restaurant although you can sit outside on the terrace.

Nov 12, 2009 

3.8 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  5     

Went there on Valentines night with 3 other couples. Had pre booked a set menu but when we arrived they said the set menu was only for couples so we would have to sit seperate even though the receptionist from the Swiss Grand asked the chef and he said it was fine earlier in the day. The tap for beers wasn't working so we had to order beer in a bottle and amazingly it came out hot for all our beers even though they were different.

Returned them and they handed them back 15 minutes later after cooling them and it was still average. There were only 3 waiters including a host. Terrible service. Some of the food was really nice though. Ruined our valentines. They forgot 3 of our side dishes so e jus cancelled them. Would never go back there again. They need some atmosphere as well.

Feb 20, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  8     

We tried the new share plates and asked the waiter to make recommendations, so he brought out the best. The food was fantastic and they made sure there was enough for each of us. We topped off the night with a drink at Cream Tangerine overlooking Bondi Beach!

Jan 22, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

When my English cousin said she was too tired to leave her hotel to go for dinner in Bondi I was a little nervous, but this restaurant proved me wrong. Located on the first floor of the Swiss Grand Hotel, Epic Brasserie at first seems quite a bland spot for a meal, until we were seated at a table on the window and glimpsed the waves of Bondi outside (albeit through some people on the balcony, which we were told is run separately).

Then I was happy to see a share plates menu which offered an excellent selection of meals with far more than your ordinary tapas-style dishes. There were four of us so we decided to order a few dishes and share them between us and the waitress was very helpful on which dishes we should order and in what sizes (small and large).

First of all, the sourdough bread arrived which was simply the best bread I've had in ages. Super soft on the inside and still warm from the oven, it was served with yummy chilli olives (or so I was told as I am not a fan). Then we had Szechwan spiced calamari with chilli dipping sauce which was crisp on the outside and tender inside.

We followed that with field mushrooms filled with goat's milk fetta and thyme which were good but could have had more seasoning. The King Island mini fillet mignons with assorted mustards were cooked to perfection, the duck breast with saffron potato and wild mushroom salsa was my favourite dish of the night and the tender junee lamb skewers were deliciously tender and served with a chickpea dip.

We were also recommended to try the wild rocket, pear and parmesan salad with white balsamic dressing (so simple and yet so good) and some chips with aioli (crunchy and golden and just as they should be) as sides, although I later noticed a pea and panchetta pot which sounded like it might be worth returning for. They had run out of the wine we ordered but the substitute was a good alternative and our waitress could not have been more helpful.

There are so many other dishes on the menu that my cousin and her boyfriend went back once more during their five night stay and already hubby and I are talking about returning with some friends. Especially because the bill came in at under $40 a head, with most dishes coming in at around the $14 mark (small sizes vary from $8 to $18). We ordered the filet mignons and duck as large sizes and at the end had so much food we couldn't fit in dessert.

The setting itself is not very inspiring and you don't get a huge ocean view but it is there if you look. The decor could do with some freshening up but by the end we didn't even notice as were enjoying the food so much.

Jan 22, 2009 

4.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  2     

What a waste of time this place was. The decor reminded me of an upmarket RSL club. Very much a case of no imagination and a bit tacky. Anyway to the food. The adult cost of the buffet is $69 and half price for children from 5 to 12.

The price apparently is because it's a seafood buffet. Okay there were prawns, mussels, crab, smoked salmon and oysters. Throw in a couple of average style salads, a bit of cold cuts, some very average curries with rice, a couple of vegies and that's it for the savoury food. There are RSL's and Clubs with better food. As for dessert there were three choices, profiteroles, strawberry tarts and tiramisu cake.

No coffee or tea included in this price. The service is enthusisatic and they do clear up very quickly with the bowls of prawn heads etc. I will definitely not go there again. There are much better buffets and it's not like you're paying for a view as you can't see the beach from inside the restaurant. Give this a big miss!

Mar 22, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Excellent food and service. Views are fantastic.

Mar 05, 2008 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Superb ambience, view of the beach, wonderful buffets on Saturday night - the food is great and so is the service!!

Apr 15, 2006 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  7     

Very reasonable restaurant, located in the Swiss Grand Hotel. Very much a bland atmosphere but food and service are okay. However, do not try the laksa for the entree. Very average.

Apr 13, 2006