Fat Panda

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  5     

Food is great here. Service, however, was messy. Food was slow and the waiters got mixed up with where the food went. Creme Brulee glaze was so thick. Hard and burnt I could not break through it (was like toffee). Senior staff made up some excuse its served that way but we both knew somebody messed up with the glaze. Overall, good food and below average value. You could have this stuff at the city for the same or lower price.

Jan 09, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  6     

Sushi is decent for the area. I like their entrees but the mains (mainly noodles for me) are not great. Same goes for their green tea ice 'cream' - way too icy. And I don't know why, but there is always a depressing feel? Especially at the sushi train. Everyone is just so hush hush. I think because it's so small and intimate. So come on, sushi-making guy in the centre... please talk and create a lively atmosphere! Unless it was created for lonely diners, then I'd be happy to sit at the tables with friends to talk freely. Staff are nice.

Jan 06, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

The food here is always freshly prepared. Prices are also good.

Dec 13, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

I have to say, it's a great place to have quality fresh sushi especially out in the west. The dining is casual with nice interiors and the service is simple and sweet. Not a black tie dining experience but an easy laid back atmosphere.

Nov 05, 2011 

4.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  4     

A friend of mine finds this place the best sushi she's ever had, but to be frank, maybe it's just that she can't be bothered to venture out of the local area to try other places. I have been a handful of times in hopes that I will have the same reaction as my friend towards this place but every single time I've been there has always been something that puts it down, from the service to the food itself, there has always been a flaw.

The food itself is freshly prepared, although there is a sushi train, the plates on it look like they had been rotating around for a while as they hardly ever look fresh or welcoming. The safe bet is to order straight from the menu, the couple of times I've had udon here were shocking, the soup always has a weird flavour to it, either there's too much sides or not enough, never something in between. The sushi (when ordered) comes out fresh and much attention on presentation rather than the food itself, which is rather average.

Service is good but they could be more helpful and friendly, when we asked whether they take cards they looked simply appalled and gave us a blunt "no", which meant we had to walk across the street in the blistering cold to withdraw cash. This place certainly charges the same amount as the city ones but I rather travel the extra 45 minutes for quality service and even better food.

Aug 25, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

One of my friends favorite places and I hadn't been in a while so I thought I would check it out again.

The restaurant has a sushi conveyor belt at the back and seats at the front. I tried the sushi which was nice but the choices seem limited. Also tried their bento box which I didn't find good value. They also had desserts which I didn't have enough room in my stomach to try.

Ambience wise it looks out of place in its suburb (no offence, I live close to it by the way) with tvs on the walls, the ambience has a posh but relaxing atmosphere.

Service wise it is better than your average sushi place, the waitress came to me quickly and was friendly. There is no other sushi places around the area, this is a good place to come for some sushi.

Aug 06, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

As we walk in we were surprised to see a sushi train, the sushi is very fresh also the hot plate dishes, (chicken and beef) are very good, expect to pay $30pp, but it is well worth it, we will be back soon.

Jul 20, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

This restaurant has become a regular haunt of ours first going there last september we have gone there at least once a month since. It is a comfortable relaxed environment to eat dinner with plenty of variety for those who do not like fish or seafood.

The salt and pepper calamari is a favourite I swear it melts in your mouth, the teriyaki chicken is also delicious full of flavour and also tender the mashed potato on the side I first thought was an unusual choice but it compliments it.

We tried the creme brulee recently and it is delicious as well. They regularly have different specials which help particularly when my partner is someone who is only a recent sushi lover (I finally convinced him to try salmon only took me 6 months).

We have always had great service there, friendly and informative and as for value for money we usually spend about $50 for the pair of us (minus alcoholic beverages). We never leave hungry.

I have recommended friends to Fat Panda and I will continue to go back.

Jul 20, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Delicious dinner at Fat Panda on the weekend. It was my first time there and only my second sushi/japanese dining experience. It was the perfect dining experience. The ambiance of this is place is amazing as soo as you step in you know your in for a treat. It's a small intimate restaurant, great for dining with another person or small (4ppl) groups. Most the tables surround the chefs who are working their magic, with only 3 or 4 tables by the window. The food was beautiful and fresh. Standout dishes I highly recommend were: Salt n pepper calamari, nigiri unagi and nigiri scoared salmon and the green tea was really lovely. All staff - from door host, to waitress and chefs - were fantastic. Attentive, warm and friendly! As my partner and I are not big Fishy fans (I know we are probably in the wrong style of restaurant for non fishy options) but what we ordered was not overly fishy and the staff member whom assisted us was fantastic in answering all of our questions and explaining the menu and giving us the best suggestions for our fussy tastebuds. No complaints at all for the pricing of the food. It was worth every cent, and I can't wait to return.

Jun 20, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I dont understand what people expect to pay when they eat out? $25-$30 pp is very reasonable for a meal at "any" restaurant. If its fast food, then yes, its exspensive... but you pay for what you get.

I've been to Fat Panda 3 times now (we went on a friend's reccomendation) and my partner and I have enjoyed it each time.

The food is presented so beautifully. We noticed the radish sliced thinly, the carrots julienned beautifully, the fish cut perfectly (no flesh torn)and the beef was naturally tender (no bicarb soda used here). Its the fine detail that makes the difference between a restaurant and a restaurant of skilled chefs. This place is a hidden gem.

The owners are always so friendly, You can tell they have passion for what they do. The manager at front of house is always so obliging and you can tell she runs a tight ship (i think she is the owner?) and in turn, the staff are very efficient and genuine.

Its no fine dining here but what I love about this place is that its not pretentious - its just about the food! I hear from friends of different circles that they have quite a little cult following.

Jun 09, 2011