Flying Fish

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  3     

Great food but at $300 for lunch for two (and only one of us was drinking) I couldn't help feel a bit ripped off. I've had a similar quality bit of fish at the Carlisle Hotel in Newtown. The bar downstairs is good for a drink with great views.

Jan 29, 2010 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

Came for an early dinner. I had the scallops for entree. They were lovely and fresh. They were sitting on boudin-noir, not sure what they were, but were virtually tasteless, as was the creme sauce. However, I thought the pine-nut dressing was very good, just needed a tad more. Partner had roasted duck breast with something and a rillette. Was quite tasty, but a bit boring.

Mains were barra for me. Pan fried skin side down on pea puree with some greens and pearl onions. The fish was lovely, fresh, quite white and cooked beautifully. I found the pea puree to be very bland, and the onions seemed to big to be pearls. Partner had panfried flathead wrapped in jamon (spanish prosciutto). I didn't try it he said it was nice. We both felt the food was fresh and very nice, but nothing really seemed to 'stand out'. The dished were well made but lacked flair. I also felt the food was a little heavy.

Hmm, my gripes, I asked for sparkling h2o for me, still for partner, we both got sparkling. The restaurant was too warm for me. My partner was comfortable initially, then felt too warm after an hour. I felt quite stuffy. Nor did think much of my vino. I had a glass of the sicilian white, not really impressed and didn't finish it. I also found the waitstaff to hover way too much. Also, when informed of the specials the wait person ummed and ahhed his way through the 3 dishes. Not polished at all.

All in all, lovely food but not spectacular. Service was fine, but not terribly genuine and too interruptive.

Jan 22, 2010 

4.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  2     

My partner and her mother and I dined Friday evening last week. I was hesitant to go back again after my disappointment of the last time I was there. Unfortunately, I was again disappointed. The entree of fresh oysters was exceptional but the food went downhill from there. I had the flathead fillets and while they were well presented, the taste was average. My partner had the same dish and she too was disappointed.

Dessert was again well presented but it didn't provide the wow factor! The service is quite poor for the reputation of this restaurant and for the cost $550 for 3 people, you would expect a much better level of service and a great 'experience' with your food. I believe it is very over rated! We won't be going back despite it's location (we are locals).

Jan 15, 2010 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

NYE was a great night at Flying Fish. The Sri Lankan guy who took care of us made us feel warm and his service was out standing and he is one funny guy too had a night with great food and lots of smiles thanks to him, forgot his name.
will sure come back .

Jan 05, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

Arrived a little after our booked time of 7:30 pm last night for a late Christmas dinner. We were greeted by a very rushed door woman who advised us that our table was ready and led us through the restaurant to our seats. I noticed that the same lady kept rushing through the restaurant throughout the entire evening, not very professional at all.

We were given our menus by a lovely asian waiter who tended to our needs throughout the night. He had a very calm presence and was a pleasure to deal with. The sommelier, on the other hand, could do with some lightening up.

Started off with half a freshly shucked dozen oysters. The best oysters I've ever had leaving me wanting some more but we had to leave room for our entrees and mains. Our entrees were the tempura prawn hand rolls and the white scallops. Hand rolls were good but I wouldn't want to pay that price again for hand rolls. Scallops were absolutely beautiful. To top it it off, the Hungerford Hill chardonnay went well with them.

Moving onto our mains. My dining companion had the lamb loin which was divine. Very tender lamb. I had the flathead fillets which was beautifully prepared. We also had the chips which lived up to the hype. Finished off with the dessert tasting platter and tea. Chery semifreddo was a big hit here. All our meals were timed perfectly.

Absolutely love the look and feel of this place and it has definitely left an impression on me. The location of the restaurant is also a winner here. Definitely beat another 1 hat restaurant, that I have visited, by far. The bill came out to be $260 for the two of us, an amount we were happy to pay.

Dec 30, 2009 

6 Average

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  6     

Absotuley perfect food! Every food that was served was stunning and tasted beautiful. This is the only positive thing about the restaurant. Specials and items not available were only advised after tried to order something that they did not have available. Head sommelier in his suit not only looks arrogant but actually is. Requested bread 3 times before finally getting some more.

Meals take far too long between each course. If offering souffle for dessert and takes about 25 minutes, should advise somewhere on the entree/main menu about this and guest should order in advance. Don't want to be offered the dessert menu after main course cleared and realising have to wait another 25 minutes to have the souffle. The food is the only reason would visit again.

Dec 25, 2009 

4.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  1     

Unfortunately, I have to say I was extremely disappointed with the food that I ordered on Friday 5th Nov. The service and venue were delightful and I will say my entree' (scallops) were ok, however, my main (blue eye cod) was cold, flavourless and unexciting. My partner echoed similar feedback with regards to his meal (cannelloni and prawn curry).

Of course, this is compounded by the price of the dishes, which do not get me wrong I am more than happy to pay if I am getting value for money. Simply, in this instance, I do not believe I was paying for the refined skill of a chef or a carefully designed meal with a unique combination of flavours.

Dec 16, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

We had lunch here with the Christmas lunch crowd but the noisy diners didn't deter from our experience. My only disappointment, the oyster/sushi bar area could be moved to the centre of the restaurant (downstairs) as it has a great view. The mix of flavours and textures in the food was really well thought, we had, soft shelled crab nori rolls, scallops with pumpkin puree, red prawn curry (and condiments), flathead and scampi and chilli chips.

They managed the process of the meal really well and got us out in time requested, even politely reminded us to order coffee which arrived with petit fours.
Bottled water wasn't as cost effective as it could have been and next time we'll go for Sydney's finest tap water. Good selection of wine by the glass. Can't wait to go back for the degustation at night time!

Dec 11, 2009 

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

We had lunch here last week and were very disappointed. The food was bland and the service quite rude at times. Over priced and not worth another visit.

Dec 06, 2009 

6.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  4     

We had a family lunch here for SIL's birthday. Unfortunately, happened to be the hottest November day in 27 years. The restaurant was stifling. We asked the waiter if the air conditioning was on and responded with "It is very hot outside today, it is on full" even though we were sitting in little pools created by our own sweat! Not a comfortable dining experience. We asked again about the air conditioning and were told that it was on and that was that! No explanation or apology.

The food on the other hand was beautiful with fabulous attention to flavours and textures. The servings were a tad on the small side but all agreed the food was fabulous. The waitstaff were a little condescending and I even watched 2 of them behind the bar obviously talking about our table to each other. Apart from the lack of air-con my biggest gripe would have to be the 8% surcharge they add for groups of 9 or more. There were 8 adults and 2 small children and we were slogged with it. Not exactly sure what the reasoning is behind it as the service was not particularly great, just adequate.

I really wish these restaurants could employ waitstaff with some knowledge of the service industry, they aren't doing us a favour. Also watch your bottled water bill, they just keep topping it up without asking whether we wanted to purchase another bottle. Unsure if I will go back, possibly not positive enough for a repeat visit unfortunately.

Nov 23, 2009