Longrain Restaurant & Bar

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  5     

After looking forward to visiting Longrain for such a long time, we were quite disappointed with our first visit here. As mentioned by previous reviewers, the service was very variable, the delay far too long (over two hours to get a table), and the food not particularly better than a decent Thai fusion restaurant elsewhere.

If you are a glutton for punishment, however, the smoked kingfish salad was an exceptional stand out favourite of our table. Otherwise, for quality Thai without the attitude and the long delays, try the other offerings in Thainatown instead.

Feb 19, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  7     

Within the first minute of walking into Longrain, my partner and I got a bad vibe. There is no greeting section or waiter to seat us. Instead we waited (standing in the middle of nowhere) for about 15 minutes just waiting to be noticed. Not a good start! Perhaps, its some sort of mind game they play on their patrons in order to appear so busy and popular?

However, given all this, once seated the vibe turned around and the service became friendly and attentive. Dining arrangements were not preferable (sitting along a bar right next to other couples) but were Ok.

Food was amazing. We had a pork dish with was like little cubes of heaven (would go back solely for this dish!) fish curry was also amazing. Not bad for either a nice long weekend dinner with friends or even a quick mid-week meal with your partner.

Will be back again! but hopefully we get noticed at the door this time!

Feb 15, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I got taken here by one of my suppliers for a christmas lunch. Because it was during the december period, we could not get a table and were seated at the bar, this was perfectly ok as the seats were comfortable and the table top was actually quite spacious.

Service was fantastic, we were seated quickly at the bar and the bartender/ waiter was engaging us with fun conversation and trying to get us to buy some cocktails! I thought he was great. We were starving so we went straight for the mains. Had a duck red curry and whole snapper which was deepfried. We decided to go the brown rice, I was personally very impressed that they had a brown rice option.

Food was brought out to to us quickly after the waiter helped us pick the food. Serving sizes are pretty generous, good for 2-3 people. Delicious! I enjoyed my time at Longrain and would be keen to go here for dinner. The atmosphere is canteen-like which is quite fun.

Jan 15, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Tried the banquet menu at a birthday recently. It was by far the best banquet menu II had so far. Really liked the oyster as entree, the dressing was very appetizing, also loved egg nest salad. Mains were all quite nice but not too sure of the name of each dishes as I didn't get a chance to look at the menu. Banquet menu was a little expensive but considered good value for the quality of food we got.

The restaurant also has a bar underground with quite a selection of spirits avail and make some nice cocktails too. Very convenient for meeting up a little early for a drinks or two before dinner.

Jan 04, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

Surprisingly bland food. It's not particularly expensive but it doesn't deserve its high-flying reputation. The service is excellent however, as are the cocktails.

Nov 28, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

This would be my favorite restaurant if they are not too expensive. The food is so beautiful, not Authentic but modern Thai, can't find their food in Thailand. I won't say they are Thai but they're great!

By the way, my fourth time here I found that my favorite Hock pork was too tough! The waitress didn't change a new one for me, they just gave a coconut ice-cream instead!

Nov 23, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  6     

Overseas visitors and gathering of 8 people involving high school friends prompted me to bring them to Longrain in Surry Hills as this Thai restaurant only takes bookings for large group. Large groups were seated in the comfortable oval tables that were great for conversations.

The food was of high quality. The reputed deep fried pork hock was crispy on the outside while still gelatinous inside. The lamb curry was also excellent. And make sure you ordered one of their signature cocktails. Service was rather inconsistent, too rushed in the beginning yet missing in action during the meal.

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Nov 20, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  2     

A previously great restaurant gone backwards big time! So disappointed with "our special night dinner" the other day. The food was ordinary yet expensive and the service was terrible! There were seats available all evening on a Saturday night. That never used to happen. Guess I am not the only one to think things have gone downhill.

Nov 15, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

I guess I could have been expecting more, but I wasn't wowed like I thought I would be. Sure the food was good, a lot of skill and effort in presentation, but at the end of the evening and now, a week later, I couldn't tell you something that stood out.

Sorry guys, I wanted to rate you higher, but I just wasn't feeling it.

Oct 27, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Enjoyed a wonderful evening at Longrain with 4 galpals. We attended the Delicious (magazine) does dinner at Longrain. $115/head and real value for money. Each course was accompanied by Bellvale wines and the staff were generous topping up glasses as needed. The betel leaves topped with smoked trout, chilli, garlic, galangal and trout roe was a knock out! Longrain has had a refurb since my first few visits about 8 years ago and I don't know why it's taken me so long to go back! Probably that they didn't take bookings (I hate that!). Delightful night, excellent food and on this occasion real value for money. Give it a try and have a predinner drink in the great bar downstairs, nice vibe (but slow service there).

Oct 25, 2011