Macleay Street Bistro

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  7     

Easily the best service in Potts point. Can't fault the waitstaff at this restaurant, the food is straight forward but cooked well and great value. The free range lamb dish on the blackboard was fantastic as was my partners steak tartare.

Oct 13, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  9     

Hadn't been to Macleay st bistro in a while, was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic service, smart looking waiters and fresh food. Nice small wine list complements the interesting food, the chicken pate with grapes and the Barramundi with a zucchini and red onion pickle and baby rocket were a stand out. Nice warm bread and a smiling happy waiter on arrival is a welcome change to eating in Sydney restaurants (we can learn something from Melbourne about good service). Overall great service and fresh food.

Sep 17, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  5     

Amazing food and very lovely staff! The pearl of Potts Point!

May 25, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

I have been here many times before and it did hold a very high ranking in my own personal Top 10 of Sydney restaurants. That was until last night. I very, very rarely find a need to send food back to the kitchen but after the 58 minute wait for my kangaroo main last night, I felt I actually had no choice.

The waitress was very accommodating and took it back. However, seconds later she came back and gave me some feedback from the kitchen staff who said that "the meat is rare so its bound to be cold."

I replied that a rare steak isn't cold unless it has been sat on the side for a long time. 10 minutes later a new meal came out which was beautifully warm, as a main course should be. My partner had finished his meal by now , so I ate alone.

When I finished we decided to leave straight away as the whole experience was so uncomfortable and unwelcoming. We ask for the bill straight away and I pointed out to the same waitress that this meal was warm. I went on to ask her or the kitchen staffs opinion on which plate was the right one? As kitchen staff was adamant the cold version was right....and yet he then sent out a perfectly fine hot version?

The waitress just argued so we paid and left. Nobody even thanked us for payment or said goodbye. So much for "outstanding customer service". In summary, good food if you're prepared to wait for it (and maybe send it back), but absolutely terrible customer service for the price point.

May 22, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  8      Value  5     

I went to this restaurant recently, with friends. I have been there numerous times before and this would have to be the worst experience. They need to smarten up in the kitchen. The time it took to serve the main was totally unacceptable. Some who ordered after our table, received their meal before us. Not Good! Most mains where ok, but not all cooked to the standard you would expect at this price point. The owner need to get out from behind the counter and see what is going on in her establishment. The restaurant was full and only two wait staff on hand. They did a great job under tough conditions. Something wrong with staffing here!

Nov 12, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Visited on a Saturday night after a two year hiatus (brought about by a disappointingly overcooked eye fillet). A last minute booking was graciously accommodated. The waiter (mildly overworked) was calm, omnipresent and pleasant. The signature entree (crab cakes with ginger syrup) were moist and delicate although they swam in a little too much syrup, which, having regard to the angle of the street-side table, formed into a little reservoir at one end of my plate. My partner's quail with porcini mushroom cream entree was outstanding (the better of two entrees).

For mains, the rabbit, chicken and white bean cassolette was tender but more soupy than expected. A special comprising beef cheeks with potato mash was one of the better I've tried. The rocket with parmesan and pear salad as a side was a crisp and pleasing accompaniment (with the baffling exception of being strewn with some leafless twigs).

The meals were so filling that desserts seemed simply out of the question (although the chocolate fondant with stout ice-cream sounded particularly alluring).
And it's BYO with a modest corkage charge. I can forgive the past transgression, am ready to try the eye fillet once again and think now that this is, perhaps, one of the better options in the neighbourhood.

Aug 29, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

What a fantastic place. French inspired food, with a modern Australian twist, making this an easy dining experience, took some overseas guests, they we so impressed with the old favourites on the Special Board. The staff are friendly and stop for the occasional chat, making you feel special. A great night out!

Aug 17, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

I went to this restaurant on Friday night and had the most fabulous time! My partner and I had a couple of friends visiting from overseas and decided to pop in to this local restaurant of ours for a bite. From the moment we walked in, the waitstaff looked after us extremely well.

My entree of the duck and pork rillette had the perfect balance and tasted fantastic and I also had a special as my main, the salmon with mushy peas which was so tasty.

We were all impressed with the value for money as I normally look around wondering where the rest of my dish is at other resaturants but here the servings were generous but not too much and we all throughly enjoyed our meals.

Will defnitely be going back and our friends can't wait until they're in town to come here again. Great meal, would recommend to everyone.

Aug 08, 2010 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Over rated eatery. We had dinner there last night, the service was horrid. The place was very smokey and not once did the staff acknowledge the problem. Our clothes reeks and we now need a dry cleaning. Our eyes were watery from so much smoke.

All we had was sulking from the waitperson. The food was very average and our steak over cooked. Chips were greasy. What happened to that place?! Appalling really. And very boring when so many exciting alternative exist. Avoid at all cost.

Jun 21, 2010 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Food menu was boring and serviced in a very plain and uninteresting way. Service was as if they wanted you to keep eating and eating and eating, very persistent to order more food. Lady servicing behind the counter was extremely rude, unprofessional and very apathetic. Would never recommend this restaurant to anyone in Sydney or abroad, unless you like overrated and dull.

May 24, 2010