Orso Bayside

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  5     

This review's based on a large function that was attended. Food (mod-Oz) would have been fantastic if only my main course (medium steak) was not cold. The service seemed not bad, and I can't comment on value. Best thing about the restaurant is its location, very fetching views.

May 08, 2012 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  1     

One of the worst restaurants I have been to. Over priced tasteless and bland food and the wait staff were terrible. Never again, no wonder the place was empty.

Apr 23, 2012 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

Orso had always been one of my favourite restaurants at the Spit.

With this is mind and after not been there for Christmas over the last three years we decided to make a booking and the menu looked reasonably good on Christmas Day.

I have to say that with great sadness I will never go back again, the food was cold, the waiter absolutely appalling and when I bought to the proprietors attention he had a non caring attitude.

The view is superb that was about all. We made a booking with the proprietor for 1pm he, however, stated that they had a lot of bookings would it be okay for us to have a booking for 2pm that was fine not a problem.

Upon arrival, however, we had the worst waiter one can ever imagine to me faulty towers was nothing compared to this experience everything was too much of a drama and a problem for him.

He brought out the bread rolls and we asked if they could be warmed up he told us that the kitchen was too busy and, hence, he could try and see what could be done.

The entrees come out cold and then he brought two pieces of bread along with that which had been sliced and warmed which is okay not great.

Anyway, the mains were not great either, my sisters order come out raw he didn't even bother to ask if she wanted her meat well done, I gave her my turkey which was tasteless and I can assure you we go to alot of five star restaurants and had we not come all the way in we would have left right there and then the food was awful you would get better food even in a simple cafe, our whole day was ruined by the waiter and later on by the proprietor as I told him how disappointed I was then.

The desserts were no better my guest ordered the sticky date pudding no sticky date sauce of course this dry unedible piece of cake just on the plate.

The salad that was brought out to us did not even have a little bit of vinaigrette or some dressing, it was a disaster I would not wish this experience on any one, it is a pity Orso used to be so good, please even if you don't like someone don't take them there.

One more thing we had a choice of five desserts but by the time they got to us we got told only two choices were left which is very poor considering it is christmas, anyhow I thought just let it go, then I realised people who had come after us two tables to be specific were given further options one being the
sweet that we choose and got told that they had ran out again I bought this to the proprietors attention he said oh well they probably ordered before you which was not the case this is the lamest excuse I have heard Orso, unfortunately, proved how unprofessional the restaurant is. The rating of 1 is very generous it should be - 10.

Jan 03, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

This restaurant does have great views and it's a nice to dine by the water on a sunny day and have a relaxing lunch. It was pretty quiet so service was attentive and polite. We decided to share some entrees which was good but not worth the price you pay and the highlights being the dessert tasting platter for two but overall I thought this venue is overpriced.

Oct 09, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  5     

The location is what makes this restaurant, and they appear to trade heavily on functions, wedding receptions, birthdays, etc. The service is passable, slow and at times indifferent.

The food was Ok, but not memorable, and but for the views, you would not bother going back. The gnocchi was burnt and overcooked, the duck was very fatty, yet the snapper was reasonable.

Their wine list is quite good, however, overall given the price for a meal being on average is around $90 per person plus drinks, it is expensive for what it is and again, you pay for the view.

Jan 27, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

The scenery is stunning and the menu is terrific. Its very seafood dominated (it’s a marina!) and I will be going back to try additional dishes and they all sound so good and different to the standard offers of other seaside restaurants. Today we had the seafood platter which was dominated by both fresh seafood and excellent variety. The oysters, scallops and mussels were the stand-out for me, the prawns were on the other end of the scale (they were acceptable but I don't think they’re sourcing the best prawns they could be for this time of the year).

The platter was $70pp (off memory) so pricy yes but also justified as the ratio of fresh vs. fried was heavily favoring the fresh (only the fish was deep fried). For dessert we had tiramisu which was the traditional style where the sponge dominates over mascarpone (it was amazing, one of the best I’ve ever had) and the apple tart had exquisite pastry, bordering on perfect.

Add a bottle of wine and a coffee and total bill was $220 for two. For other reader’s reviews, I agree the scallops are a standout. I also agree the waiters are very professional (make that extremely professional) and they have an excellent waiter to diner ratio and the waiters attend to you very inconspicuously.

I see another reader said the waiters were rude and not smiling and maybe that’s how you could interpret them as they’re not have-a-chats or overly animated people but that’s the traditional hospitality service model, prompt, efficient and non intrusive. My dining companion does love a chat with a waiter (and the people at the table beside for that matter) and the staff humored her enough in my thoughts so I personally have no complaints with the service and am ticking the “professional” box vs. the “rude” box.

I also agree the flocks of pelicans are a feature but don’t sit outside if you have a bird phobia as our waiter was constantly shewing them off the balcony railing. We went today as a special occasion (my birthday) and I can guarantee I’ll find a reason to go back there asap.

Jan 04, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Went here in a large group (16 people) and were given a 3 course menu for a set price per head, which was quite reasonable. This also included breads and olives on arrival and tea/coffee. Our waiter seated us and proceded to bring water to everyone at the table without being asked.

General concensus was that the scallop entree was by far the best. The dish was beautifully presented and all food tasted very fresh. Seafood mains were also a stand-out but the lamb racks were also nice. Desserts were delicious and very moorish.

All left the restaurant full and there were no complaints over small servings, in fact they were quite generous servings given the price and location. The restuarant is in a great location with relaxing views of middle harbour.

Dec 17, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  3     

Just had an awful experience at Orso. For starters the service was very slow. The Sydney Rock Oysters I had did not taste fresh and were not shucked correctly as most of them had several pieces of shells in them. To make things worst was the fillet of Beef. I ordered medium-rare. It came out well done. When I queried this the food came back and I was told that it was "how they done medium-rare".

The beef had almost no pink and was quite brown and chewy. A very sub-par meal all round. We have been there several times previous and had the seafood platter as we live close by but will never be going back after that experience!

Dec 11, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went here for lunch today with a group of 4 and we all enjoyed our meals. Entrees were delicious. Main courses were cooked beautifully. The service was excellent. Definitely will visit again!

Sep 30, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  4     

Nice spot, not a stand out on the food front all "just" if you know what I mean.

Jun 26, 2010