Otto

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  7     

This is one of our favourite restaurants! We love nothing better than whiling away a beautiful arvo watching the passing parade. From the wonderful soy and linseed bread to the tasty desserts, the food has always been good, but the menu is improving. The wine list is excellent with many choices in every variety and price range.

The oysters are improving, as well. They are still not shucked to order, which they should be at a restaurant of their standing, but are of better quality than they were in years past. The truffle risotto main is decadent and bloody expensive, but it is well worth it if you share it as an entree for two. I love the rabbit main, but it has been dry and over-cooked once (out of 5 or 6 times). I have had good fish mains, and the beef fillet option has always been excellent.

Service can be patchy and it lets the food down a bit, but it can be excellent. Yes, there is good people watching, but you have to choose your days wisely. Most lunch times are good, but Fridays and Sundays can get a bit overcrowded and noisy (even for an outside restaurant) and that's when the service doesn't live up to expectations. All in all it's a wonderful restaurant, and not overpriced for the food and the views that you get.

Sep 06, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Excellent food with the desserts being the highlight. Good spot for celebrity sightings too!!

Aug 31, 2008 

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  1     

Went here for dinner and had heard a lot of great things. If I had known the food was as bad as it was and how overpriced it was, I don't think I would have bothered going. The view is really nice so was the dessert. The service was a bit overwhelming to the point where we couldn't enjoy our meal. The amount of money you pay for the food you would think it would be half decent. Definitely would not come back even if I wasn't paying!

Aug 31, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Came here for long lunch 2 weeks ago, it is always great to dine there, it was a gloomy wet day and we enjoyed as much as on a sunny day, we sat outdoors. Food is always good, service is good, price is not cheap because I can go to Rockpool for this price (service and food) but I like the atmosphere (the whole package).

Aug 28, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  6     

My top 2 favourite lunch place. Sitting outside with the million dollar boats bobbing around can't be beaten. The service is always excellent.

Aug 17, 2008 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  7     

Have dined here several times. Food is consistently good although it is nothing to get overly excited about. I think it is more to do with location and being seen in the right place that gives this restaurant all its fame.

Service was very good, plenty of attention at the right times. In terms of value we think you're paying for the name not necessarily the food. It's really nice for lunch on a sunny day if you are outdoors you can really soak up the sun and take your time, perfect for a long, lazy lunch.

Aug 03, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Some of the best food I have ever tasted!! The rock oysters were fresh and melted in my mouth, the crab and roe risotto was heaven and the spinach side was perfect. My husband had the scallop starter and the pumpkin, yabbie and sage pasta main and he loved it too.

My only complaint is that I couldn't finish it all and they don't let you take the rest with you. It is not cheap but it is totally worth it! Our waiter was just lovely as well. Even on a rainy evening it doesn't get any better than sitting at the wharf watching the bats take off into the dusk. Will be back!
(March 2008)

Went back again recently and the risotto that I loved was off the menu! The oysters will still excellent, but my main (one of the specials - barramundi) was quite plain and not great. I honestly got home and couldn't even remember what it came with, it was that underwhelming. I understand that restaurants have to change with the seasons, but literally every other dish on the menu was the same as last time we came, just not the one I liked.

I dined with 4 other people, whose meals were equally mediocre. The only memorable part of the meal was watching Russell Crowe stroll by with his most recent offspring in tow. Having said that, the staff were excellent, and as we were dining outside the girl who seated us brought napkins for us to put under all the ladies' handbags so they didn't sit on the bare ground.

I guess it is hit or miss sometimes, which is a shame as my first visit was a superlative dining experience.

Jul 23, 2008 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  7     

I’ve been here on a couple of occasions and I’ve really enjoyed it. From what I can remember, the staff weren’t the friendliest people but the food excellent and the wine list is good. It is a little expensive but I would definitely recommend the restaurant to anyone that appreciates good food and wine.

Jun 20, 2008 

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  4     

I went to Otto around 2-3 years before my recent visit. This visit reminded me why I didn't go to Otto for 2-3 years!!! The view is always good at Woolloomooloo.

The service was ok.. my issue doesn't only concern Otto but the restaurant industry. It is fine that I pay 10% surcharge on a weekend or public holiday but the staff is worst than on a weekday! The staff didn't even smile.

The food was ok... I ordered a veal rib eye (450g) when I first looked at the price $65, I thought it was a little pricey but I was excited about a nice piece of meat with some nice sauces and maybe potatoes but I was quite disappointed that it was only literally a piece of meat and nothing else. I thought they could be a bit creative with the meat dishes than serving something that can easily be cooked at home (probably better as well). The entree and dessert were good though nice portions.

At the end of the day I know that people probably go to Otto for the view and romantic occasions but if we are just talking about food, Otto is very overrated.

May 27, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  9     

The food was oh so good! The pumpkin rottoli just melts in your mouth, the whole barramundi was simple and delicious and the dessert was the perfect size. There was however a very long waiting period between meals and the coffee was not of a good standard.

I asked for a macchiato and they brought me an espresso but they kindly brought me a jug of hot milk straight away. I was disappointed that we hadn't managed to get a table outside to enjoy the view but upstairs is lovely. I will be going back there as soon as I can afford it again!

May 16, 2008