Ottoman Cuisine

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  3     

I have to wonder whether the author of The SMH Good Food Guide 2011 was too generous or too polite in the appraisal of this turkish restaurant. As a food critique I was utterly disappointed with the whole experience of dining at Ottoman Cuisine. The food is tolerable which is no complement but I have to say the over-sized serving portions and the uninspiring nature of the cuisine is a major disappointment. The waiting staff are no better, if not absent-minded at times. I was surprised that the menu had not been updated when the waiter replied to me that the dish I selected had been retired from the menu a couple of months ago... how hard is it to update a menu? That question is for the management team.

Jan 22, 2012 

2 Not Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Whilst the food is good nothing can justify or excuse such poor customer service. Not worthy of one hat.

Sep 28, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  7     

I dined at Ottoman with my husband and mother in law on Friday night and was pleasantly surprised! The food was delicious, from the dips to the entrees and mains. The standout was definitely the spatchcock. It was cooked to perfection and so very tasty!

Service was attentive and friendly but not the best we have experienced at other similar priced venues. Prices are on the steep side but would return.

Sep 07, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

We have just had our third visit to Ottoman Cuisine. This was the first time for lunch, and the sun on the harbour was a great backdrop to great tasting and nicely presented food. Our party had duck, beef and veal mains; all different and interesting. The meze starter is a standout, with 6 different dips. Service was helpful though rather overstretched among too many tables.

Jun 26, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

There are better restaurants and this one is highly overrated. We were invited to be part of a birthday party group of 13 and as the hosts had eaten there previously it was suggested that the best value was the tasting menu at $60 a head. As I have a limited diet this did not suit and the chef very kindly contacted me so that a suitable repast could be organised.

After much debate, I chose a fish dish off the menu and he offered a side dish of lentils. The evening turned out to be a disaster for everyone. I would have had to sit for an hour waiting for the fish so I ordered a salad minus the walnuts. For a cost of $10 I received a bowl of lettuce with dressing and what seemed like two tablespoons of pomegranate seeds. The lavosh that was supposed to be included in this exciting dish had been left off.

The service was interesting to observe. What was obvious was the shortage of staff. As each course came out, one waitress went round the table serving each person their alloted course, not of equal portion size. So that the first was warm and the last person served had a cold portion. When my fish appeared, the vegetables placed under the fish were hot and the 2 skewers of fish were luke warm, obviously left sitting on the stove for a while, and the lentils did not appear.

Do not expect generous servings. Do not expect reasonably good service from the kitchen, nor will it be hot. You needed a magnifying glass for the tasting dessert plate and the coffee was disgusting by all accounts. I had to wait 20 minutes for the Turkish coffee and when it finally turned up it was luke warm and grainy, served in a traditional tiny cup that meant one-third was coffee dredges, it must have been the last of the coffee pot.

The hosts were very upset with the service, portion sizes and charges and emailed the senior staff who of course blamed the customer and his floor staff. There is a lack of organisation for the front of house and very poor timings in the kitchen. Athough the flavours were good and the meat was excellent although cold by the time the waitress served it, none of us will be returning to this venue in the future.

Jun 10, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  10      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  6     

We have been to Ottoman a few times now. It was definitely one of our favourite places as the food is just so different to anywhere else. I had always read reviews that the food was great and the service was appalling, I never found this to be my experience. Until Now! We ventured back to the restaurant for my Dads birthday a few nights ago only to find a gentlemens club having their annual meeting there. They were quiet enough. They did take up half the restaurant but it was definitely not at capacity.

The staff were walking around like chickens with no heads. It took 10 minutes to get our drinks, which was fine, the wine we ordered was out of stock, the waiter when asked what the specials were had to run to the kitchen and check. 15 minutes later he returned. Um Hello this is a hatted restaurant and the waiters don't even know the specials.

Entrees came out quickly and were great. Then the wait for the main began. Obviously the gents club had put their orders in so everything was held back. At one stage we were waving the wine list in the air for someones attention. At the end of all this, needless to say, their tip was minimal. No apologies for the bad service of course! Doubt we will return.

Jun 08, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

2 couples enjoyed a great experience. Rather than take a chance with us ordering from the menu, we simply let the waiter bring whatever was good that evening. We were not disappointed and all of us enjoyed every dish. Some of which we would not have normally ordered. Service was great and efficient at a good pace to match our eating speed. Worth the experience.

May 10, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went there for lunch with a group of 12 and had the banquet. Food was good and the venue has superb views as well. All in all it was a very pleasant experience. The different dishes came out at a steady pace and the service was very professional.

Apr 29, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Went here on Saturday night with 3 friends with low expectations considering previous reviews on this site. However, soon found the food and service matched the fantastic views of the harbour and dominating Harbour Bridge we had from our outdoor table setting.

Three of us went for the degustation menu with matching wines and were not disappointed by either the excellent food (my favourite was the stuffed zucchini with goat feta) or wines (the shiraz was a real winner for all of us).

Lesson - take restaurant reviews with caution and go try it yourself.

Mar 21, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

We celebrated my wife's 50th here. We all had the degustation menu and thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was very very good indeed, friendly and efficient without being over the top. For a special night, this one is totally recommended.

Mar 20, 2011