Ottoman Cuisine

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  7     

My partner and I went to Ottoman for our anniversary this year and were not disappointed. I love that the chairs are actually comfy and make you want to stay sitting at the table!

The waiter suggested we have tasting plates which was a fantastic way to try five different dishes - and for $60! We were really happy with all the dishes we tried, the lamb was delish.

My favourite was the creme brulee for dessert, oh it was the kind of dessert that makes you wish you were at home so you could just swipe your finger around for those last little bits the spoon won't catch!

Totally agree with the comment about the service below though. The service was weird to say in the least. Our waiter had an odd habit of walking off when he was in the middle of a sentence and the long waits to get attention was a little tiresome. Lucky the chairs were so comfy...

Dec 10, 2007 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  7     

The food here is amazing, servings are slightly small for the price but the quality is amazing! Both my partner and I had lamb, which was very tender and done medium rare which was great. My lentils were quite crunchy which was disappointing but my partner's broad beans were cooked perfectly.

I had Turkish delight for dessert and he had the flourless chocolate cake. We initially thought that the waiter had given us the wrong meal (which happened with our entrees) because the cake was more like a slice, just dark choc and orange; wasn't very cake like. However, though the food was great the service has a lot to be desired.

I initially thought the critics I have read (both in the SMH and on this website) were not being very kind, however, I can now understand why. Service was really bad, we had to wait over 10 mins to order drinks, and then a further 1/2 hr to order our meals. Our water glasses were constantly empty and so were our wine glasses.

Also, when I asked questions about one of the wines he kept answering to my partner which irritated me, it was like I didn't exist. The ambience is beautiful, lovely lights and chairs; however, there are many places in Sydney that have gorgeous food, but great service as well.

Nov 26, 2007 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

We had booked for a pre-theatre dinner and sat at a table overlooking the harbour and the harbour bridge. Table placements allowed for privacy with ambience. Service was excellent with no sense of rush despite our deadline. The waiter suggested that we have a tasting menu of small helpings of dishes and this was a very good choice. Not cheap but costs in line with upmarket restaurants.

Nov 25, 2007 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  3     

We must have come on a bad night given the reviews below that speak so highly of the service (or do Sydney siders really rate outright rudeness as a good thing?). I could understand a cool reception if we'd been outspoken, poorly presented or troublesome, but our group of four polite professional people couldn't have been further from it.

The place itself was beautiful, but I've had better food for a lot less expense.
Finally, I've only gone to this website to get their phone number as I've just found they charged my visa a further amount the day after our dinner there! Will never go near the place again, and I usually give places a 2nd chance allowing for everyone having an off night.

Nov 19, 2007 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Without question my experience at the Ottoman tonight rates as one of the most positive dining experiences that I have ever had. Everything from the food to the amazing service and overall value for money. Eight of us embarked on an annual dinner and were thoroughly impressed. Our waiter was very polished and handled other guests with a spirit and sincerity rarely seen in Sydney restaurants. A fabulous experience.

Nov 02, 2007 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  7     

We were invited to dinner last week at this restaurant and I was absolutely blown away. Based on the reviews on here, I am happy to report that the service was very good, infact we were a party of 5 and we had 3-4 people fuss over us at different times, checking if we were happy and explaining the food as it came out. Very nice views of the harbour bridge, easy street parking and overall a beautifully decorated restaurant if not particularly Turkish looking.

The mixture of entree's were to die for, the organic chicken skewers with chickpea, tomato and cinamon(?) were a taste sensation! Unfortunately, even for a Thursday, once a group of slightly tipsy males (all in suits) arrived at the table behind us, things were a little too noisy for my taste and the staff did little to quieten that lot down. Disappointing.

Oct 21, 2007 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

My partner chose Ottoman Cuisine as the place to celebrate my 48th birthday and I must say it was the perfect choice, best food I have had in the last 5 years in a Sydney restaurant. Service seems at times to have been lacking in the past but on our night we could not have had more attentive service.

I was unsure of how to order and was pleased to have our waiter choose for us, and he seemed to know just what we would enjoy. We had a great table on the side overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, and being a warm spring evening it was just perfect.

I can only say we had a fabulous evening and although the reviews I have seen on here are not the best. I say give it a go, and if you have trouble getting a cab from out front, do as we did and enjoy a lovely walk around The Sebel Hotel and catch a cab from the Quay. Thanks Ottoman Cuisine

Oct 11, 2007 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Visited Saturday night of the October long week-end with a group of six people. We all had the $70 per person package of around seven courses. To our surprise the service was outstanding, food arrived promptly and plates removed as required, sometimes with two staff. Everyone in the group commented on the quality and flavour of the great food. We had beers, sparkling and a bottle of great NZ Wither Hills Sav. Blanc. Total cost $530. Overall a great location and excellent dining experience.

Oct 04, 2007 

6.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  2      Value  6     

Visited Ottoman for a birthday celebration in July 2007. It is a shame that the wait staff let this place down. The food, the location are perfect. The staff very aloof. Seems they have their heads stuck where the sun doesn't shine. Poor wait staff, makes for an unpleasant evening. I hope the management review their staff. Then Ottoman will be on the top of the tree.

Sep 18, 2007 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  4     

Great food as per Canberra, I read the Sydney Morning Herald, Good Living Review about four weeks ago where they stated service was an issue. We went when it wasn't busy, the service staff were really trying hard, however, it's not coming together. For example, waiters wondering the floor with food, desperately looking for who it might belong to. I asked a question about the style of an imported wine on the list, our waiter said he'd have to send someone to help. I thought that's promising, unfortunately, the person who came to help couldn't even enlighten me on the grape variety, let alone describe the style.

The overall experience was very enjoyable and I'll probably go back, however, they are charging prices that are similar to many one and two hat restaurants so to survive they really need to lift the service. If the great Turkish man is listening, please think about a professional front of house person that can give your eager, well intentioned staff some disciplined organisation. (just a thought).

Sep 14, 2007