Porteno

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

The food was pleasant but too rich because it was full of meat that were rather oily, in my opinion I'm quite surprised it has 2 chef's hats. Definitely no delicate or light flavours. Service was efficient but their no-booking system is simply exploitation of their customers as someone rightly put it. This restaurant isn't worth all the hype.

Feb 18, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Firstly there is no wonder this place has rounded up so many accolades and recognition!

On arriving at Porteno, we were told our wait for a table shouldn't be any longer than 30 minutes, which was exactly what was delivered. Didn't mind the wait at all though as cocktails in the bar came with an amazing atmosphere.

As we sat, services was attentive and helpful. It was a shame the pork had run out but the dishes we ordered instead were lovely.

Both my partner and I commented on the fact that the owners Ben and Elvis were still in the kitchen working away (not too good for the hard yards once being on TV). It was a really nice touch.

Can't wait to come back!

Feb 15, 2012 

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

The 8 hour lamb had an extremely strong unappealing smell and was very fatty. The remainder of the food was reasonable in flavour and average in presentation. I am not keen to return to this restaurant.

Feb 02, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

The brussel sprouts are excellent and the highlight of the menu. I could have eaten just them and nothing else. The lamb was OK but I found it very fatty and oversalted. It may have been the cut however. Service was good ad the staff friendly.

Jan 23, 2012 

4.5 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  4     

It is a shame that the hostess was rude and pretentious. The service staff kind of look like actors at a themed-restaurant in Disneyland. The space has great potential though, and I had high hopes for the food. Unfortunately, while the food was decent, the high expectations for a two-hat restaurant fell short. Also, the weird booking policy doesn't help and was more of an annoyance than anything.

Jan 17, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Very rustic, very tasty and very busy. Since they don't take bookings for small tables you'll have to get in early. They let you wait at the bar if you're so inclined.

The suffolk lamb, brussel sprouts and Argentinian pavlova with dulce de leche are knockout dishes.

Also very reasonable, you'll walk away very full having paid less than 100 each. Obviously not cheap compared to say, Maccas, but why would you compare it to that? Only downside for some may be the lack of air conditioning, the table sharing and the noise. Not a quiet sit down kind of dinner.

Jan 10, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

Well!, if you like your meat I recommend the pork and the lamb, they were both to die for! The long and slow cooking method they employ here has paid off, the pork and lamb were both so succulent and soft, it was heaven. Great wine list and very good vibe, the aesthetic value of the restaurant is great, a good space to eat. It is a bit pricey, but well worth it and am looking forward to going back in a couple of months time when it is colder weather, because winter is best suited for this fantastic type of food.

The bar upstairs is ok for one or two drinks, cocktails aren't cheap but well made and the selection of beers is limited, some bar staff have no sense of humour, but most are fine.

Dec 30, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  5     

My food was very good, although not without complaints. We ordered two empanadas, one meat and one vege. The vege one was by far much better more flavour and texture. Then we went for the 8 hour lamb and the steak. I am a huge fan of Argentinean food and culture being of similar decent myself. The lamb was so tender and wonderful worth the $44 (it is a big portion, too big for one, not big enough for two though).

I loved the brussel sprouts, however, I was so disappointed with the steak. It was only offered in medium rare, which is fine because thats how I eat my steaks, anyway, but it came out more rare than anything and my girlfriend couldn't eat it. It was also pre cut which I didn't like at all but I gathered things there were made to share and the seal on the steak made the outside a little bit tough.

I wouldn't recommend the steak, which is a shame as it is one of the things I love most about argentina. I would come back as over all my dining experience was positive.

Dec 15, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

The dishes are homely style, served by happy waitstaff matched with enthusiassm to serve guest, I mean their service undoubtly deserve to be included as one of the best casual dining in Sydney. Dishes like Suckling pig and pavlova as every diners and reviewers are wanting when one visits Porteno.

Read more on my blog

Dec 08, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  6     

Love love love this place! it's just such a shame that the ridiculous amount of time I had to spend waiting to get a table for dinner. However, we spent a nice time upstairs in the very cool bar drinking lovely argentinian red and eating olives! Service = excellent. Back downstairs at dinner, and the light after the darkness of the upstairs bar really hits you! Lots of meat - high on my list was the beef ribs, the fennel salad, the calamari entree and the polenta.

Dessert was pretty poor, it was bizarre chocolate concoction with far too much coffee. All in all, a cool place although, perhaps, overpriced. Still a great place!

Nov 27, 2011