Raymond's at Northbridge

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

I recently discovered this Chinese neighbourhood restaurant. I was surprised how busy the restaurant was on a Friday at lunch time. It was nearly packed by mostly locals and regulars. Quite a number of working people as well. The host seems to know quite a number of their diners and were very friendly, giving kisses and hugs. It was nice to be walking into a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We ordered 2 dishes for lunch, combination seafood chow mien and prawns cooked in XO sauce. Both dishes were done well. Seafood chow mien was surprising lovely unlike the unusual fair. Noodle was crispy, topped with seafood cooked in starchy sauce with some shredded ginger.

The prawns in XO sauce was fine, I thought it would be a tad spicy like what you would usually get when you order pipis in XO sauce but I didn't mind it. Prawns were medium size and I like it when they don't "jazz" up the prawns to make them super crunchy. Both dishes were good.

Service was attentive as I didn't expect that a little restaurant in a suburb will have these kind of service, serving you a portion on your plate when a dish arrive, check if we were fine with the food. I'd come again for dinner with a couple of friends so that I could try out more dishes.

Aug 19, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  4     

We have been here twice now and found the meal to be over priced and disappointing. The meals have lacked flavour and some items were served luke warm. Single tables are too small for more than two people.

We found the wait staff intrusive, pushing hot teapots under and across our nose to pour for another seat and distributing portions without asking if we even wanted some of that menu item. This style of service may be seen as attentive by some but we found it really annoying.

Our waiter failed to deliver a simple entrée as ordered correctly although we went over it a number of times. He would not listen. We didn’t worry about sweets or coffee.

Jun 05, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  3     

Expensive for Chinese, but the ingredients are of a much higher quality than other local chinese places. A large menu with many great choices. Good service, fast and friendly.

May 17, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Sensational, I have been going to Raymonds since I was a kid and living in Mosman. Now living in Northbridge and Raymond has followed me. Beautiful food, always fresh and always comes to the table hot. I recomend any of the freshly made dumplings made onsite almost daily and also the many special creations you can ask for even if it isn't on the menu. If it can be done it will be done as long as there isn't a queue out the door on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. Going with more thatn 4 people, I suggest calling to make a booking.

Nov 15, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Food was Ok, tasty enough. Lamb pancakes are nice. Prices are a bit on the expensive side for what it is, but not unreasonable. Bring your own baby chair. The harness is broken on the restaurant's high chair.

Oct 08, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

We used to go at Raymond in neutral bay, care of a friend then lost track, till we found it has moved to Northbridge tacked away in the little plaza with a much better accessibility. Glad Raymond is still around. Food is always good and Raymond a great friendly host.

Oct 06, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

We used to go to this place now and then when it was located in Neutral Bay. We recently discovered it had started up again in Northbridge and thought we would try it out. It was more upmarket at Neutral Bay, they have replaced the suits for polos and caps. Food was a little disappointing, they seem to have gone downmarket but the prices are still upmarket.

Jun 26, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

It's completely outrageous that Raymond's is so close to my home. I have to say that the food is excellent, I usually have the Beef with XO sauce, a lovely burnished taste with great proportions of meat and vegetables. The Lamb pancakes are always a great starter. My real favourite is a simple dish, Chicken with Ginger and Shallot, its a simple dish but so tasty.

I sometimes have the short soup, what I really like is that the dumplings are fresh and made on site. If any criticism and its pretty minor, I wish that some effort would be made with a chinese dessert. Perhaps, some coconut jelly might get a better rating. In all - I would really recommend Raymonds.

Jun 06, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

Delicious food. Such a great local Chinese. The duck pancakes are the best I have ever had. Really friendly service, we always go back!

May 01, 2010 

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

Apparently the owners moved this place from Neutral Bay to Northbridge which I'm not sure was a good move as they were very quiet this Thurs evening. I feel sorry for them as they're trying to be a little more upmarket than many cantonese places but they are located right beside a busy family pizza restaurant and rude and unthinking parents allow their kids to run wild right outside the front door of this restaurant. I can't abide parents who think its fine for their kids to disturb other people as long as it keeps them from disturbing the parents meal.

Started with steamed mixed dim sum and a short soup, which were both pretty standard. For mains a tasty XO Cognac Chili Beef, which had a bit of kick but couldn't taste the cognac, Pork Ribs in Peking Sauce, which were very sweet, and BBQ Pork which was very nice. They only do special fried rice, which was quite tasty if not overly special.

Service was efficient if not particularly friendly. They are a bit dearer than many. Cost us $100 for three which I feel is about 10-15% more than we pay elsewhere and I'm not convinced they earned it.

Mar 12, 2010