|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
User Reviews on Razors Edge Restaurant, The
|
| |
|
Displaying 1 - 10 of 63 comments
|
| |
|
Page:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Next
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
4 of 11 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
  
|
Average |
 |
Food 4 |
Ambience 5 |
Service 6 |
Value 4 |
|
|
Critics at the film review website rottentomatos.com give 8/10 to this restaurant's namesake, a film starring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney, but regrettably I cannot be so generous in my score for this restaurant equivalent of that classic 1946 film.
I had high hopes given the many gushing reviews on eatability and to be fair the night did start well in that we scored a great parking spot nearby on a busy Saturday night, snared a great table in the front window alcove and had a charming waiter.
Unfortunately in our view the food did not match the eatability hype however and neither my wife nor I were at all impressed, especially given the rather extravagant prices being asked. I don't mind shelling out big bucks for food so long as it's great. I can even tolerate high prices with less than perfect service and surroundings so long as the foods up to scratch.
I must concede that my pea and ham soup entrée was flavoursome, hearty and of high quality but curiously didn't contain any peas that I could discern but rather black beans which not only meant it was muddy brown in appearance (it's meant to be green) but that it tasted like bean and ham soup, not pea and ham soup. Some may accuse me of being a bit picky but I had actually wanted pea and ham soup. At $12.50 the inclusion of a bread roll and butter (as is traditional) would have been nice but we were fast learning that sticking with tradition was the last thing on the kitchen staff's collective minds.
My wife dislikes spicy food so ordered the san choy bow entrée which is traditionally quite bland. Unfortunately we failed to appreciate that the sambal oelek mentioned in the description (a fiery paste of ground chillies) was employed so lavishly that it obliterated all other flavours and made it impossible for her to eat leaving me to do the honours which was fortunate as my soup serving was so niggardly there was plenty of spare space for extras. I love spicy food but this dish was hard going even for me. They really should warn diners that this dish was totally unlike the traditional bland san choy bow and only suitable for extreme chilli lovers.
My 'three sausage and black bean hot pot' main course (so that's where the beans in my soup came from!) was stodgy at best despite the many and varied ingredients allegedly used in it's making. For instance I could only discern one type of sausage and it didn't appear to be like any of the three apparently used, either in texture or taste. The overwhelming flavour was that of beans... hardly what you want to taste when paying $26.50. I did curiously receive two small bread rolls with this dish. Who knows; maybe they forgot to put them out with the soup and were playing catch-up.
My wife thought that her chicken thigh fillets wrapped in bacon were fairly taste free, not entirely fresh and rather small in size given the $26.80 price tag. She actually thought that the $3 chicken mignons we get from our local butcher and bake ourselves were far more impressive. The 'douphenious (sic) potatoes' base (it's actually dauphinois) were surprisingly bland given the rather flouncey reputation this potato dish has. The only thing flouncey about it was the name, and they even got that wrong! Apart from the potatoes there were no vegetables included which was a bit stingy given the price. You could always order these as a side dish...for $7.80 extra!
My wife's lime and lemon splice tartlet at $11.80 would have been OK if a little pricy were it not for the bizarre inclusion of chocolate sauce dribbled all over the tart which all but ruined it. What were they thinking? At the price I think it was rather ruthless to ask a further $1 to include a scoop of ice cream; it should have been automatically included for the base price and would have improved the dish a bit.
My coconut and mango pudding was the only saving grace for the evening but sadly it was too little too late and as with my wife's dessert should have included a scoop of ice cream for the price as it would have complimented it greatly.
The final act in this farce was to bring my wife a flat white instead of the cappuccino she'd ordered and when this was rectified they still blew it by failing to make it weak as she'd requested.
I hope this review serves as a sobering antidote to all the solemn hymns of praise being sung about this very ordinary and overpriced restaurant. Along with fixing up the food issues they should really do something about the cramming. To get from my table to the toilet out back people at other tables had to stand up so I could get past.
And another thing: the only tip I give a BYO restaurant that charges corkage (or screwage as it should more correctly be called these days as most bottles are screw top and easily opened by diners themselves) is not to charge it. In my view it's only licensed restaurants that are within their rights to charge corkage as they're simply trying to protect their own liquor business which is fair enough. This is not the case with BYO restaurants so the sooner they drop this unjustified gouge the better. As such the $94 bill was paid tip free and I didn't bother with my usual advice about BYO as I don't educate mugs as a rule and we won't be back in any case.
|
|
Response from Management:
In response to the review by Greg Graham as the song goes where do I begin, to start the "gushing" reviews and "hype" on Eatability are unsolicited views of the general public.
The word traditional does not appear in the description of our pea and ham soup which contrary to Mr Grahams belief does not contain black beans. We offer bread as a side dish if you chose to order it, your choice. Again the word traditional does not appear in the description of our version of san choy bow which can have any number of variations. He obviously new what sambal oelek is so why was this dish ordered if his wife dislikes spicy food? Again your choice. A little communication with your waiter would have helped in your decision. They are not there to lead you by the hand through every dish. The Razors Edge is known for not "sticking with tradition" as our many regulars have appreciated since 1989.
The three sausage and black bean hot pot has Italian, Weiswurst and chorizo sausages with actual ingredients as described, NOT "alleged" as he states, served with bread rolls as intended. Why would we deceive our loyal clientele?
We lease a narrow inner city shop with limited storage space and small menu to guarantee freshness to state otherwise is as offensive as his petty review. The chicken dish he mentions with dauphinois potatoes (sliced potato baked in cream and egg flavoured with nutmeg) sage and walnut stuffing, baby rocket and a port and cranberry sauce, flavourless??? And yes steamed vegetables are $7.80 should you choose to order them and he is right $3.00 (I doubt that price is correct) at your local butcher is a very good price for you to cook them at home. Perhaps he and his wife should do that instead of frequenting restaurants to find spelling mistakes.
Now to dessert.
Again if he and his wife had communicated with the waiters they could have had the lemon and lime tart without chocolate if they had asked, if the combination was so "bizarre" why order it at all?? Everything is stated plainly on the menu it is the customers choice to order ice cream or not (with the 3 courses for $45.00 plus tea or coffee the ice cream is complimentary) they didn't order it so I do not understand the issue. Ice cream costs us to provide, shall we give it away?? After all this is a business we are operating not a charity. Comparable restaurants charge above $14.00 for desserts not $11.80 or $12.80 with ice cream.
Now the error with the coffee.
Mistakes can happen on a busy night like we had when they dined with us, again I hope they are understanding this lesson if things are not to your liking let the wait staff know so it can be rectified or replaced!!!
If they recall the evening properly as they seem to think they do we had a long table of some quite large patrons dining with us who had every right to be here as they did, is it so hard to excuse yourself to get past? Was there size also an issue with this?
His "advise" about the concept of corkage in B.Y.O. restaurants is ill informed. You are bringing a product into an unlicensed establishment we do not sell, so therefore corkage is not to unscrew the cap of your wine bottle it is for the use of our utensils, service and environment or perhaps they would prefer to drink tap water all night and not spend the $2.00 each corkage or even lash out and purchase an orange juice or mineral water. Then perhaps they could drink they're wine out of the bottle at the bus stop outside. I don't think he bothered with his usual advise about B.Y.O. because he didn't have the courage to state his dissatisfaction about anything from the moment he and his wife tried the entrees he would rather sit in front of his computer screen to rant the drivel I have just read. Nothing can be fixed if we do not know of your dissatisfaction!
Oh and a little education from the "mugs" at The Razors Edge Restaurant. The word T.I.P actually stands for "To Insure Promptness" which "traditionally" would be paid before you sat down to dine.
I doubt this couple would find better value than offered for full choice of an a la carte menu for $45.00 plus tea or coffee.
One last thing if Mr Graham and His wife should ever consider returning The Razors Edge Restaurant I would seriously ask them to please, please reconsider.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
Greg Graham -
See my reviews 61 , 12 August 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 8 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 10 |
Value 8 |
|
|
|
Some dishes can be brilliant and some average; I have had duck that was melt in the mouth, delicious and a steak dish cooked perfectly but also had the ribs that were dry and tough, all said when they get it right, as on my last visit, the food is fantastic. The service is always friendly helpful and extremely professional. The ambience is great being a comfortable mix of fine dining but having a relaxed atmosphere.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
RJP -
See my reviews 4, 02 August 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
|
Recommended |
|
Food 6 |
Ambience 7 |
Service 8 |
Value 6 |
|
|
|
This restaurant was a disappointment given the reviews found in this website. The quality of the food is marginal. The pork was extremely dry and so was the ribs. The sirloin we ordered was - again - dry (it was meant to be medium rare and ended up being medium). The only saving grace was the service.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
misspiggie -
See my reviews 4, 28 June 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 8 |
Ambience 8 |
Service 10 |
Value 8 |
|
|
|
It was pleasant but not outstanding. I would come again sometime.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
Doco_messenger -
See my reviews 5, 04 June 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 10 |
Ambience 10 |
Service 10 |
Value 10 |
|
|
|
I recently organised a surprise birthday dinner here for my partner, and 11 other friends. The service cannot be faulted! We had the upstairs room to ourselves, the waiter was fantastic all night, and the food was fabulous. I forgot candles for the cake, and they were more than happy not just to supply candles, but then to present the portions beautifully as dessert for the table. Thank you guys for a faultless and thoroughly enjoyable evening. I will definitely be returning.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
MichaelJ -
See my reviews 1, 22 May 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
|
Below Average |
|
Food 2 |
Ambience 6 |
Service 8 |
Value 2 |
|
|
We went to Razors Edge through word of mouth. Expecting great food, we were awfully disappointed with the quality.
Entrees... the vine leaves were highly recommended by the waiter but it was the worst vine leaves we ever had, the leaves were under cooked and very fiberous. The spicy eggplant moneybags were no way as tasting as in the menu.
Main.... we had crispy skin barramundi on a bed of crsipy rice noodles salad. By the time the dish was set down at the table, the crispy rice noodles was soggy and in little pieces, made it looked like they had used the last bits of the rice noodles in the packet.
The only upside to the dinner was that the waiter was great and friendly. But will not recommend this restaurant to any of my friends and definitely won't be going back again.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
toto75 -
See my reviews 1, 28 April 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 9 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 10 |
Value 10 |
|
|
My husband and I had a brilliant Saturday night out at The Razors Edge. The service was exceptional; it was smooth, genuinely warm and friendly, and most of all professional. The servings were amongst the most generous we've seen for a long time, and on a cold, rainy night, the vibrant flavours and happy atmosphere were just the thing!
Highly recommended are the confit of pork belly with seared scallops, the kangaroo (rare and exquisitely tender) in black and white sesame seeds, the rack of lamb, the wild barramundi in the citrus dressing (very zesty!), the cinnamon and orange-flavoured chocolate mousse, and the coconut and mango pudding. The coffee was great and we appreciated the complimentary port at the end. Although we were the last customers in the restaurant, we were not hurried out.
There are posters of the 1946 film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel 'The Razor's Edge' in the bathroom - a nice touch! The epigraph of the novel reads: "The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to pass over . . . " - my recommendation is that you don't pass by this restaurant without giving it a try! It's opposite the Enmore Theatre, so you can catch a show afterwards if you get there early enough.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
maximojo -
See my reviews 2, 21 April 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 9 |
Ambience 9 |
Service 10 |
Value 9 |
|
|
My girlfriend had just arrived back from Holland and she was keen to get back into the great food that Sydney can provide. I have to say that Razors Edge delivered in every way! Really nice Ravioli, nice atmosphere and very courteous waiters. I would not have a problem in recommending this restaurant to anyone.
I have never felt so relaxed in restaurant and to the chefs and waiters/waitresses of Razors Edge- Thank you. Keep up the hard work.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
flipside76 -
See my reviews 1, 18 April 2008
|
Manage this Listing to respond
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
|
| |
|
| Overall |
|
Highly Recommended |
|
Food 9 |
Ambience 10 |
Service 10 |
Value 10 |
|
|
We were welcomed with a genuine smile as soon as we arrived and the welcome continued for our whole visit. Rarely have I felt as at home in a restaurant as I did here - as other people have said, it's like visiting friends in their front room.
A small plate of dhal with some strips of flat bread for drinking arrived as soon as we were shown to our table, as well as water (and directions to the local bottle shop since they are BYO only). We had the chilli crab ravioli, fantastic flavours though a little light on crabby-ness, then the smokey eggplant cannelloni, and the filet mignon. Both were wonderful.
Despite being completely full we couldn't help having dessert - especially as there's a 3 course special Tuesday to Thursday (including coffee or tea). We even had gratis dessert wine. Fantastic value for money, great food, great atmosphere and we will definitely be back.
|
| |
|
Was this review helpful?
|
|
| |
|
pommiefoodie -
See my reviews 73, 06 March 2008
|
|
|
Special OffersRegisterTell a FriendAdvertiseRestaurateursLogin
Hi, Anonymous
Favourites
Website
Map
Weather
Tell Friends
Print
Add to your list
