Restaurant Thirteen

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

I have been to Thirteen three times now and definitely intend to go again. The ambience and feel of the restaurant is very pleasant and relaxing. The owner looks like Bilbo Baggins from Lord of the Rings and he is the most gorgeous friendly host and waiter.

The food is delicious. The first time I went, I had the best garlic prawns I've ever eaten but by the time I'd come back a second time, the menu had changed. The new prawns entree was delicious but I craved the garlic prawns so the third time I went, I called ahead and asked for the garlic prawns and Thirteen graciously agreed to make them for me.

The mains are all fantastic. I highly recommend the beef and lamb. The only area I think that Thirteen is ever so slightly let down is desserts. The creme brulee is very enjoyable but the other desserts are not quite up to the standard of the delicious entrees and mains. Do not be deterred by that though. They are worth a try and I think it's just that the entrees and mains set a high standard.

Overall though, Thirteen is one of my absolute favourite restaurants. Definitely worth trying.

May 23, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

My husband and I dined at Thirteen for the first time this week. We had a very warm welcome and were impressed by the intimate atmosphere of the restaurant.
I feel that my husband may have made the wiser choice in his menu selection. The salmon and tuna entree he had was superb. I had the Antipasto as a second choice as the menu did not include my first choice of cheese souffle (as per the website). The antipasto was good but the zucchini flowers were a little dried out which was disappointing.

My husband chose the beef for his main course which was very good. Again my first choice from the web menu would have been the Pork Belly and scallops but this was not available so I went for a very tasty duck dish. The sauce with my husband's beef was wonderful and we found out from the owner how it was created. Our side order of potatoes were a little soggy and under-cooked towards the bottom of the bowl.

We were rather too full from our entree and main to go for dessert this time.
There were a couple of improvements that could have been made but overall this was a great dining experience, we really enjoyed it and will definitely be back again when I will go for the beef main course!

Feb 27, 2012 

4.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  3     

Disappointing evening overall. Although my partner and I were warmly welcomed with this cosy local restaurant on arrival and the ambience was pleasant, poor service and a long delay with our meals led to a disappointing night. Scallops and zucchini flowers were tasty but the beef was flooded with red wine jus which was overpowering and looked like an RSL steak and gravy, not worth the $35 price tag. Won't be going back.

Response from Management:
We had to respond to this review. 
We believe that giving us a 4 for food is unfair given your own comments : "... Scallops and zucchini flowers were tasty ...", not to mention the fact that we do not know how you rated your mains. Silence explains a lot! 
Then, you have given us a 3 for service. Unfair. According, again to your own comments :"...my partner and I were warmly welcomed to this cosy local restaurant on arrival...". This is part of our service. What was exactly that you did not like about our service? 
Then, you have given us 3 for value. Sorry but you do not know how much time is spent on, let's just say, the main 3 components of our Black Angus eye fillet. The 3 components are : eye fillet, potato dauphinoise and red wine jus (please do not compare it with gravy, ever). 
The red wine jus is made with stock that takes at least one day to be produced. 
We use for every eyght portions two bottles of red wine 750ml. Just the fact that you have to spend hours and hours on your feet to do the stock and then the jus, and then the potato dauphinoise, which are sliced, and then each slice is placed in layers and brushed with the cheese mixture and then baked. 
Then there is the eye fillet, which is trimmed, rolled and is only cooked when you order, and is cooked to your liking. 
We know that there is a lot of value in that. More than the "$35 price tag". 
And also as those ingredients are cooked separately, and plated at the last moment, none of the ingredients will overpower each other. 
Each ingredient has its particular flavour and this is what is great about our dishes. 


We have also given you the best table in the restaurant (service), and you have booked late on Saturday, arrived last and left first. 



Management 

Restaurant Thirteen

Feb 07, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

A hidden gem! Googled "best restaurant in neutral bay" and was not disappointed! Excellent hosting by the owner. Perfectly cooked scallops and zucchini flowers with Gorgonzola stuffing with a sauce so good I was tempted to lick the plate clean (I would have done in the comforts of my own home :-)). Rack of lamb perfectly cooked. The filet of beef, jus and daphonoise potatoes were the best I ever had. The only gripe was they did not have the twice cheese baked souffle that was advertised on their website. I was told that if I rang ahead next time and asked for it they would prepare one for us. This I will definitely do! Relaxed and quiet ambiance. Great for a romantic night out, or with a friend, or simply if you appreciate good food!

Jan 22, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Good food and pleasant efficient service, with a varied menu. The only negative is that the entrees are on the small side, but the food is tasty and this restaurant is worth a visit. We will go back.

Jan 14, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  5     

The food is very average in this restaurant and I am not sure why it has such a high rating? The waiter (could be the owner) was nice.

Jan 02, 2012 

8.7 Highly Recommended

Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Went here for dinner on a Thursday night to catch up with some very good friends. We were warmly greeted and I felt like it was my local restaurant despite never having been there before.

Loved the elegant and simple decor, the location near the water and that parking was easy. The food looked great, smelt great and tasted even better. I had the scallops (perfectly cooked with a slightly smoky flavour) with beautifully smooth cauliflower puree, followed by melt in your mouth eye fillet again perfectly cooked medium rare. Topped it all off with an affogato. Yum Yum. My friends had the stuffed zucchini flowers and seared tuna for entree and lamb cutlets and duck for mains, no complaints there either. Being byo made the cost appropriate for what was a fab meal.

I had deliberately wanted to be away from the noisy and busy military road restaurant strip and was not disappointed in anyway with the decision to eat at Thirteen. Definitely will be going there again.

Nov 18, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  10      Value  10     

Can't understand why this restaurant isn't busier than what it is. It's fantastic food that is worth every cent. Not cheap but not outrageously expensive and certainly excellent value. Ambience could be ramped up a touch with slightly louder, better music.

Oct 13, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

We dined on a quiet midweek evening, and had the place to ourselves for some time. Which enabled our attentive host to give us his undivided attention, how spoilt! We had the cheese souffle and scallops for entree, the duck and beef for mains, and the bombe alaska for dessert. All of which was beautifully cooked and presented, and tasted great.

Happy to recommend. Even the homecooked bread is worthy of a special mention. Elegant but understated decor, and a great location. Prices are good and byo keeps the bill modest. Thanks Dimtri for a lovely dinner and a nice experience at your restaurant. We will return.

Aug 11, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I took my parents to this restaurant last week after a friend recommended it to me. I was very impressed with everything and we all really enjoyed our meals. The owner of the restaurant Dimitri was very friendly and welcoming and we did not wait long for any of the food to come out. The restaurant is small which gives it an intimate feel which I liked. For entree we had cheese souffle and zucchini flowers, they were delicious. I will definitely go back again soon.

Jun 01, 2011