Rockpool Bar and Grill

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

I went to Rockpool Bar and Grill last night with some good friends. I have to say I left a little disappointed.

I know its name is Rockpool Bar and Grill, I just should have made a larger connection to that before booking. I found the food to be very masculine with large portions presented with little finesse. Which is interesting as it does not match the marketing material with posing woman models. The highlights would have been the sides.

As a fine dining experience there were a few details that seemed to have been missed. An example being I ordered a Penelope Sach peppermint tea to follow my meal and it came to my table in a chunky, clunky lavazza coffee cup. This hardly suited the tea and was not the refined cup to close the meal that I was seeking.

The building that the Rockpool Bar and Grill is set in is amazing, so if you have the chance to go take a bit of time to have a look around.

Apr 24, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  3     

I took my partner here for his birthday last night and we were both looking forward to it but left very disappointed.

I had the cured kingfish, salmon sashimi for an entree which was ruined by a vinigerette that was poured over it which was so so tart.

For the main my partner had the $115 wagu rump steak which was melt in your mouth but so rich and quite sickly with all the big bits of fat marbling through it. I thought it was not worth it when you pay for that steak and then get nothing with it and have to buy all your sides. The sides we had, onion rings and chips were so stodgy and definitely did not feel like fine dining, more like burger king.

I had the King George Whiting as a main and for 3 little fillets only you pay $52. The fish was lovely but not for that price and I have had much better at simpler restaurants that left a better impression. Again you have to pay extra if you want to eat anything else with your meat so by this time the bill fastly is increasing.

The desserts were also stodgy and not mouth watering and delicate as you would hope. We left paying $650 feeling sick and both came home having to be ill after the experience. Never again.

Apr 20, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

I have been to the Rockpool Bar now about 6 times in the past year. I went for the first time because I heard about the full blood wagyu burger. Having only recently starting to eat red meat again (it's been about 20 years ago since my last burger) I figured I might as well go for broke.

So my husband and I headed for the bar area (no bookings) on a Friday night. It was a cosy space, dark and intimate with the famous wine glass chandelier above the bar. While it was packed, there was a lovely hostess there to take our name for the next open table (good idea). The wine list is amazing, and the cocktails are just as good. We started off with a cocktail each while we waited for our table.

Once we were seated, we ordered 2 wagyu burgers (medium-rare) and bowl of hand cut chips. While the burgers are a little pricey ($24), it was totally worth it. It was absolutely mouth watering. I didn't realise that a burger could be crumbly and creamy. It just melted in our mouths. The bacon gruyere cheese, and zuni pickle was the perfect compliment to the burger. The hand cut chips were good, but a little too big and fat for my taste as I prefer fries. But they were pretty good.

We were absolutely stuffed and satisfied at the end of our meal. Our bill came out to almost $200 for the both of us, but we did have a delicious bottle of red wine to go with it and 2 cocktails at the beginning of the evening. So while not cheap, it was a delicious meal and worth every penny.

I am so glad that Rockpool was where I marked my return to eating burgers. Unfortunately, I tried to eat another one later at a casual joint, and no more. Since then, when I have a craving for a burger, we always hit Rockpool. The weekdays seem to be more crowded as it seems to be an after work favourite. We also went once on a Saturday night, and it a little quieter, but seemed to pick up as the evening went on.

After about the first 4 times here, I would've voted it the best burger in Sydney. However, the last couple times has really been inconsistent. I don't know if the kitchen staff has changed, but the quality of their burgers have been dropping. One time I went with 3 friends and all of our burgers were overcooked. The second time I went with 4 friends and the burgers were all over the place. One of us ordered it rare, while the rest of us ordered it medium-rare. I ended up getting the rare burger by mistake, 2 were medium well, and 2 were practically well done. It's still a good burger, so don't get me wrong, but if you're going to ask us how we want it cooked, then please make them accordingly. I want my old favourite burger back. :)

Apr 02, 2012 

6.5 Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  5     

I was looking forward to eating here. I was fortunate to be attending a work function and the 16 of us were seated in a private room which was lovely, with attentive service and a magnificent wine list.

However, many of us had the baked scotch fillet which was as tough as an old boot strap. At one point the only noise on the table was grating cutlery as we all sawed our way through the steak. Hugely disappointed in this fine dining experience, and very thankful it was on someone else's coin.

Mar 24, 2012 

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  7     

Can't really fault the food, wonderul steaks and very large servings for a fine dining restaurant. What was really disappointing was the lack of interest in us as paying customers. As we walked through the whole restaurant after paying our $400 bill, not one staff member, not even the staff at the front desk could be bothered to say thankyou or goodbye.

Its unfortunate that after such a lovely meal I was left at the end with such a bad taste in my mouth. It is the simple things that can make or break an experience, especially such an expensive one. We won't be back.

Mar 21, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

I tried the famous wagyu hamburger and a martini in the bar a few evenings ago, about as good as a burger is going to get. The fitout is breathtaking and the service excellent. The bar spirits selection is wonderful, if only other restaurants could be so good.

Mar 07, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

A great dining experience albeit can be slightly pricey especially if you consider that you're eating steak. The place and decor is grand with its marble columns, the service is good through slightly rehearsed, but I guess its to be expected for an establishment this big where an intimate feel is not exactly what you get here.

The entrees were definitely a standout, next time I return I would probably come and get two entrees instead of an entree and main. The chargrilled squid and pork belly hit all the right flavors, whilst the soft bone marrow with brioche was simply amazing, melt in the mouth experience. Their wagyu skirt at $49 was slightly disappointing as it was a bit heavy on the salt and not as tender as I would've expected.

However, I couldn't fault their grass fed rib eye on the phone, cooked to perfection and so tender. As for sides, two sides for two people is plenty, so much so that we couldn't finish them. Mac and cheese is your ultimate conform food, and the roast pumpkin with burn butter and yoghurt was divine. Definitely somewhere to try once.

Mar 05, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

I have been craving a good steak for a while so for a special occasion I booked Rockpool for dinner. As mentioned by many diners as soon as you step in you are amazed at the beautiful art deco interior and marble columns.

Service is professional and polite but more importantly the steaks! As I wanted to save room for dessert we skipped starters and went straight to mains. I ordered the wagyu sirloin and my husband, the grass fed rib eye on the bone which were both cooked medium rare as requested.

We also ordered the onion rings which has a lot of batter but very crunchy, the roasted sweet potato and pumpkins which were delicious and a Radiccio, coz and endive salad to help cut through the heaviness. As the wagyu is very rich, I shared my steak and actually preferred the rib eye to the wagyu.

We were too full to order their dessert which was a shame as I wanted to try their black forest trifle. We could only manage their teas to end the meal and walked out full and happy. It is pricey but great for a special occasion.

Mar 03, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

I've been here twice now, last time was 2 weeks ago, and have not been disappointed yet. The service was always prompt and fantastic.

You would expect a hefty price tag for the quality of food and service you get here but that's the best part, it is quite reasonable. The portions are substantial, we always had at least an entree and main each, just to able to try more things on the extensive menu.

The standout dishes were the for entrees, Charcoal Roast Squid and Pork Belly and the Spicy Mussels (last season's menu). The Duck Ragu with Pappardelle entree size was a perfect main size for me and was devine. You can also upsize the pasta dishes to a main size.

I have to mention a side we had which was to die for, simple but so scrumptious, it was the Charcoal Oven Roast Pumpkin and Sweet Potato with
Garlic Yoghurt and Burnt Butter, and for only $9 it was a steal!

The Passion fruit Pavlova was a standout, the Blueberries with Cream Cheese and Lemon Crepe Stack was also very yummy!

The array of wine was endless, I fell in love with their Mount Edward Pinot Noir which matched perfectly with the Fillet Steak I had on my first visit.

Dining at Rockpool is appropriate for all group sizes as well as sharing a great meal with that special someone.

Jan 27, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Absolutely fantastic, dining here is a treat, exceptional food matched by the best service in Sydney. Do yourself a favour and book a night out here, you will not be disappointed.

Jan 26, 2012