Smith's On Bayswater

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Went with a group of friends for dinner so we had the set menu with choice of main and dessert. Entree of 4 different dishes were tasty, especially the prawns with aioli and they were all just the right amount to get started.

Next were mains and all 4 choices were ordered amongst the group. Overall concensus was that the mains lacked appeal because the only thing on the plate was the protein and some sauce. Taste wise, they were not as satisfying as the entrees. A massive let down. Sides of chips, coleslaw and salad came out separately and shared around the table. Chips and coleslaw were very nice.

Last were the desserts and like the mains, all 3 choices were ordered. Best one was the sorbet. Refreshing and just the right amount of sweetness. Not many people were a fan of the lime cheesecake though. Service was attentive and systematic. Ended up being quite an expensive dinner, which is fine but many were left wondering whether it was worth it or not.

Aug 21, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  3     

A friend and I decided to try out Smiths on Bayswater for a long Friday lunch after reading such a great review by Terry Durack in the SMH. Unfortunately what we experienced was a far cry from what the SMH had described.

Apparently (according to the waiter) they had some issues with their supply chain and quality and so had drastically altered the menu from what the write-up described and what was published on their website.

The big drawcard from Terry Durack, or the “one dish you must try” was a grass fed sirloin that was cut to order and size (and charged per 50g). This was no longer available because they had issues with the chefs not correctly cooking the steaks.

Instead we got a pretty ordinary steak that looked as if it was cooked on a hot-plate or in a pan, not on a grill and very soggy chips. The wine list and cheese platter however was excellent. Its just a shame the steaks were very very average. I’ve had better at my local pub.

I was just reading in Good Living/ShortBlack this morning that the Head Chef (Tony Gibson) has just left the place as well, citing “a change in direction”.

Hopefully they can sort this place out – as it currently stands it certainly does not deserve the 14/20 rating it received.

Jul 05, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

My husband has been talking about this place for ages and last night we finally found our way here and I must say we were pleasantly surprised. The fit out is great which instantly set the tone for the night. As we walked in to the restaurant there were more diners then expected for a Wednesday night all tucked away at the back in the indoor outdoor courtyard.

We had excellent service and the steak was amazing, really that’s why we were there! Although my only disappointment was the length of time we had to wait for our meal. We were seated at 8.30pm and didn’t get out steak until 9.30pm which I feel for a week night is a little too long to wait for one course. I would hate to see it when they were flat out as by the time our meal arrived all the other diners had left.
Over all very good and we will be back.

May 19, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  4     

We have just had exactly the same experience as the reviewer below, on the same day! We had to ask for menus, waited a very long time for food, did not receive items when requested (and when I requested mustard, I was told by one waiter that it did not 'go' with my meal!).

The service was appalling. There was not a single waiter assigned to our table, so we resorted to flagging down whoever passed by. There was plenty of staff, all of whom seemed to be rushing around without actually doing anything. The girl mentioned in the review below, the one who had been there only 3 days, was the only one who actually returned to our table to offer to refill water glasses and check we were ok.

The food? My Reubens sandwich was fine, my mother's omelette wet and gooey with too much cheese, my sister's poached eggs overcooked and a tiny portion. As with the experience below, no one bothered to farewell us or thank us for coming. Yet another lazy restaurant to strike off the list.

May 08, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  5     

We've just returned from Sunday brunch at Smith's on Bayswater and had hoped to discover a revitalised neighbourhood eatery, as we live only 5 minutes away, and are regular diners in the area. In its former incarnation as the Bayswater Brasserie, this location was a Sydney institution, but it fell on hard times. We had hoped for great things under new ownership, but from the surly greeting we received when we arrived, to the waitress who appeared thoroughly out of her depth (although she did admit to us that this was only her third day on the job) nothing went smoothly.

Although the food we ordered was quite delicious, items were delivered at the wrong time, cutlery wasn't supplied in time to eat the food while it was hot and there was a feeling of general chaos in the restaurant. And at the time we were there only half the tables were occupied! We hate to think how it would be when the place was full. Some of the staff seemed knowledgeable but all looked flustered and unable to cope. No one made us feel welcome or wanted to engage with us.

Looking around, other tables were having similar experiences, patrons sitting for a significant amount of time before receiving any service, and unable to attract any attention from the floor staff. During our brunch we were left looking at dirty plates, we weren't even offered coffee at the end of our meal and we left without anyone even noticing, much less farewelling us.

Why can't there be decent service in most Sydney restaurants? While the food and ambience are important, we go back to our regular haunts for the service and to be treated as though we matter. On that basis, it is highly unlikely that we'll return to Smith's on Bayswater.

May 08, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  8     

The steak here is fantastic. We went here for dinner on a Friday night, and got a table at around 8:30. It seems to be a converted pub, and has a lovely ambience about it. Very rustic. You can see the raw slabs of steak in the refrigerated display which adds to the experience. Simple food done well.

Apr 24, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Loved our brunch here. read more on our blog!

Read more on my blog

Apr 22, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I went there with another couple armed with Spreets vouchers. From the moment we went in, we were greeted very warmly by the host. Some places may treat customers coming in with special offers as 2nd class citizens but no way were we made to feel that.

Started off with the charcuterie plate which all of us enjoyed. Lovely pate and two different smoked meats and pickles was a lovely start.

I then had the grilled mahi mahi whilst my friends had the steak. This was accompanied by some coleslaw. I though the fish was delicious and my very picky partner thought her steak was cooked just the way she wanted it!

I had a chocolate roll with ice cream for dessert. The roll was very rich but the ice cream balanced that out nicely. The others must have enjoyed their cheeses as it was polished off very quickly. I really enjoyed the ambience and setting of this place. The service was also impeccable, warm and attentive.

Had a lovely night and will definitely make a come back.

Apr 13, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

This has been one of the best spreets vouchers that I've used. My mate and I paid $30 each for a shared entree, a main each and dessert. The entree was fantastic. It had such tasty meat and pickles and pate and croutons. My main which was a special of the day was divine.

Service was fantastic. Polite, friendly and we all could share a joke and smile, the sommelier, my mate and I. Ambience was nice, it wasn't too crowded when we went on wednesday night, which is what I prefer.

Downside I would say is that my mate's main was a tad bit too salty and whilst I understand it's a fashionable thing to do these days, I don't like it when the restaurant charges separately for salads and carbs. ie A dish looks incomplete when all you have is the meat on the plate. Even if a little bit of garnish or salad would make it a bit more appetizing. Otherwise, it was a great night and I'll definitely be back.

Apr 01, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

What a Catch! Great food and excellent service. The food value is Wow! I have been there the 2nd night since they opened. Loved the sirloin, the cheese cake was amazing. Next time had the crab risotto and the venison carpaccio and was simply blown away by its flavour and presentation. Def my fav local restaurant. Well done Smiths team. Keep up the good works.

Mar 26, 2011