Strangers With Candy

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

Delicious food and great service. Found a hidden gem in waterloo area.

Jan 19, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

I had the duck main and the chocolate fudge cake dessert. The duck at $29.50 was a small leg and looked rather lonely on the plate, sitting on it's tiny slithers of apple. Flavouring was a little bland.

I was still hungry and so ordered the chocolate fudge cake which was more substantial, well presented, moist and not too heavy! The menu is a bit dated...duck confit, pork belly, steamed barramundi, ricotta ravioli, and there's nothing wrong with that, if you can these classics justice, which (based on a sample of 3 mains and 2 desserts) at the moment they can't. Lacks passion, must try harder.

Jan 13, 2012 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Ate here on Saturday night for the first time under new ownership. We were apprehensive after reading the reviews but were more than pleased with the food & service. Love the venue for a lazy dinner and BYO allows for an inexpensive meal - 2 people 3 courses each + coffee = $75 / head. Entrees of salmon tartare & prawn dumplings were faultless. Tea smoked salmon for main had my wife in raptures. My duck confit was excellent but skin could have been crisper - picky picky. Loved the creamy mash! Desserts were also excellent and a good cup of coffee. Will go back with friends nearer Christmas.

Nov 22, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  2     

Ok, the food here used to be amazing? Not sure what has happened? My dining here was sadly very average. For starters I had what the menu described as gnocchi and mushroom ragu. It was this bland, stodgy piece of enlarged potato.

Then me and my friend were hoping that it was only going to get better from here. Unfortunately, it didn't. Had the wagu beef pappardelle which was extremely dry where I was gasping for wine and water. My dining partner had the tea smoked salmon with goats curd which was all right yet no where as good as it once was.

After a under whelming entree and main we decided to avoid dessert, but was handed the bill with burnt biscuits. arrrrgh. Won't be returning till I have heard things have changed. Oh and the ambience is gorgeous, very french.

Aug 24, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

"Strangers with Candy": the creepy name itself chills me to the bone and should have been a warning sign. We certainly arrived at this odd little restaurant as strangers but left feeling strangely angry.

Let me set the scene for you: It was 8:30 on Saturday night, yet according to our amiable but clueless waiter, the ravioli was already finished. 'Sorry guys, no vegetarian option tonight,' he smiled, toothily.

'Right,' I said through gritted teeth, 'I'll have a plate of steamed vegetables, then'. The senior staff hunkers off, soon to return. 'Sorry, man - no vegetables tonight.'

Before I had time to order him over to Coles across the road to buy some, he just skulked away. Amazingly, we also had to ask him to pour the wine. He was strangely offended at the idea of serving us: I was made to feel like I had just defecated on his head.

When the 'food' did arrive, it was very average and everyone ate quickly and in stoney silence. The most telling moment was when the plates were cleared:
Nice jacket, man,' said Cash-In-Hand Waiter #2. 'Any desserts, guys?'

'No thanks, just the bill,' was the table's synchronised reply.

Aug 06, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

We went to strangers with candy as a party of 15. I normally don't write reviews but the service was outstanding and the food was excellent! We were given the set menu which wasn't limited at all and everyone in the group was really happy with the food they got. Had a great time.

Jul 19, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

My husband and I went to this restaurant last week for our anniversary and I loved it! Great food, helpful service and attentive waitress. We'll definitely be back.

Jun 28, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  2     

Been curious about this restaurant for a while. Over prices food that lacked in every way. It could be great, the menu was uninspired and $28 for was a bit much for spaghetti. Give it a miss.

Jun 26, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  4     

We went here for breakfast the other day, like other reviewers, not realising that it had changed hands. It was like walking into a completely different establishment. First, the breakfast menu was dull beyond belief, I kept looking around for a specials board or smth but that was it. We are talking about variations on eggs, bacon, mushrooms, beans and toast and that is about it.

The service was really unsure and rather inattentive. Coffee was only average and when the food arrived, it was not especially hot and my pet hate, plain, white toast! I could have made all of this at home and had a nicer ambience too.

Jun 07, 2011 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Having been here before we were expecting a change since they changed hands.
However, when we arrived it was still fairly busy on a Wednesday night which was a good sign. We were greeted by a French waitress who was very attentive and friendly throughout the meal. We shared mussels in coconut curry as entree which was very nice to start with on a cold evening.

For mains I had duck confit and my wife had steamed barramundi that was to die for especially when paired with coconut lime custard. For dessert we shared the brulee which made a beautiful cracking noise when we dug in. I find that nothing much has changed, if anything the food has improved. So I'll definitely be back and keep on recommending this place to my friends.

Apr 21, 2011