Fresh User Reviews for Cater to Special Diets in Sydney

4.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  3     

Sigh! My general belief that restaurants that appeal to tourists are not much good, has sadly been proved correct on many occasions. For a long time, Catalina was a noble exception. Alas, on last visit the food, although good, was no longer great and the service was, how can I put it politely? Disappointing. bye bye Catalina.

May 31, 2012

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

I have been there, as Tom B. says the service was very very poor, also, small amount of food in the huge plate, you can finish it with one forg action, it was $40 and for small amount of food.

I can tell that, it was the worst and poor service I have ever had. If you want to have this experience, don't hesitate to be at Efendy.

May 31, 2012

4.5 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  5     

The arrival of this restaurant in North Turramurra was a welcomed addition to the offerings in the area, replacing the defunct Quattro and hopefully offering more accessible pricing than the upmarket Cooks Garden.

We've eaten there twice and attempted to book for a third time only to find it booked out on a Friday evening.

The menu and the quality of the food are to be commended, this place could be a real gem. The experience, however, is really let down by ambience and most of all service.

The ambience would be greatly enhanced by the installation of a door closer as the door blows open frequently rendering the closest tables useless. The table layout is confusing and cramped but that could easily be turned into an advantage if staff were able to work effectively with it.

The real problem is front of house. Leaving people waiting at the door or outside it causing confusion, the lack of effective table planning (get policy right on reservations), the lack leadership on the floor and the under trained staff who clearly have no game plan to work to. All this can be resolved readily, employ an empowered front of house manager, define a service plan, train the staff, monitor them and provide feedback.

I want to see this place succeed and I hope that they are able to work on this because the food is really good but they are turning off many locals at the moment.

May 31, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  2     

Thought we'd try somewhere different before a night at the state theatre.

We shared a bottle of wine and were offered water. We were presented with a 600mL bottle of Mt Franklin for $7.00. This would be fine if it was a high end restaurant, but for a restaurant which appears like a diner it was a bit much.

I had the salmon teriyaki which was over cooked and, therefore, too dry. It was served with rice and a single leaf of bok choy. Although the sauce was good, there was not enough.

The service was superficial. The waitress became bitter after we suggested that we'd not requested bottled water. Will not be returning.

May 31, 2012

9.2 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

We went here for my boyfriend's birthday and it was perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for. We went for the 8.15pm sitting as we didn't want to be rushed. The staff were fantastic, not pushy and offered some great tapas (mushrooms, squid and meatballs). We followed this with the chciken skewers. The vibe was dark, sexy and romantic in the resturant. The sangria was great! It would be good though if it came in a jug as opposed to buying it by the glass ($15 per glass).
I would definitely go back again.

May 31, 2012

8.4 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Went Saturday with friends for my birthday. The design is stylish and inviting which seemed to suit the diverse crowd. Lots of tasty tapas arrived hot and fast (prawns wrapped in jamon and paella sensational). We all had a great night so a big thanks to all!

May 30, 2012

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  2      Service  5      Value  5     

This placed is always packed and popular in the evenings, particularly on weekends and last Friday did we got lucky by dropping in without a reservation. We were told from the outset that yes, they could fit us in though we needed to be done and dusted in an hour, which was fine, we intended grabbing an entree and pizza to share. If you like the hustle and bustle of a busy cafe (this is not a restaurant in my book) then great, lots of staff running around like headless chickens.

But if you prefer a relaxed, more sedate dining experience, avoid at all costs! The service was fine, though wihin 20 minutes, we felt pressured to eat up and be gone, the waitress 'hovered' constantly like a bird of prey to the point of annoyance. We were outside which was fairly manic, though going inside to settle the bill all hell was breaking loose with cutlery being dropped left right and centre!

The food? Ok, nothing amazingly flash to be frank. I'd give it another go, perhaps, for lunch on a nice day though wouldn't rush back in a hurry.

May 30, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  8     

I like Seachange for brekkie. The food is always consistent. Love the Cali.
The thing I don't like about Seachange is that the tables are so crammed in that you feel like you are sitting on top of the people around you. You actually have to stand up at times to allow people to get around you. The staff are young generally so sometimes service can be hit and miss but we go back.

May 30, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Had a Maranello pizza, a spaghetti bolognaise and garlic bread between 2 adults and 1 little kid for weekend lunch. It was plenty. Pizza was tasty, pasta was good but sauce a little bit on the tart side. My kid must have enjoyed it, he ate 2 cereal bowlfuls of the pasta.

Food was good, was glad when the staff changed the music to some latin stuff. I'm not keen on pop music during my meals.

May 30, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Great breakfast. High quality ingredients. Bacon ang eggs cooked perfectly.
Coffee great. Friendly, attentive nice staff. They like our poodle also which is a plus. Highly recommended.

May 29, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Booked in for a mid-week meal for a special occasion. We were the only couple in the entire restaurant, so felt a little awkward. The waiter we had was absolutely professional. Pity about his colleague who kept pacing the restaurant with obviously nothing to do. Food, however, was delicious (duck entree was nice) and worth the slight awkwardness. Furnishings were impressive. Worth trying, it has promise.

May 29, 2012

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

We went here on the weekend with my work colleagues as it was recommended by a very close friend of mine. Service was terrible, we had to ask everything at least 3 times before it got delivered to our table.

Food quality was really average, massive plates with very small amount of food. I also didn’t expect the prices to be 5 star restaurant for this place.

Overall it was a very bad experience for everyone at the table, the place looked nice but bad management!

May 29, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  9     

We were hesitant coming to a local restaurant in lane cove, which is our local but not know for good food. And the reviews didn't make us want to come either. Despite this, we tried it for dinner on a Sunday.

My partner and I both really enjoyed our meal. The pizzas were fantastic, more napoli style rather than the crispy roman style which I think some people can call 'soggy'.

The ambience is very much like the italian pizzerias, loud and busy. Which is reflective in the service (these guys were not nearly as rude as the ones in italy). Upon reflection, our waitress was quite lovely.

We didn't have an issue with water, we asked for tap water and tap water was delivered. We had no issue with value or the cost of the pizzas. It didn't cost more than what you normally pay in other North Shore italian restaurants.

May 29, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Went to MUMU for a Sunday lunch, were possibly the only customers at the time, which could explain the attentive staff!

Food was amazing, couldn't fault anything. We had the meatballs for an entree, and the steak and roast chicken for mains. Superb! Expensive, but worth every cent.

May 29, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

One of the best places to eat in Crows Nest. Fantastic food and delightful service every time. Cosy atmosphere, a real gem indeed.

May 29, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Visited Verde for the first time last night with my partner and we both really enjoyed ourselves. Service was efficient and not intrusive. Food was well presented and delicious, zucchini flowers were amazing, nice wine list as well. Would definitely recommend.

May 29, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  5      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Good meals are cooked to specifications. While the service is friendly, it can take a while though, perhaps, that is why it's called 'Laze' n Graze? Bad pun I know. You get free wifi in the meantime. So I recommend this if you have time to kill.

May 29, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  5     

Have been to this restaurant on many occasions with mixed results. The couple we were dining with arrived a few minutes before us, and their pre-dinner drink had just arrived as we got to the table.

The inability to get the attention of someone to allow us to order a drink set the precedence for the evening. Our companions mentioned several times the inability to get service when required, (quote "the staff here are very good at not making eye contact). We had a white and a red wine (not the cheapest restaurant for wines).

The red was "stored" by the staff and I think this is fine, as long as they take responsibility for ensuring the glasses are replenished, since the bottle isn't at the table to allow you to do this yourself. Waiters emerge when they want to sell you something, or you become invisible.

Food was Ok. I think the service and food is better at lunchtimes. I note other reviews mention the oysters as not fresh, however, I found them fine on this occasion.

I ordered the special steak (the carcass got 2nd place at the Easter Show and they "were sure to sell the final cuts of it tonight"). It wasn't as good as I've had there, and I was a little envious of the steaks everyone else ordered. (I don't learn - I've been trick into this before, and am invariably disappointed).

Steaks were well cooked. One comment about the accompanying sauce. At $3.50 each, being a small individual serving of the Bearnaise or Green Peppercorn of about 30 mls - adds $14 to a bill for 4. If you want to really enjoy the view, go for lunch.

I'll certainly be back, probably for a business lunch. I'm less sure about the venue for a social night out.

May 28, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  8     

The food was great, tasty and good value. The Sheesha Garden (courtyard) was not appealing as the fluro lighting was very bright and harsh. With the right lighting it would be a much nicer environment.

May 28, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

My girl and I wandered into this restaurant for breakfast and were very happy with our meal. I ordered the open omelette, which was rich and full of flavor without being too greasy. She ordered the folded omelette, which she loved as well. The coffee had flavor without being heavy. A great meal at a reasonable price.

May 28, 2012