Temasek

5.3 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  5     

Most of the reviews are quite correct. The service is really due to the mood of the workers there which makes it very unprofessional. Aside from that, some of their specialities are great. Improving service would definitely up their ratings.

Oct 11, 2008 

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Authentic? No. Cheap? No.

My friend dragged me here for he thought I would really like the Singaporean food, but being from Malaysia myself I expected the food to be a little bit more respectable than this! (By the way, Singaporean food is very similar to Malaysian food). The Laksa I had was so westernized, the soup tasted more sweet than spicy. My friend's cha kuey tiaw was not too greatly done as well. And boy my Laksa was around AU$15...

Oct 11, 2008 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

The service is extremely terrible and therefore spoils the food !

Oct 06, 2008 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  3      Value  2     

The food at Temasek is alright but over priced. Service is ok. The roti chennai tastes like a packet of chips crispy. Feels like it is made from a ready made packet. The owner's though are very accomodating.

Sep 20, 2008 

3.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  5     

If you want to be screamed at, humiliated in front of other customers, told to shut up and called names like "stupid" by the senior staff, then go to Temasek.

The whole experience at Temasek was horrible and my friends and I will never frequent this place again. The senior staff was rude and literally told me to "shut up" and called me "stupid". Why? All because I didn't know what a particular ingredient was in a dish. I asked the senior staff and she raised her voice at me and berated me in front of other customers.

Embarrassed and appalled, I told her not to speak to me in that tone, a response that led her to tell me shut up and call me stupid. My friends were so embarrassed that she had raised her voice and drawn attention to our table that they suggested we leave.

I have frequented many Malaysian restaurants around Sydney and I have to say that the service was the worst I have ever experienced. I was warned by many who have been to Temasek before that the senior staff was very abrasive but didn't think much of it until now.

As for the food, there are many other places that have more authentic and cheaper dishes. It really wasn't great at all. I won't be returning to this place and will warn you that the service is totally unacceptable. The senior staff really needs to learn some manners and be kinder to her customers.

Sep 07, 2008 

4.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  5     

I am a Malaysian and from a Malaysian point of view the food is mediocre. It is the stuff you get at expensive hotels for tourists in Malaysia, that is to say, it is all dressed up but doesn't beat the taste of "real" Malaysian food that you can get at the good restaurants and coffee shops.

I also agree with the other reviewers that the restaurant is too noisy. People who've never really tried Malaysian food may like it though..

Aug 27, 2008 

4.5 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  5     

Parramatta is a long way for my partner and me to go for a meal, but at the behest of my sister (who raved about the food at Temasek), we accepted the invitation to try somewhere new.

The restaurant is hidden away in an alley next to the Roxy (I remember the Roxy from my misspent youth) and when we arrived for our seating at 5.30pm, the place was already packed to the rafters and the noise of the chatter was unbelievably loud. The 10 of us (6 adults and 4 children) fitted snugly around a round table at the back of the restaurant that was possibly a little too small for the massive lazy Susan in the centre of the table - we barely had enough room for our dinner plates!

My sister who recommended this place pre-ordered some of the house specialties -the chilli crab, curried fish head and oyster omelette. We also ordered the Hainanese chicken rice, the chicken skewers and the fried Hainanese chicken as well to feed the masses.

Unfortunately for us, all the dishes arrived at once. The curried fish head was served on a massive plate that took up 1/3 of the turntable, followed by the chilli crab that also arrived on a massive platter. By the time the other dishes arrived, there was literally no room left on the turntable nor the table and we all took turns in holding one of the dishes whilst trying to eat our food.

The service was poor, very poor. I'm not usually so critical of service in a restaurant, but when you politely ask for your tea pot to be topped up with hot water, no less than 4 times, I do not expect to be almost spat on when the pot is finally brought back to the table accompanied by a curt "here". And don't even get me started on the look the waitress gave us when our table of predominantly Chinese diners asked for chopsticks.

The only redeeming factor is the food which was very tasty. But at the prices they charge, my partner and I doubt either of us will be hurrying back for another visit.

Aug 26, 2008 

3.3 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  1      Service  3      Value  2     

I have been there several times, but I have found that the way they prepare their food has changed. For example now they serve the Nasi Lemak on a massive white plate with the food looking disorientated where as before it came on a nice dish where each portion was placed neatly and separately. Now its just a blob.

A group of 10 went there for a special birthday dinner, I had booked a week in advance and, unfortunately, I arrived 20 minutes late. It was at night time and it was getting packed. Because of late arrival we had ordered late and basically we were rushed out of that restaurant. While the people were waiting for the late comers the waitress kept asking for the diners to order which made them really uneasy and stressed.

Their food is generally good but personally their service in general is going down hill. So don't expect good service at all, if you do you might be disappointed.

Aug 24, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Fantastic Beef Rendang. A noisy restaurant with lots of groups. Not for a quiet or romantic meal. Fabulous food, good service and a bit pricey. Overall well worth a visit for the food.

Aug 22, 2008 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

The food here is always delicious! so fresh and authentic, and good value for money! Have been coming here for years and it just keeps getting busier but keeps expanding too. It's no silver service but the staff are friendly and helpful.

I love the hainaise chicken with soy and chilli with chicken rice, and the laksa is the best in Sydney! The dry fried beans are also nice. Everyone should come here for real Malaysian food.

Aug 11, 2008