Tetsuya's

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  4     

We were a large group and, unfortunately, the room we dined in was very noisy. There were a couple of staff who were not as professional as one would expect from a 3 hat restaurant. The 11 course explanations were long winded and seemed to interrupt the flow of the evening. I think the size of our group may have impacted on this though.

Food is a sensory thing and I expected something sublime. The meal started very well with the lusious Chestnut Soup but nothing else had that wow factor apart from the signature dish which was really wonderful. Opinions on food are very individual but I am sorry to say that many of our group felt as I did. What was extremely disappointing and left us gobsmacked was a 10 percent service charge on top of the food and beverages which we weren't informed about prior and is not stated on the website. Ours was a special occasion but we left with a sour taste in our mouths.

Jul 10, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

This is my second visit but about 4 years between. We went the waiter's suggestion of matching wines but by the bottle. By course six I was slurring my words but having a great time and still immensely enjoying the food.

Jul 07, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  5     

Like heroine, you cannot top the first high. This is a place you go to once, love it and then just forget it exists. A place that you have try once in your lifetime IMO and I do recommend trying Tetsuya's as still is my best dining experience ever so far.

Jun 27, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  5     

Went here with a huge expectation, and this may have dampened my experience as it was not what I had hoped. The food was nice, but not really what I was hoping for, didn't really wow me. The service was brilliant and could not fault them, they were excellent, knowlegeable and helpful.

Obviously the cost was high and we knew this going in, however, for what we got I think it was too high. Can tick the box to say I have been, but will not be heading back there again.

Jun 16, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

My friends and I went there and got a private room. The ambience was great and it feels like you went there for a special ocassion. The fish courses were outstanding especially the signature dish and oysters. Scampi three ways a bit so-so. We were disappointed with meat courses, it's more like a surf and turf type of dish and flavour didn't mix very well in my opinion. Desserts weren't that great as well.

The waiter and waitress were friendly. They had a good understanding of what were served in front of us. I know they want to give a good service, however, they came to us too often which disturb our conversation.

All and all we're satisfied with the food and experience. I would say went there once is enough, unless Tetsuya come back and cook again I won't be coming back again. If you're interested in the pictures or dishes name, please visit my blog:
/> http://appetitesydney.blogspot.com/2010/06/tetsuya.html

Jun 08, 2010 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  3     

Having recently returned from Europe and HK having indulged ourselves at fabulous eateries, Tour d'Argent, Claridges, The Ritz, Simpsons,Gaddi's (degustation) etc., we thought to compare a 3 hat rated Sydney restaurant with 1 and 2 star Michelins.

Apart from having been seated facing a bland corner adjacent to a table with a baby testing its tonsils, the service is basic compared to that which you come to expect from the truly great restaurants. We found the food interesting in some of the morsels offered but simply not in the "great" dategory except for the price which, at $800 for a couple, was bested only by Gaddi's of the others listed.

The SMH assessors are kidding us if they suggest that 3 hat Sydney is in the same park as 1 star Michelin.

Jun 07, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Went here for my husband's birthday. Degustation + matching wines+ all the extras. Have to say seafood courses were excellent. Let down was the meat dishes. I found the meat dishes to be salty. The ambience is great as they have a number of small rooms so you think you are in an intimate space, however, the restaurant is deceptively large. Service was not the best. But we had a great night nonetheless. Still worth the experience.

May 31, 2010 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  2     

My wife and I looked forward to our reservation for 8 months. Unfortunately, we were left very disappointed. The food was at best mediocre. I was expecting food that makes my mouth 'POP' but there wasn't anything for us to rave about. One of the dishes, the ox tail even contained some grit and was unchewable. Another dessert dish contained beans with ice cream. This was not the taste sensation I was looking for.

Add to this we had a waitress who continually interrupted our conversation by announcing a loud 'HELLO next dish'. Whilst we appreciate they have to let us know what we are eating, behaving like a school teacher isn't terribly sophisticated.

Maybe we caught them on an off night but to say we were disappointed with the food/service we received for our $600 bill for 2 is an understatement. I just hope my review helps others to choose a restaurant that actually considers service/food and value into the equation. Sydney is a big city and there are many restaurants that we would rate much higher than Tetsuya's!

May 25, 2010 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

I've eaten here before and left on a high. Not this time. Unfortunately, the rumour that when Testuya is on premises the standard of food and service is higher has rung true. I doubt that I will be eating here again as there are better value restaurants out there.

May 01, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  6     

I have been here a number of times and last time was disappointing. Previously, I had left raving about the place, but this time it just wasn't as good! I had the wine list with the degustation and to be honest, alot of the stuff tasted like they were from a $10 bottle or a cask. Not what you expect from a three hat restaurant, is it?

The food was good, and the dining experience enjoyable, but it just wasn't as special as last time, particularly the wine which, while it got me substantially inebriated by the end of it, was simply not up to the standard I expect from this restaurant.

The staff, while attentive, seemed a bit stuck up and you get the feeling they don't really care about what they are doing, and are quite happy working at a place with a good name, not necessarily contributing to it. Verdict? It was better once. There are better dining experiences out there for similar money.

Apr 05, 2010