Fresh User Reviews in Whale Beach

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

Waiter staff needs to be more professional. Not carry on personal conversations about work conditions. They need to be passionate about their job. Really enjoyed the food. Don't know if we would go back!

May 06, 2012

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  5     

I have eaten at many restaurants, 0 stars, 1 star-2star and 3 stars. I last ate at Jonahs some 30 years ago, it was brilliant. I cannot say the same for yesterdays visit, meals forgotten, food a little disappointing, staff were great. Will not go back in a hurry, sorry guys.

Apr 16, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  1     

My husband and I recently revisited Jonahs. This is a special place for us as we got married here and it was our 10 year anniversary. We have been back many times since and had a wonderful time but on this occasion, we should have stayed local and avoided a very costly weekend to travel all the way to Whale Beach.

When we arrived, we went to the terrace and had a very nice cocktail and ordered some marinated olives. These were lovely but basically the same as the ones I buy from the local deli but still it was a beautiful view and we were on a high reminiscing.

Our bad experience started as soon as we entered the restaurant where the air conditioning was turned down to a temp where it was freezing. Everyone in the place had their jackets on. We had to ask 3 times during the night for the temperature to be raised until by the end of the night it was perfect. Still we looked over that to wait for the magnificent food that we remembered.

The wait staff were very polite and attentive but our waitress who was vegetarian couldn’t comment on the taste of any of the dishes as she hadn’t tried them even the vegetarian risotto.

Both of us had the prawn entrée which my husband loved and I thought was Ok but a bit pricey for what was basically 2 prawns with the same marinated olives we had on the terrace and some feta cheese. Still waiting for a taste sensation we look forward to our mains.

My husband had the beef which for $50 we were expectiung to melt in your mouth but it was tough and the steak we had at home 2 nights previous was actually better. My main was the snapper at $48. It was about ½ the size of my palm and I don’t have big hands. It was tough and tasteless and the 2 prawns with it were overcooked and rubbery.

I didn’t enjoy it all but ate it as we had paid $48 for it. The bowl of chips we ordered also did not come with the mains and we had to wait for them. When they did arrive the serving size was tiny. Despite pre ordering the souffle at the beginning of the meal it took 45 minutes and my coffee had been delivered and finished 20 minutes before it arrived. The souffle was also raw in the middle.

By now we wanted to get home so we ordered a cab to take us back to Newport. This is no fault of Jonah’s but no cab would pick up the fare so we waited over an hour until my husband created a fuss and they agreed to use the Jonah’s mini bus to drive us back. The best part was our driver who was the nicest and most helpful all evening and he was the one who got our tip.

I know there is a new chef and reviews seemed to be much better prior to his joining. I think this restaurant has gone downhill and we definitely will not be back.

Jan 17, 2012

4.3 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  5     

This restaurant could be ok but is let down by the guy with the tache on the front desk. The restaurant was dead and when we asked to sit a little further away from the front door (where there was loads of seats) the waitress said it wouldn't be a problem as they were quiet. She approached the guy at the desk who abruptly said they were all booked and we would have to sit by the entrance. He also made other diners who came slightly after us do the same. The strategy was clear - he wanted to make the restaurant appear busy by putting everyone in full view of passers by.

Interestingly when those seats were full, new diners were seated where we wanted to sit - even though it was clear they didn't have a reservation (we were in earshot of their arrival). I get the strategy, but if a diner requests to sit somewhere where it genuinely isn't booked, forcing them to sit somewhere to make you look busy probably isn't the best way to go, you will only achieve a disgruntled customer. Disappointed, and they lost my $20 tip because of it. It was the 2nd time we have been, and apparently it was the same guy first time around! Won't be going back.

Jan 09, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

We just had the most amazing food at whale beach Ripples. Everything from presentation to taste was spot on. The staff were so relaxed at friendly. They made us feel so welcome and happy to serve us. The setting reflected both the service and food. Thank you for an awesome night. We can't wait to come back!

Jan 08, 2012