Chedos

6.3 Average

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

As a local I have eaten at Chedos many times. Brunch, lunch or coffees are always very good, though they like many cafes struggle a bit in terms of customer satisfaction on busy Sundays. Aware that the cafe/restaurant had recently changed hands we ventured up for dinner recently.

The chalkboard menu immediately revealed that the already fairly pricey evening meals had already been increased. Teething problems with new management should always be expected. However, of the 3 entrees we ordered: one was wood fired bread, one was cold pate and one was seared scallops, and yet we waited 40 minutes. The main meals were delicious but the portion size of the flat-head fillets at $35 each were meagrely to say the least.

The Angus beef fillet was very good and probably worth the $40 being charged. However, there were only 3 tables being served while we were there and it seemed obvious that our meal charges were paying the kitchen staff and little else. Chedos is a lovely cafe but the new management should not run the risk of charging restaurant prices for food and service that is adequate but of cafe standard only.

The current pricing would preclude most local evening diners. Perhaps, chedos should be open 5 days a week for breakfast and lunch only, but even then their prices are becoming too high for a cafe with no views and adequate, though not outstanding service.

May 10, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  4     

The food was fine but service was poor, could have paid less and had a better overall experience in a dozen other places.

Jan 26, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

I've come here 3 times for dinner. There are always good choices on the menu but quality of the meals can be a little variable and are on the pricey side. I think it might be better as a breakfast or lunch option.

Mar 15, 2011 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  1     

I recently visited this cafe/restaurant and was very disappointed, I drive past this cafe regularly and its always busy, don't know why now, maybe the coffee/ breakfast/lunch is good, but don't bother for dinner. We visited this cafe on a Saturday night and were lucky to be able to secure a table, good so far, but after we sat down it went down hill from there.

Its a blackboard menu with moderate to high price tags, $28 - $38. Plenty of meat dishes on the menu, but when you are a vegetarian there was 1 meal to choose from. No chicken on the menu for poultry lovers. We were asked if we would like some drinks so ordered soft drinks for my teenage children.

The waitress was softly spoken and difficult to hear and a little bit vague, the drinks were delivered but wrong drink arrived, diet coke instead of regular coke, we advised the waitress and she did return with another coke this time regular, but mentioned that she again picked up the diet coke instead of the regular coke and giggled about it. Soft drinks are given in either a bottle or can and no glass was presented. You have to actually ask for these.

I think if you are paying the prices for these evening meals at this restaurant and you have to ask for a drinking glass, it tells you a lot about this restaurant. The food is ok but nothing to rave about. The serving size of the veal medallions is rather small for a man's size. Childrens meals are just ok but pretty bland and basic. We did not have desserts.

Disappointed and would not go back again. Go somewhere else just up the road definitely better kitchen staff and prices reasonable and views to die for.

Jul 31, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I too must have to disagree with bekky-boo's review. Me and my wife enjoy Chedo's meals quite regularly and have began to expect the best, which we always receive. Mains prices range from $27 upwards depending on the meals themselves. Chedo's has a blackboard menu and new editions are regularly introduced. I often order the duck which is simply divine. Desserts are $12 and come with a side of ice cream, cream and a selection of fruits. Would highly recommend Chedo's to anyone.

Aug 02, 2009 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Have to disagree with the last comment. I too am a local and love the food. In fact, we're regulars and I find that Chedo's caters to everyone, both locals and tourists alike. Some nights I'm there, I pretty much know everyone at the restaurant. Price is very good and matches the quality of the food. Excellent meat cuts and seafood and I have to say, Chedo is an expert saucier!

I've never paid $15 for a dessert. Desserts are I think $12 and dressed with cream, ice cream and home made coulees and anglais. They often have home made creme brulee's and pannacotta's. Let's keep great restaurants like this is our area, it's a great restaurant and we're very lucky to have it, let alone in Coledale.

Mar 05, 2009 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  5     

I recently came here with my fiance's family for a meal after it was highly recommended by some of their friends. I had high expectations when I saw the prices of the meals, ranging from around $30 and up. Unfortunately, although the meals were nice and well cooked, I must agree with previous posts the evening meals are not worthy of the price.

We went on to order dessert which was a selection of cakes from the glass display however, when one of our cheesecakes tasted very very strange and we commented on this, the waitress explained that none of the cakes were made onsite so they have no control on the taste and that they had had several complaints about that particular one being overcooked in the past. They were very polite about it and did not charge for this however, I felt that the $15 a slice price tag is ridiculous since the cake was simply cut and placed on the plate, surely they would be luck to pay double that price for the whole cake.

Overall the meals were tasty and the service was very good but for a local like myself these prices are designed for tourists not for locals looking for a good, value for money meal.

Dec 19, 2008 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

I love Chedos as a cafe - the food, coffee, atmosphere and service are top notch - well above the Wollongong standard. Can't go past an apple burek with yoghurt for breakfast - huge, satisfying and less than $10 with a coffee. Lunches are great too.

My only gripe is that, when the fine dining hat is put on at night, the meals don't really rise to the occasion. The same salad or combination of veggie is used to accompany pretty much every meal, and most dishes are accompanied by the same potato mash. The main differences between them are the meats and the sauces.

Desserts are more or less straight from the cake wholesalers. So why the $15-20 price for entrees and $20-$40 for mains? This is bistro fare - delicious bistro fare, mind you - but it shouldn't be selling for fine dining prices. That being said, they do a fantastic Croatian spit roast dinner on a Wednesday which is well worth every cent.

Aug 03, 2008 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Fantastic! The menu is seasonal, fresh and inviting. The service is wonderful, the atmosphere friendly and relaxing. We had an allergy sufferer whose fussy order and 'checking' of ingredients was handled in a lovely manner by both the wait staff and chef, who even called manufacturers of products to establish the suitability of products for our guest. Just perfect.

Aug 15, 2007 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Must totally disagree with Luciluu's views. I found this place after reading about it in the Qantas Inflight Magazine - it was highly recommended and the review was fantastic! The Sydney Morning Herald also named it one of the best restaurants on the Grand Pacific Drive. I meet my Northern Beaches (Sydney) friends there for lunch and dinner on a regular basis, it's a half way point for us.The food is divine and anyone who knows anything about food will agree the prices are extremely reasonable.The product is always fresh and the menu options are so different to the standard cafe/restaurant menus available today.The bread is traditional woodfire, without a doubt the best I've tried, and served with a magnificent olive oil, balsamic vinegar dip - well worth it! Chedo is such a great , charismatic chef and we often ask for less of this and more of that which he's happy to do.Give it a go, the reviews by even some of the hardest critics, have all been fantastic!

Sep 22, 2006