Alihawk

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

This cafe is totally unassuming and fantastic. I had the Best long black I've ever had in my life here. It was just delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and the environment is very calm. It is a haven for anyone who needs brain space and time. I went around 8.30am one morning and the sun was blazing in their rear window, which was really fabulous. I did not eat the food here as I didn't have enough time but it looks welcoming and homely.

May 23, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  8     

I ate at this bar several times during a week long visit to Darwin. When it's busy, if you sit a little "out of the way" it can be a challenge to flag down a waitress, but that's really the only problem.

The food is great, I enjoyed the bruschetta and the prawn salad with bread. It was very nice, fresh food and came quickly, great when you're hungry after a big day. Lunch and dinner are both good, but it can get busy. The outdoor deck/balcony area is a really nice place to just sit and watch the world go by with a relaxing drink.

Apr 13, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

The first time I came here, I had dropped into this cafe because I wanted a place to have a coffee and read my newspaper. It was the best long black coffee I'd had in ages. I really enjoyed it. Almost the entire cafe is outdoor seating, which can feel a bit exposed, it's mostly under some sort of cover but of course that depends on how the weather is on the day! I haven't eaten here, so can't comment on the food, but the coffee is always great and service consistently reliable. I always come here if I'm in the area now.

Feb 12, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  7     

This place is good - the food is good and the location makes it a very enjoyable experience. You would expect it to be all meat, but I got a lovely crisp healthy salad, which I asked them to add some cajun lamb to - this was lovely. A very nice meal, good value also. The service was nice, my table was good and the view was lovely - a nice experience. My lower score for ambience is because it's hard to create a nice environment to chat because the place is busy.

Jan 03, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

Although you would expect that this cafe had primarily chocolate-based dishes (it has...), there are other things on the menu also. My favourites are the salads - the smoked salmon/avocado salad and the Vegetarian/Chunky Hummus salad. Both beautifully fresh and very good. I will be back just for that. The service is okay - these cafes tend to be very busy, so I suppose you can't blame the waiting staff for sometimes taking a little longer to get back to you. Overall, good - I will be back.

Jan 03, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

This cafe is totally unassuming and fantastic. I had the Best long black I've ever had in my life here. It was just delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and the environment is very calm. It is a haven for anyone who needs brain space and time. I went around 8.30am one morning and the sun was blazing in their rear window, which was really fabulous. I did not eat the food here as I didn't have enough time but it looks welcoming and homely.

May 23, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  8     

I ate at this bar several times during a week long visit to Darwin. When it's busy, if you sit a little "out of the way" it can be a challenge to flag down a waitress, but that's really the only problem.

The food is great, I enjoyed the bruschetta and the prawn salad with bread. It was very nice, fresh food and came quickly, great when you're hungry after a big day. Lunch and dinner are both good, but it can get busy. The outdoor deck/balcony area is a really nice place to just sit and watch the world go by with a relaxing drink.

Apr 13, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

The first time I came here, I had dropped into this cafe because I wanted a place to have a coffee and read my newspaper. It was the best long black coffee I'd had in ages. I really enjoyed it. Almost the entire cafe is outdoor seating, which can feel a bit exposed, it's mostly under some sort of cover but of course that depends on how the weather is on the day! I haven't eaten here, so can't comment on the food, but the coffee is always great and service consistently reliable. I always come here if I'm in the area now.

Feb 12, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  7     

This place is good - the food is good and the location makes it a very enjoyable experience. You would expect it to be all meat, but I got a lovely crisp healthy salad, which I asked them to add some cajun lamb to - this was lovely. A very nice meal, good value also. The service was nice, my table was good and the view was lovely - a nice experience. My lower score for ambience is because it's hard to create a nice environment to chat because the place is busy.

Jan 03, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

Although you would expect that this cafe had primarily chocolate-based dishes (it has...), there are other things on the menu also. My favourites are the salads - the smoked salmon/avocado salad and the Vegetarian/Chunky Hummus salad. Both beautifully fresh and very good. I will be back just for that. The service is okay - these cafes tend to be very busy, so I suppose you can't blame the waiting staff for sometimes taking a little longer to get back to you. Overall, good - I will be back.

Jan 03, 2012

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

I went to the Festival Cafe several times during a recent visit to Sydney. They were great. My favourite dish was the Tiger Prawn salad with Mint/Lime dressing, it was fresh and lovely. The staff were fabulously flexible and I enjoyed every visit, they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I will definitely be back.

Jan 03, 2012

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

This is a great place to sit and enjoy good food, great service and the delight of watching the world pass by. Sitting watching the Melbourne Skyline in this french bistro is a great experience. The Gazpacho was delicious and the King Salmon fillet was cooked perfectly, my companions had the shucked oysters, followed by Beef Daube which was to die for. Queary Pinot Gris 2010 really balanced this meal, followed by great coffee.

Service is very attentive and respectful, whilst being wonderfully warm and friendly. Price is very reasonable. Recommended.

Nov 14, 2011

9.3 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Service  10      Value  9     

This guy really knows his stuff and what he says is what he means. He does good quality work, he is careful to explain his work to his customers, his pricing is always right on target and he meets the timelines he promises. I highly recommend him.

Oct 06, 2011

8 Recommended

Service  8      Value  8     

Coffee from this cafe is really good. I have not eaten here, but have regularly had the coffee, which I recommend.

Oct 06, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

This place is fabulous but, unfortunately, everyone else in Balwyn thinks so too! It is usually busy, but the coffee and service is great, the atmosphere is also very nice. Worth a visit.

Jun 06, 2011