BlackBird

Reviews

Restaurants, Asian, Chinese, Yum Cha, Fine Dining

Overall 6.7 180

1.3 Not Recommended

Food 2 Ambience 1 Service 1 Value 1

Horrid, horrid experience tonight.

Went with a friend using a voucher for their nine course peking duck offer. The ambience is a typical westernised Chinese restaurant. The service is non-existent, they leave you a list of what is coming out and leave the rest up to for figuring out. Lots of meals appeared to have had been made in advance and left in the fridge then simply brought out. I was mostly appalled and haven't seen this low quality of food in a long time.

The real kicker, however, was half way through, a man who worked there approached us and told us our voucher had already been used (it hadn't). We asked for him to show us proof of it being used prior and he didn't do anything, he simply walked away. Another person came and was no help as we asked also, our below average experience now dismal and ruined as we were worried.

We didn't bother with dessert as we asked the front desk to record in front of us the coupon. They didn't do it, they simply showed us some list with our number highlighted which really means nothing. The man said that instead of paying the full price of $188 we'd only be charged $78. Very suspicious as we asked again for them to show us on the computer that it wasn't accepted and they still didn't.

I ended up forking out the $78 extra. We left annoyed. My friend will be contacting the coupon website also tomorrow. Do not come here, You have been warned. This place overall disappointing!

May 25, 2012

Aria, Circular Quay

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Fine Dining, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.8 445

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.3 Below Average

Food 5 Ambience 3 Service 3 Value 2

My friend and I eat out in the City around two to three times a week, everything from fine dining to Chinatowns cheapies and we eventually caved in to curiousity and had to try this place.

The exterior suggests you would be entering something very reserved and with an air of elegance, unfortunately, once you swing around the corner past the register and look to the dining area it is a very underwhelming experience and you cannot help but think, "is this it?".

Service was mechanical. We ordered the degustation with matching wines and for what you pay, it is simply not worth it. The food at best was average. Neither great nor bad. Simply a matter of eating it plate after plate with no real sensory experience. I love degustations and have done many of them with my friend and I really hope someone from Aria is reading this.

Whoever created the wine list to match with the degustation...fire them. It could not have been the Sommelier surely to create such a thoughtless compilation, even though that is their job right? The look on the Waiters face when he kept seeing course after course our wine glasses nearly full was funny to us but they were the ones laughing at the end I guess as they ask $280+ for the occasion per person.

So after 2-3 hours of painful boredom we finally left. The man at the counter did not ask how our evening was, I would be too embarrassed if I were him, so I don't blame him. A sign of a lack of confidence.

To sum it up, Aria is the sort of place Businessmen in their 50's+ would take their overseas clients for something neutral and bland to experience, or for couples who have hyped Aria in their minds for so long they keep it as a place to go for an Anniversary. It is the Mercedes badge of dining, for the rich and gullible who don't know better.

What else can I say? Go elsewhere.

May 01, 2012

Holy Basil, Canley Heights

Restaurants, Thai, BYO, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.9 64

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 8

Click my blog link below for my review and photos for this Restaurant!

This is for the one at Shark Hotel on Liverpool st. in the city.

Read the full review on my blog

Mar 25, 2012

Rise Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Asian, Fusion, Japanese, Family Dining

Overall 8.4 153

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 9

If you like Japanese food and are looking for Fine Dining without the pretentious behaviour, then this is the place for you.

Read the full review on my blog

Mar 04, 2012

Braza Churrascaria, Darling Harbour

Restaurants, Brazilian, Family Dining, Good for Business Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 8 4

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 7

$47 per person for all you can eat. With so much variety how can you say no?

Great Brazillian BBQ, please read my blog for the full review!

Read the full review on my blog

Feb 23, 2012

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Member since 2010

Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 22 reviews

Zilver, Sydney

Restaurants, Asian, Chinese, Yum Cha, Fine Dining

Overall 6.7 180

1.3 Not Recommended

Food 2 Ambience 1 Service 1 Value 1

May 25, 2012

Aria, Circular Quay

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Fine Dining, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.8 445

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.3 Below Average

Food 5 Ambience 3 Service 3 Value 2

May 01, 2012

Holy Basil, Canley Heights

Restaurants, Thai, BYO, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.9 64

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 8

Click my blog link below for my review and photos for this Restaurant!

This is for the one at Shark Hotel on Liverpool st. in the city.

Read the full review on my blog

Mar 25, 2012

Rise Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Asian, Fusion, Japanese, Family Dining

Overall 8.4 153

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 9

If you like Japanese food and are looking for Fine Dining without the pretentious behaviour, then this is the place for you.

Read the full review on my blog

Mar 04, 2012

Braza Churrascaria, Darling Harbour

Restaurants, Brazilian, Family Dining, Good for Business Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 8 4

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 7

$47 per person for all you can eat. With so much variety how can you say no?

Great Brazillian BBQ, please read my blog for the full review!

Read the full review on my blog

Feb 23, 2012

Kamikaze Teppanyaki, Darling Harbour

Restaurants, Japanese, Teppanyaki, Family Dining, Fine Dining

Overall 6.1 16

4.8 Average

Food 5 Ambience 9 Service 3 Value 2

Went to this Restaurant tonight with a group of friends, and, unfortunately, it will be last time coming here.

First impression of the Restaurant is contemporary, nice and clean. The Teppenyaki chefs seem to be enjoying themselves and interacting with the people around the barbeque area. The view of the Harbour is pleasant especially at night with the lights from the buildings opposite painting the water.

Service is a major let down. We asked for water three times and it never came out, however, they were very fast to provide alcoholic drinks. I ordered a Lychee Martini which tasted more like a mocktail than actually containing Vodka. Plates and other items were just left at our table instead of taken away completely. The place was not full for a Friday night. I saw no excuse for this to not be done!

The food was underwhelming. Compared to other Teppenyaki I have tried, this did not represent value for money. As a starter got the Tempura Seafood platter which was enjoyable though the condiments that came with it were useless and not explained as to what they were. I had to guess. I got the shared Kamikaze Seafood Supreme and for $120 it's nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the scallop, the rest I found a chore to eat and only did so because I was hungry. I was still hungry after it. You get one plate of vegies and seafood.

Darling Harbour in general needs to pick up its game. I used to eat out around here all the time years ago, now... I am reluctant. Go elsewhere for half the price and double the quantity and quality.

Jan 21, 2012

Rockpool Bar and Grill, Sydney

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Steak House, Fine Dining, Hip and Trendy

Overall 7.9 199

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 9

What a pleasant surprise! I went for lunch here today with two other friends. We were greeted at the front desk like as if we were regular customers (first time coming here though).

We ordered the spanish hams platter, split king prawns, chips, salad and my friends chose the wagyu beef while I went with the snapper for our mains.

I tried some of my friends wagyu and it was a melt in your mouth experience. It made me resent getting the snapper after trying his, however, once I tried my own main I did not regret it. It was so fresh and cooked to perfection, coming with a side garnish that went beautifully with it.

For dessert we got the mango sobert, strawberries and cream and the ice cream sandwich. All excellent.

Nov 22, 2011

Quarter Twenty One, Sydney

Restaurants, European, Serves Dinner, Serves Lunch, Serves Takeaway

Overall 7.8 20

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 9

I came here last night with four other friends to celebrate my belated birthday. Two of them have already dined here previously and recommended it. Now I am another who will recommend this place to anyone who appreciates fine food and wine.

We started off by looking through their extensive, thoughtful wine list and I chose a NZ Sparkling (Can't remember the name, Pelonis?) which was a nice dry, light style.

We ordered starters and got the beef tartare with quail eggs and the mixed meats platter. Everyone loved it and it was so tempting to just want to put the meat between the lovely mixed grain sourdough that came out for us and devour it.

We all went with the seven course degustation with matching wines. The highlights of this degustation for me was the cured snapper with koshu wine, duck egg with pinot and the chocolate pudding and tonka bean ice cream with fortified grenache.

A lovely touch was getting a lemon sorbet martini with compliments for my birthday and a little 'happy birthday' message next to my sweet course! The service was attentive, friendly and informative and I cannot remember the man's name (bald head, rather tall) but he was excellent!

For five of us, came to about $850 approx. which I saw as good value given the quality of the food and wine. If this is any indication for what is to come for when I go to Becasse next, bring it on! Will be coming back here too!

Oct 23, 2011

Mamak, Haymarket

Restaurants, Malaysian, BYO, Serves Dinner, Serves Late Dining

Overall 7.1 264

6.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 4 Value 5

I came here with two other friends. I was running late but they waited in the line which they told me took half an hour to get in. Thankfully I just slipped in and sat with them while we decided what to get. The first thing you notice if sitting at the front is how noisy it is, which is okay because you kind of expect it from a place like this.

We chose a number of things from the menu. Think of ordering the same way you would Tapas where everybody shares. The Sambal Udang (prawns) was nice and spicy with a thick sauce. The fried chicken was nice and crispy with the cinnamon being a nice touch. The buttery roti was a standout for me and was very moreish. The roti that was a 20 minute wait didn't do much for any of us.

We liked the omelette style roti too. The lamb curry was nice and reminded me of a Macedonian dish called munja, only it didn't have noodles or vegies with it. You will need to order rice with the mains otherwise it feels incomplete. We got a dozen skewers (chicken) which had a lovely grilled taste to them, accompanied with the dipping paste which really added to the dish. The drinks were nothing special. I didn't think much of the ice milo or lime syrup drink. The roti bom (sweet) was quite good, but again a 20 minute wait.

The service threw me off somewhat. 3/4 through eating one of the waiters came to our table and asked us if we could move to the back of the restaurant as they needed the tables to join for a group. I felt pretty embarrassed by this. The back of the place is quieter though so if you want to be able to talk get a table at the back if you can.

The food came out lightning fast and I have not experienced such speed before. $120 later though between three of us and we left still feeling pretty empty.
Would I go again? Only if there isn't a long wait outside.

Sep 26, 2011

Umi Kaiten Zushi, Sydney

Restaurants, Japanese, Hip and Trendy, BYO, Child Friendly

Overall 7.1 94

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

I have been going to Umi for a few years now, and have always had a consistently good experience here.

Good sushi is all about the quality and variety of the fish and this place ticks both boxes. I love their Bonito Nigiri when they have it available. They also have a monthly special, like a chefs special which is well worth trying out.

My favorite thing to get from here is Salmon Gunkan with black fish eggs on top. The combination of warm salmon wrapped in rice with mayo holding the cold black eggs on top is a wonderful taste sensation. You'll have to ask for it though as they generally have the green or orange fish egg variants out instead.

Go on Monday and Tuesday if you want cheap plates as they are all $3.50 during dinner time. The Sashimi and some other fusion plates are $4, still good instead of paying full price.

Aug 23, 2011