ChaiQueen

Reviews

Leura Garage, Leura

Cafes, Italian, Street Parking

Overall 6.8 52

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 8

My boyfriend and I visited Leura Garage for the second time last night. We first dined there in late 2011 and we were relieved to find that it was still the same delicious restaurant that we affectionately recalled.

Last night we opted for the tapas option, as we had on the previous occasion. I have to emphasise that my boyfriend and I usually shun the tapas option in Sydney as we always seem to leave tapas joints feeling unsatiated and impecunious. However, Leura Garage does not disappoint in this regard.

Last night, we shared the grissini, mussels, pork ribs, harissa spatchcock and heirloom veggies. The grissini were the perfect dipping accompaniment to the rich tomato and chorizo sauce of the mussels. My boyfriend, a self-professed spatchcock hater, lapped up the spatchcock, and we both gnawed the ribs down to periosteum. Even the roast veggies were surprisingly good. All this gastronomical love for around $35!

I take the point that the service isn't outstanding, but it is far from bad. The staff are busy folk, and they try their best. Ultimately, this is a moderately priced restaurant and the service is commensurate with the price range.

This is definitely one of the better options for dinner in Leura. Enjoy!

Feb 19, 2012

+39 Pizzeria & Degustation, Melbourne

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, Good For Groups, Child Friendly

Overall 7.8 12

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 7 Value 8

My family and I stumbled upon this place during the unexpectedly long walk to our hotel. We noticed their Age Epicure accolades and hit them up for a spot of lunch.

We were seated promptly despite how busy they were, and after a bit of histrionic waving, we managed to get the attention of the waiter to order (as I say, it was busy!).

We had the Crema di Zucca pizza, Sole e Luna pizza and the prawn scialatelli. The Creama di Zucca was quite tasty, but needed a bit more pumpkin purée or a tastier pumpkin, to be discernable over the cheese. The Sole e Luna is a very cute concept (half pizza, half calzone) and I too really enjoyed the simplicity of the margherita pizza component. A word on the crusts though: very tasty and the texture was good, but hard work with the blunt knives.

Finally, the scialatielli was lovely, and certainly wasn't the stuff of packets, but the sauce was possibly a bit too watery. Criticisms aside, I left very full, satisfied and I enjoyed watching everyone leave feeling the same way.

Jan 29, 2012

Chat Thai Randwick, Randwick

Restaurants, Takeaways, Function Venues, Thai, Family Dining

Overall 6.9 29

8.4 Highly Recommended

Quality 9 Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 10

This is my reliable Thai local and despite my patronage over the last 10 years, it occurred to me that I had never written a review.

The food here is an absolute delight if you're in the mood for something quick, cheap and tasty. For me, the standouts are:
- fresh spring rolls
- ginger fish
- massaman
- kana mu grob (pork belly and chinese kale) and
- sticky rice with custard

Thankfully, the menu also acquires additions somewhat regularly, which keeps the regulars interested. I'm currently in a gastronomical love affair with the kao soi (stewed chicken in a curry broth with noodles) and the goong opb woon sen (grilled king prawns with glass noodles).

I want to stress that there isn't anything pretentious about this place. You may need to wait for a seat, it's cramped during peak hour (from 6.30pm) and very occasionally you do have to remind them about your dish (if it's taking >20-25 minutes, ask!). Be that as it may, I always leave here full, with money left over in my wallet and I know the staff are always trying their best.

Jan 22, 2012

Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, The, Glebe

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Seafood, Fine Dining, Hip and Trendy

Overall 7.8 207

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 7

I took my mother and father to the Boathouse last night to celebrate mum's birthday, and it was an absolute hit!

We were fortunate enough to snap a booking that morning and were seated for a 6.30-8.45pm sitting, which meant we got to witness the amazing city transition into evening.

We shared some oysters (yes, a little overpriced, but heck they're a beautiful way to start a meal) and had bonito, scallops and the beetroot for entrées. My bonito was smokey and suitably coupled with grapefruit, radish and cuttlefish.

For mains, I got the swordfish, dad had the polenta encrusted mahi mahi and mum hit the famous snapper pie (with the assistance of her fellow diners). We closed with the custard tart and souflée.

The food was beautiful, and I would like to dispute the suggestion that the food is bland. The flavours are certainly not overbearing, and they successfully compliment the subtlety of the seafood. As for the service, no complaints at all. The wait staff and attentive and they know their menu.

Jan 22, 2012