Eaterer

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  7     

We bought a mini cake to try $14. Mocha flavoured, delish! Light as Asian cakes are meant to be, and not too sweet. And pleasantly surprised: a good cake to cream ratio. Going to order 2 large cakes soon, not sure what flavours so hope they taste as good as the Mocha. They do have limited flavours but maybe they're focussing on quality instead of quantity. The cake deco is a bit dated so might want to improve on that. Hope prices don't go North as I think I'll be switching from Cake World which is so much more ex.

Apr 15, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  6     

Been here a few times, recently yesterday. So far the dishes I've had have been very tasty. Not always authentic in taste but value is pretty good.

My friends did order the salt and pepper calamari box yesterday but apparently the calamari was bland and chewy, not melt in the mouth as usual.

Not had bad service so far, food comes out reasonably fast. Should book in advance as it's always crowded due to the small size. We booked yesterday and didn't have to wait.

Oct 25, 2011

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  5     

Went there this weekday with my other half and a friend with an internet voucher to use. Voucher entitled 2 people to a bottle of wine, 2 free entrees and a steak, inclusive of salad and chips/ spud.

Service was really friendly, luckily nothing like what other diners experienced. Happily gave us extra bread when asked. The only fault was once the place got busy, they kinda forget things, like cutlery to eat the meals with.

Food itself was delicious. Entrees of baked mushrooms and feta and African beef sausage were really tasty. Steaks cooked to as requested and very tender. I ordered the blue cheese sauce which although was delicious, was much too overpowering. The South Yarra's is much nicer where it doesn't overtake the steak flavours. Didn't stay for sweets so can't comment.

I did find prices a bit steep. Normal steaks come with some chips or baked spud. Un-uniformed cuts of steaks on a cast iron platter. Sauce is an extra $4.50, eventhough it comes in a largish saucier. The beef sausage was $14.50 for one sausage. My partner and I mirrored each other's orders and our entrees came out for 1 serving instead of 2 had we ordered differently. That was a bit of a rip off!

We enjoyed the food and would go back again, but not in too much of a hurry. A basic meal (sausage, 300g eye fillet and sauce) would set you back $65 per person.

p/s Parking wasn't too bad there's a parking place around the corner. $5 flat rate for after 6pm.

Oct 23, 2011

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Our first visit to Lobster Cave and used an internet voucher for half lobster tails and a bottle of $40 Pinot wine. We're cross coz when we got there we asked to take away the bottle of unopened wine and was told not a problem. It wasn't brought out to us with the bill and we left forgetting about it. It's a 2 hr round trip for us.

We didn't think the tails were going to be sufficient so we ordered the garlic bread and 2 set menus each. Wow, the seeded garlic bread was sooo delish and came with a selection of olives etc. Just be aware it costs $20 but we didn't see it on the menu.

I was a little disappointed with my smoked chook salad as there was too much of the lovely mayonnaise which overpowered all the flavours. My main was linguini with Atlantic Salmon but it turned out to be smoked salmon. I don't think it was stated on the menu as such.

The main wasn't to my liking as 2 consequtive smoked items are a bit too salty for the palate. Its sauce was a bit too overpowering and too creamy. My partner had the squid main and it was really tender and tasty. The sweet was a lovely refreshing finish, a white wine and apple sorbet on a chocolate/ coconut slice with raspberry coulis.

The lobster tails were actually of a good size, succulent and very meaty. Didn't expect that for a voucher, what a pleasant surprise! The only letdown was once again, the sauce. It overpowered the delicate lobster flavour. Mind you, the sauce itself was very tasty!

John, our waiter, was initially covering 2 sections so he was very busy. It didn't stop his friendly persona. Well done, John! We walked away so full. Next time we'll order less food lol. Would try out the dinner ala carte menu next time. The ambience is very elegant but the food presentation didn't match the surrounds. There was no consistency in the presentation and huge blanched broccoli stems with lobster tails don't do the dish justice. Small presentation issues so we're looking forward to seeing some improvement in the future.

Jul 28, 2011

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Been here a couple of times for work functions. Staff are nice and attentive. My steak was a bit tough, the kipler chips were soggy and over salty. The others enjoyed their meals though. The first time I was there the food was nicer.

Dec 08, 2010

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  7     

We bought a mini cake to try $14. Mocha flavoured, delish! Light as Asian cakes are meant to be, and not too sweet. And pleasantly surprised: a good cake to cream ratio. Going to order 2 large cakes soon, not sure what flavours so hope they taste as good as the Mocha. They do have limited flavours but maybe they're focussing on quality instead of quantity. The cake deco is a bit dated so might want to improve on that. Hope prices don't go North as I think I'll be switching from Cake World which is so much more ex.

Apr 15, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  6     

Been here a few times, recently yesterday. So far the dishes I've had have been very tasty. Not always authentic in taste but value is pretty good.

My friends did order the salt and pepper calamari box yesterday but apparently the calamari was bland and chewy, not melt in the mouth as usual.

Not had bad service so far, food comes out reasonably fast. Should book in advance as it's always crowded due to the small size. We booked yesterday and didn't have to wait.

Oct 25, 2011

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  5     

Went there this weekday with my other half and a friend with an internet voucher to use. Voucher entitled 2 people to a bottle of wine, 2 free entrees and a steak, inclusive of salad and chips/ spud.

Service was really friendly, luckily nothing like what other diners experienced. Happily gave us extra bread when asked. The only fault was once the place got busy, they kinda forget things, like cutlery to eat the meals with.

Food itself was delicious. Entrees of baked mushrooms and feta and African beef sausage were really tasty. Steaks cooked to as requested and very tender. I ordered the blue cheese sauce which although was delicious, was much too overpowering. The South Yarra's is much nicer where it doesn't overtake the steak flavours. Didn't stay for sweets so can't comment.

I did find prices a bit steep. Normal steaks come with some chips or baked spud. Un-uniformed cuts of steaks on a cast iron platter. Sauce is an extra $4.50, eventhough it comes in a largish saucier. The beef sausage was $14.50 for one sausage. My partner and I mirrored each other's orders and our entrees came out for 1 serving instead of 2 had we ordered differently. That was a bit of a rip off!

We enjoyed the food and would go back again, but not in too much of a hurry. A basic meal (sausage, 300g eye fillet and sauce) would set you back $65 per person.

p/s Parking wasn't too bad there's a parking place around the corner. $5 flat rate for after 6pm.

Oct 23, 2011

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Our first visit to Lobster Cave and used an internet voucher for half lobster tails and a bottle of $40 Pinot wine. We're cross coz when we got there we asked to take away the bottle of unopened wine and was told not a problem. It wasn't brought out to us with the bill and we left forgetting about it. It's a 2 hr round trip for us.

We didn't think the tails were going to be sufficient so we ordered the garlic bread and 2 set menus each. Wow, the seeded garlic bread was sooo delish and came with a selection of olives etc. Just be aware it costs $20 but we didn't see it on the menu.

I was a little disappointed with my smoked chook salad as there was too much of the lovely mayonnaise which overpowered all the flavours. My main was linguini with Atlantic Salmon but it turned out to be smoked salmon. I don't think it was stated on the menu as such.

The main wasn't to my liking as 2 consequtive smoked items are a bit too salty for the palate. Its sauce was a bit too overpowering and too creamy. My partner had the squid main and it was really tender and tasty. The sweet was a lovely refreshing finish, a white wine and apple sorbet on a chocolate/ coconut slice with raspberry coulis.

The lobster tails were actually of a good size, succulent and very meaty. Didn't expect that for a voucher, what a pleasant surprise! The only letdown was once again, the sauce. It overpowered the delicate lobster flavour. Mind you, the sauce itself was very tasty!

John, our waiter, was initially covering 2 sections so he was very busy. It didn't stop his friendly persona. Well done, John! We walked away so full. Next time we'll order less food lol. Would try out the dinner ala carte menu next time. The ambience is very elegant but the food presentation didn't match the surrounds. There was no consistency in the presentation and huge blanched broccoli stems with lobster tails don't do the dish justice. Small presentation issues so we're looking forward to seeing some improvement in the future.

Jul 28, 2011

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Been here a couple of times for work functions. Staff are nice and attentive. My steak was a bit tough, the kipler chips were soggy and over salty. The others enjoyed their meals though. The first time I was there the food was nicer.

Dec 08, 2010

5 Average

Food  3      Drinks  3      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  6     

Came on Wednesday night with the kids and S.O. Menu had changed. Items had gone up in price. Upsides: kids under 12 eat for free and if you are 12 yrs to 18 yrs, bring your student card for cheaper priced meals.

My medium rare steak was well done and tough. When I FYI'd the waitress, she came back and asked if I would like a replacement. I didn't want to wait another lengthy time so I said no. It was nice staff willingly offered a replacement.

The chook fm the caesar salad was dry and tough. The calamari rings fm 2 other dishes competed with being rubber bands. Quality of food was very bad. Until recently, it was very good. Pick up the slack people as we like coming here. Don't make us go elsewhere pls.

Jun 03, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  9      Value  7     

First time trying African food. Had a Saturday voucher so went for lunch yesterday. Unfortunately, it didn't say on the voucher or on the menu (the voucher was the same as their normal buffet pricing $25 p/p) buffet was only for dinner. Luckily we also had a buy 1 main get the other half price. Great food. Had a chicken dish (yedorro tibs) and beyayanetu yefisge watt (good value) which had a bit of everything, similar to an authentic thali dish fm India.

I didn't like the taste of the injera but my partner loved it. It's the fluffiest and softest giant picklet ever, top looks like crumpets. It tastes tangy. Used like naan to eat with the dishes. You can order rice instead. And yes, there was cutlery on the tables lol. We shared both dishes, too full to finish every scrap. If you're unused to chilli, let the waiter suggest dishes but might have to ask what has been brought out if you're unfamiliar with the cuisine.

Very friendly service, fantastic introduction to African cuisine. Food must be good as a few Africans came in for lunch. Wine only by the bottles. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any desserts on the menu. Def will be back to try the buffet another day. Simple and plain looking restaurant, amenities need some attention. http://www.gibeafricanrestaurant.com.au/

May 30, 2010

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Nothing to really write home about. Mostly Westernized Chinese food. The rainbow beef had quite nice beef. I'm sure they have much more potential since they are actually better than the big stand alone snobbish, pushy, rude, average food, overinflated prices, Chinese restaurant in Narre.

Apr 22, 2010

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  4     

Mediocre food. Nothing much else to even write about.

Apr 22, 2010

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

Have dined in and done take aways previously. Haven't been here recently so feedback isn't based on recent experiences. Food was fantastic, actually filling, fresh and piping hot, and excellent service (owner guy perhaps?). Mmm... should try it again soon.

Apr 22, 2010