Elliot G

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  7     

If looks can be deceiving then this is one that could certainly throw you. Look through the big glass windows at the front, and big communal tables stare right back at you, with people seemingly everywhere. Step inside the "Den" however, and you'll be treated to a whole lot more.

Rooms snake all the way through to the back, and it is there in particular that you'll actually feel like you're in an opium den. Service can often be a bit hit or miss, but the food is quite impressive. I've been to this place a handful of times now, and on the whole, it is really good - without being amazing. Plenty to choose from in a rather expansive menu, and it is all pretty damn tasty.

Chicken and cashew nuts, sesame beef, five spices duck - we've had each of them a few times, and while they sometimes taste just that little bit better than other times, at about $15-17 for a main, they represent tremendous value. Throw in a few dollars for corkage, and each time, $30 sees you almost rolling out the front, having polished off a few entrees (to share) and a main each.

The rooms at the back are quirky, and would make for a great private function. And all up, despite some minor faults (service, and the oft-fluctuating taste), it represents great value, and a fun night out.

Feb 10, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

A recent and welcome addition to the Potts Point landscape, what looks like a nice funky bar is actually a whole lot more.

Step inside and slide into one of the booths, and you’ll be taken away into an abundance of decadence. The pictures, the lighting, the seating, it is all top notch. A nice solid wine list is on offer, although we decided to go with a few beers to quench the thirsts of a warm spring evening.

Bootleg’s service is very personable and attentive, and it’s all very intimate, although with the tables a little too close to each other, perhaps, a little ‘too’ intimate. We decided to try the Arancini for a starter to share, and were surprised when we were presented with what looked like meatballs in a red sauce. But Arancini it was, and covered in a napoletana sauce, it was divine, and a very pleasant shift from the usual way this dish is prepared.

The mains probably took a little bit longer to arrive than they should’ve, but when they did, a Fussili with beef dish, and a stuffed squid of sorts. Both meals were very tasty, and had loads of flavour. In fact, they were both so close to being absolutely spot on, but in my opinion, just fell short of it, simply due to the lavish amounts of oil: both dishes were seemingly swimming in it.

Other than that, this was a great dining experience, and despite the oil overdose, I will definitely be back. There was plenty on the menu that I’m keen to try in the future, and I look forward to doing exactly that.

Nov 30, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  9     

Wow. In Sydney three years, and I'd only ever heard of this place. Finally, I gave it a go and was not disappointed. After a terrible experience with a chicken schnitzel elsewhere and only a few days earlier (see my other reviews), I decided to see if we could top it at Shakespeare's.

Oh boy did they top it! I went for the crumbed chicken parma, and topped with eggplant and just the right amount of ham and cheese, it was bliss. And very nicely washed down with very well priced beer on tap.

We didn't manage to get a seat upstairs, but we strolled up there later so I could feast my eyes on what people have always raved about and now I know why! Will definitely be back!

Sep 14, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

A birthday brought us to the Bavarian, and as we nestled in on one of the couches in the nicely laid out beer garden, I decided it was time to quench my thirst, as well as take care of the appetite for food.

I had a glance at the 'bar menu' (available all day) but decided to give the 'full menu' some serious consideration, and was heartened to see a bevy of schnitzels, steaks, and food with a distinct 'Bavarian' feel. You know the saying, 'when in Rome.....'

I went for the "Swiss Schnitzel", a chicken schnitzel topped with Swiss cheese and double smoked Leg Ham, served with Potato Salad, and chose to wash it down with half a litre of the ale (Spatan) recommended by the barman.

Needless to say, I was glad at least I ordered correctly with the beer because I needed it to wash down a thoroughly disappointing meal. Even the way the food was presented was disappointing, with what looked like a mountain of cheese literally dumped on top of a life-less and not particularly fresh looking piece of chicken. Very disappointing.

Others in our party ordered meat tasting platters (which looked a lot better) and some went for the wagyu burger (which also got mixed reviews). Great space outside in the beergarden, and could, perhaps, be used to greater effect, but the food, in this instance, was disappointing. If I'm ever in the area again, I may give it a shot, but there seems to be plenty of other food options in and around the area that deserve a look in first.

Sep 14, 2010

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

Deciding late on a Friday afternoon to try nab a table at this increasingly popular Surry Hills locale, we were pleased and surprised to be able to do exactly that. Arriving smack on time, we were, however, disappointed with the location of the table, seemingly right in the middle of the floor and just in front of the door behind it. We sat down, and while not necessarily the fault of the restaurant, the peering eyes from all other tables suggested what I was already thinking, that the table's placement was very strange. Given this, we asked to move the table somewhat 'out of the way'. Not sure why this wasn't considered before.

Nevertheless we got into it and scanned a modest, at best, wine list, going for a bottle of Pinot Noir which ultimately, wasn't quite as good as the price tag would've suggested. The food, tapas, on the other hand was much better. The olive bread was a nice starter, the lamb pieces mixed with a chorizo type mince was tasty, as was the shredded meat in filo pastry (my pick for the night). Sides of chorizo and potatoes were also equally tasty and satisfying, while not necessarily mind-blowing.

Great little simple layout and friendly service, but given the loud noise that emanates within, can't help but think that some carpet would go a long way to absorbing some the noise. Sitting directly opposite my girlfriend and with a small table between us, it was still difficult to hear her, far from ideal.

Together with the bottle of uninspiring red, our bill clipped in at just under $100. Not bad. Might try this place again in the future, but there'll be others I might give a go first.

Aug 23, 2010

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  7     

If looks can be deceiving then this is one that could certainly throw you. Look through the big glass windows at the front, and big communal tables stare right back at you, with people seemingly everywhere. Step inside the "Den" however, and you'll be treated to a whole lot more.

Rooms snake all the way through to the back, and it is there in particular that you'll actually feel like you're in an opium den. Service can often be a bit hit or miss, but the food is quite impressive. I've been to this place a handful of times now, and on the whole, it is really good - without being amazing. Plenty to choose from in a rather expansive menu, and it is all pretty damn tasty.

Chicken and cashew nuts, sesame beef, five spices duck - we've had each of them a few times, and while they sometimes taste just that little bit better than other times, at about $15-17 for a main, they represent tremendous value. Throw in a few dollars for corkage, and each time, $30 sees you almost rolling out the front, having polished off a few entrees (to share) and a main each.

The rooms at the back are quirky, and would make for a great private function. And all up, despite some minor faults (service, and the oft-fluctuating taste), it represents great value, and a fun night out.

Feb 10, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

A recent and welcome addition to the Potts Point landscape, what looks like a nice funky bar is actually a whole lot more.

Step inside and slide into one of the booths, and you’ll be taken away into an abundance of decadence. The pictures, the lighting, the seating, it is all top notch. A nice solid wine list is on offer, although we decided to go with a few beers to quench the thirsts of a warm spring evening.

Bootleg’s service is very personable and attentive, and it’s all very intimate, although with the tables a little too close to each other, perhaps, a little ‘too’ intimate. We decided to try the Arancini for a starter to share, and were surprised when we were presented with what looked like meatballs in a red sauce. But Arancini it was, and covered in a napoletana sauce, it was divine, and a very pleasant shift from the usual way this dish is prepared.

The mains probably took a little bit longer to arrive than they should’ve, but when they did, a Fussili with beef dish, and a stuffed squid of sorts. Both meals were very tasty, and had loads of flavour. In fact, they were both so close to being absolutely spot on, but in my opinion, just fell short of it, simply due to the lavish amounts of oil: both dishes were seemingly swimming in it.

Other than that, this was a great dining experience, and despite the oil overdose, I will definitely be back. There was plenty on the menu that I’m keen to try in the future, and I look forward to doing exactly that.

Nov 30, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  9     

Wow. In Sydney three years, and I'd only ever heard of this place. Finally, I gave it a go and was not disappointed. After a terrible experience with a chicken schnitzel elsewhere and only a few days earlier (see my other reviews), I decided to see if we could top it at Shakespeare's.

Oh boy did they top it! I went for the crumbed chicken parma, and topped with eggplant and just the right amount of ham and cheese, it was bliss. And very nicely washed down with very well priced beer on tap.

We didn't manage to get a seat upstairs, but we strolled up there later so I could feast my eyes on what people have always raved about and now I know why! Will definitely be back!

Sep 14, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  5     

A birthday brought us to the Bavarian, and as we nestled in on one of the couches in the nicely laid out beer garden, I decided it was time to quench my thirst, as well as take care of the appetite for food.

I had a glance at the 'bar menu' (available all day) but decided to give the 'full menu' some serious consideration, and was heartened to see a bevy of schnitzels, steaks, and food with a distinct 'Bavarian' feel. You know the saying, 'when in Rome.....'

I went for the "Swiss Schnitzel", a chicken schnitzel topped with Swiss cheese and double smoked Leg Ham, served with Potato Salad, and chose to wash it down with half a litre of the ale (Spatan) recommended by the barman.

Needless to say, I was glad at least I ordered correctly with the beer because I needed it to wash down a thoroughly disappointing meal. Even the way the food was presented was disappointing, with what looked like a mountain of cheese literally dumped on top of a life-less and not particularly fresh looking piece of chicken. Very disappointing.

Others in our party ordered meat tasting platters (which looked a lot better) and some went for the wagyu burger (which also got mixed reviews). Great space outside in the beergarden, and could, perhaps, be used to greater effect, but the food, in this instance, was disappointing. If I'm ever in the area again, I may give it a shot, but there seems to be plenty of other food options in and around the area that deserve a look in first.

Sep 14, 2010

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

Deciding late on a Friday afternoon to try nab a table at this increasingly popular Surry Hills locale, we were pleased and surprised to be able to do exactly that. Arriving smack on time, we were, however, disappointed with the location of the table, seemingly right in the middle of the floor and just in front of the door behind it. We sat down, and while not necessarily the fault of the restaurant, the peering eyes from all other tables suggested what I was already thinking, that the table's placement was very strange. Given this, we asked to move the table somewhat 'out of the way'. Not sure why this wasn't considered before.

Nevertheless we got into it and scanned a modest, at best, wine list, going for a bottle of Pinot Noir which ultimately, wasn't quite as good as the price tag would've suggested. The food, tapas, on the other hand was much better. The olive bread was a nice starter, the lamb pieces mixed with a chorizo type mince was tasty, as was the shredded meat in filo pastry (my pick for the night). Sides of chorizo and potatoes were also equally tasty and satisfying, while not necessarily mind-blowing.

Great little simple layout and friendly service, but given the loud noise that emanates within, can't help but think that some carpet would go a long way to absorbing some the noise. Sitting directly opposite my girlfriend and with a small table between us, it was still difficult to hear her, far from ideal.

Together with the bottle of uninspiring red, our bill clipped in at just under $100. Not bad. Might try this place again in the future, but there'll be others I might give a go first.

Aug 23, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I'm a recent addition to the Potts Point scene, so I thought I'd check out this longstanding resident. In fact, I've tried it three times. Breakfast, coffee, and dinner.

All up, very impressed. Breakfast is tasty, service is friendly, without being overbearing and most importantly for a Melbournite like me, the coffee is pretty good. Not necessarily 'mind-blowingly oh my god my face is about to explode this is so good', but still pretty damn good.

Dinner was Lamb ragout linguini, surprisingly with rocket but I went with it, and was not disappointed. My friend had the steak diane and was equally impressed. Again, great friendly service, and nestled in a really nice part of the neighbourhood. Makes for lovely mild spring and summer nights. Will be back.

Aug 20, 2010

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Think of the moment when you've finally made it to your favourite coffee place in the entire world. You've ordered, and think of the moment when you're about to bring the coffee to your lips, and you know, that you're about to experience something special, and you want to savour every second of it.

This is exactly how I felt as I walked into Nostos for the first time. I'm from Melbourne originally, and having travelled through Greece as well, it is fair to say that I've been to my fair share of Greek restaurants. From the outset, let me tell you, this is up with the best of them.

From the moment you walk in, the service is top shelf. Not in the fine dining kind of way, but in the 'we are legitimately happy to have you here' kind of way. Friendly, sincere, but not overbearing.

Then, the food. Our waiter recommended the lamb, and given that the banquet ($40 per head) included this, we went with it. Everything was absolutely spot on. From the marinaded cold octopus, to the meatballs, to the amazing calamari, to the lima beans with Greek sausage, the garlic potatoes and yes, the Lamb. Oh my god the Lamb. It just fell of the bone and cooked in some amazing juices, it was a high note amongst a melody of ongoing brilliance. Even the sweets that followed were not to be faulted.

I literally cannot wait to get back there. Amazing stuff.

Aug 05, 2010

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

Had heard so much about this place, so when we finally decided to give it a whirl, I was pretty impressed with the results.

Little wonder this little gem has been around for so long, it prides itself on keeping it simple, but doing it well. It may not be fine dining, but the dishes are very generous, and just as importantly, taste pretty damn good.

Very much old-style cooking like your Italian friend's mum used to make, and they do it well. Score a nice table on the balcony, bring along a nice bottle of red, and you're on your way to a d@mn good time.

Jul 29, 2010

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Wow. What an experience! Was taken here for my birthday recently, and needless to say, it wasn't just the candles that were blown away. This place is divine!

Great service, amazing food, lovely mood and environment, and all reasonably priced. Solid wine list to choose from, and the food is so plentiful and tasty, that you just don't want to stop! The 'mukloubi' was noted as being the Chef's favourite dish growing up on the back of that recommendation that was one of the dishes we chose and wow what a taste. Thoroughly impressive, as were the other dishes, although this one dish was a must.

Already looking forward to my return visit, birthday or not!

Jul 29, 2010

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  6     

Interesting place this one. It promises old-skool Greek fare, and given how long it has been around, you'd think it would have nailed it by now but, unfortunately, falls short of the mark.

The service left a lot to be desired, and the night I visited, there was clearly quite a bit of tension between two of the staff members. So much so, my dining partner and I both thought they were going to come to blows.

Chaos averted, the food was actually much better, although the garlic dip was ridiculously strong. This coming from someone of Greek heritage too. Good thing the dinner wasn't a date! Lamb was good, and on the whole, the food was pretty tasty, although I think I'd much prefer take away to be honest. The old-style ambience is nice, although could probably do with a bit of an update.

Has the potential to be something really genuine and nice, but needs to do a bit to get there.

Jul 29, 2010