Hadomi

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

Had a really unique experience at Avalon. My partner and I dropped in on a Saturday lunch and walked up a big flight of stairs, turned right and my jaw dropped. It had such character, despite having not one customer in the restaurant. Every table was laiden with cute, little colourful and patterned cups and saucers- like my grandmother collects.

All were different and the restaurant had matching old tablecloths. Having every table to choose from we sat near the big window that looks over Katoomba's reserve and has a view of the mountains as well which was nice. The service, one chirpy lady in a cute colourful, patterned apron and a hairnet. It was like walking into another decade!

My partner had the lamb which he enjoyed but couldn't finish, it was such a large portion. I had the chicken breast with a creamy lemon sauce. It was nice but the sauce was a bit strong, and once again I didn't get close to finishing my meal because of the large size.

I rate the ambience 5 purely because we were the only ones in the restaurant. It was fully booked for night time service and I imagine if we had dined then the ambience and experience would have been completely different. Go there, it's gorgeous.

Apr 12, 2010

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  5     

Went here on a quiet weeknight with my partner as we're trying out all the local restaurants. There wasn't much to the restaurant, the interior was simple and being night time couldn't see any of the mentioned view despite being seated beside the large glass window, perhaps, they should get some outside spotlights. Not a big drama but made the room smaller and more narrow, and the tables behind us and in front seemed a lot closer.

Service was friendly but they didn't have much to deal with, it was a quiet weeknight. However, I don't know if service would've sufficed on a special occasion with lots of people. They weren't very informative on the menu but provided lots of smiles.

My partner ordered the scallops with chorizo for entree, and while I don't like seafood I must admit they looked fantastic and were presented very nicely. They got a thumbs up from him on flavour. My entree was the chicken strips with peri peri sauce, on a corn fritter. It seemed like a very small portion when it was laid in front of me but by the end I was satisfied but not too full for main. The flavours were a bit dull I thought, and very simple.

We both had the lamb in red wine for mains. We weren't asked how we would like the lamb cooked, and it came out a bit over what we would've liked, and a bit chewy. The flavours were good but simple again and it seemed like a dish anyone could make at home which takes away a big part of any restaurant experience.

Dessert was a mango brulee which was divine and we both devoured quickly but slowly enough it was enjoyed. All meals came out within quick succession of each other, but apart enough to let each meal settle. It's worth a try for a nice night out but I wouldn't recommend going there on a busy occasion.

Apr 12, 2010

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I've been here a few times now, and my opinion of it hasn't changed since my first impression. The food is good, but only good, a small size for the cost and honestly something I feel I could've made at home.

It's a beautiful little building, an old police station and the cellar gives it some character but at the same time it seems unfit for large bookings that are celebrating and loud, suited more for a quiet, intimate dining experience.

The staff are friendly and have a chat (had a laugh when we set off the smoke alarms with sparklers), they know the food well (helpful seeing as the menu is too fancy to understand) but seem to be lacking an eye for detail or professionalism.
I don't think badly of the place at all, but have no interest in returning again.

Jan 22, 2010

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  6     

Had a really unique experience at Avalon. My partner and I dropped in on a Saturday lunch and walked up a big flight of stairs, turned right and my jaw dropped. It had such character, despite having not one customer in the restaurant. Every table was laiden with cute, little colourful and patterned cups and saucers- like my grandmother collects.

All were different and the restaurant had matching old tablecloths. Having every table to choose from we sat near the big window that looks over Katoomba's reserve and has a view of the mountains as well which was nice. The service, one chirpy lady in a cute colourful, patterned apron and a hairnet. It was like walking into another decade!

My partner had the lamb which he enjoyed but couldn't finish, it was such a large portion. I had the chicken breast with a creamy lemon sauce. It was nice but the sauce was a bit strong, and once again I didn't get close to finishing my meal because of the large size.

I rate the ambience 5 purely because we were the only ones in the restaurant. It was fully booked for night time service and I imagine if we had dined then the ambience and experience would have been completely different. Go there, it's gorgeous.

Apr 12, 2010

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  5     

Went here on a quiet weeknight with my partner as we're trying out all the local restaurants. There wasn't much to the restaurant, the interior was simple and being night time couldn't see any of the mentioned view despite being seated beside the large glass window, perhaps, they should get some outside spotlights. Not a big drama but made the room smaller and more narrow, and the tables behind us and in front seemed a lot closer.

Service was friendly but they didn't have much to deal with, it was a quiet weeknight. However, I don't know if service would've sufficed on a special occasion with lots of people. They weren't very informative on the menu but provided lots of smiles.

My partner ordered the scallops with chorizo for entree, and while I don't like seafood I must admit they looked fantastic and were presented very nicely. They got a thumbs up from him on flavour. My entree was the chicken strips with peri peri sauce, on a corn fritter. It seemed like a very small portion when it was laid in front of me but by the end I was satisfied but not too full for main. The flavours were a bit dull I thought, and very simple.

We both had the lamb in red wine for mains. We weren't asked how we would like the lamb cooked, and it came out a bit over what we would've liked, and a bit chewy. The flavours were good but simple again and it seemed like a dish anyone could make at home which takes away a big part of any restaurant experience.

Dessert was a mango brulee which was divine and we both devoured quickly but slowly enough it was enjoyed. All meals came out within quick succession of each other, but apart enough to let each meal settle. It's worth a try for a nice night out but I wouldn't recommend going there on a busy occasion.

Apr 12, 2010

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I've been here a few times now, and my opinion of it hasn't changed since my first impression. The food is good, but only good, a small size for the cost and honestly something I feel I could've made at home.

It's a beautiful little building, an old police station and the cellar gives it some character but at the same time it seems unfit for large bookings that are celebrating and loud, suited more for a quiet, intimate dining experience.

The staff are friendly and have a chat (had a laugh when we set off the smoke alarms with sparklers), they know the food well (helpful seeing as the menu is too fancy to understand) but seem to be lacking an eye for detail or professionalism.
I don't think badly of the place at all, but have no interest in returning again.

Jan 22, 2010