Irnbru

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Went to Spagos last night with a friend. We didn't have a reservation and the previously described "fight club senior staff" (what a mean comment) could not have been more helpful or polite. After a wait of 10 minutes he beckoned us in and the staff ensured we were attended to very promptly. A good sign to see no vacant tables and people waiting for the turn around!

We had the mushroom risotto as well as the grilled mushrooms and haloumi for an entree and both were delicious. For my main, I had the spinach agnolotti stuffed with ricotta in a butter and sage sauce - Yum! My friend has the spaghetti with barramundi, scampi and cherry tomatoes. We both had coffee, a bottle of wine we brought with us and left a tip. $50/head - We're happy! Glad to see a suburban restaurant not taking themselves too seriously and caring about the patrons.

Could hear some laughing from the bar and chefs, a great sign, if the staff are happy, chances are the patrons will be too. Well done Spago, particularly our charming gentleman.

Jan 28, 2012

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  9     

Enjoyed a delicious lunch with two friends. We all had different pastas and were all delighted with our meal. The staff were attentive and helpful without hovering. Dessert and coffee topped off a delightful lunch. My only complaint was that it was a bit too dark and it was difficult to read the menus. I also lost my umbrella on the floor and couldn't find it in the dark. Will def return to this lovely venue.

Jan 28, 2012

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  1      Service  7      Value  5     

Went to Kalevu on a Saturday night. Restaurant fitted out very nicely, however, felt compelled to mark the ambience very low as frankly, on a table of 4, we could not hear each other. We ended up just talking to the person opposite. My friend had an app on his i-phone to measure noise and the decibel reading was and average of 89 (not counting the squeals from the table next to us)!

Food was fine, nothing flash or memorable. Very limited menu. I had the barramundi which was Ok but nothing special. Two of us ordered the dessert with the persian fairy floss (as my friend had never had it), out came dessert with no persian fairy floss.

When we finally caught a staff members eye and asked what had happened to the fairy floss, a shrug of the shoulders and an explanation of "we ran out", saw the look on our faces and came to the table with a plate of 4 chocolates (1 each) to compensate.

Waitress very bubbly and friendly (a natural), owner introduced himself (nice touch). Will not return on a Saturday night unless they can do something about the noise - parking horrendous!

Update January 2012 - Was persuaded to return with just one friend through the week. Much quieter, however, the attitude hasn't changed. I think the meals are overpriced and do not reflect that they are a main road in the suburbs! We had a main each and one coffee. Bill was $65 per head. Won't be returning.

Jan 28, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Enjoyed a wonderful evening at Longrain with 4 galpals. We attended the Delicious (magazine) does dinner at Longrain. $115/head and real value for money. Each course was accompanied by Bellvale wines and the staff were generous topping up glasses as needed. The betel leaves topped with smoked trout, chilli, garlic, galangal and trout roe was a knock out! Longrain has had a refurb since my first few visits about 8 years ago and I don't know why it's taken me so long to go back! Probably that they didn't take bookings (I hate that!). Delightful night, excellent food and on this occasion real value for money. Give it a try and have a predinner drink in the great bar downstairs, nice vibe (but slow service there).

Oct 25, 2011

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

What a lovely evening our table of four had last Saturday night at Stapletons! Warm and cosy environment and the place was already full when we arrived at 7.30pm (bookings essential by the look of it). We had the soup of the day (Asparagus which was very nice) and oysters as starters and I had the pork with a mustard crust for my main whilst my companions had the rib eye (with pepper gravy) and the chicken. Each one of us cleared our plates with lip smacking enthusiasm. The chef made sure he wandered around the floor and greeted each table in a warm and friendly manner which made you feel you were in someones home rather than a restaurant. Extensive wine menu and a beautiful selection of desserts (which we attacked with Gusto!) Lovely evening, we all left with full bellies and a contented smile. Good stuff.

Apr 04, 2011

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Went to Spagos last night with a friend. We didn't have a reservation and the previously described "fight club senior staff" (what a mean comment) could not have been more helpful or polite. After a wait of 10 minutes he beckoned us in and the staff ensured we were attended to very promptly. A good sign to see no vacant tables and people waiting for the turn around!

We had the mushroom risotto as well as the grilled mushrooms and haloumi for an entree and both were delicious. For my main, I had the spinach agnolotti stuffed with ricotta in a butter and sage sauce - Yum! My friend has the spaghetti with barramundi, scampi and cherry tomatoes. We both had coffee, a bottle of wine we brought with us and left a tip. $50/head - We're happy! Glad to see a suburban restaurant not taking themselves too seriously and caring about the patrons.

Could hear some laughing from the bar and chefs, a great sign, if the staff are happy, chances are the patrons will be too. Well done Spago, particularly our charming gentleman.

Jan 28, 2012

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  9     

Enjoyed a delicious lunch with two friends. We all had different pastas and were all delighted with our meal. The staff were attentive and helpful without hovering. Dessert and coffee topped off a delightful lunch. My only complaint was that it was a bit too dark and it was difficult to read the menus. I also lost my umbrella on the floor and couldn't find it in the dark. Will def return to this lovely venue.

Jan 28, 2012

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  1      Service  7      Value  5     

Went to Kalevu on a Saturday night. Restaurant fitted out very nicely, however, felt compelled to mark the ambience very low as frankly, on a table of 4, we could not hear each other. We ended up just talking to the person opposite. My friend had an app on his i-phone to measure noise and the decibel reading was and average of 89 (not counting the squeals from the table next to us)!

Food was fine, nothing flash or memorable. Very limited menu. I had the barramundi which was Ok but nothing special. Two of us ordered the dessert with the persian fairy floss (as my friend had never had it), out came dessert with no persian fairy floss.

When we finally caught a staff members eye and asked what had happened to the fairy floss, a shrug of the shoulders and an explanation of "we ran out", saw the look on our faces and came to the table with a plate of 4 chocolates (1 each) to compensate.

Waitress very bubbly and friendly (a natural), owner introduced himself (nice touch). Will not return on a Saturday night unless they can do something about the noise - parking horrendous!

Update January 2012 - Was persuaded to return with just one friend through the week. Much quieter, however, the attitude hasn't changed. I think the meals are overpriced and do not reflect that they are a main road in the suburbs! We had a main each and one coffee. Bill was $65 per head. Won't be returning.

Jan 28, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Enjoyed a wonderful evening at Longrain with 4 galpals. We attended the Delicious (magazine) does dinner at Longrain. $115/head and real value for money. Each course was accompanied by Bellvale wines and the staff were generous topping up glasses as needed. The betel leaves topped with smoked trout, chilli, garlic, galangal and trout roe was a knock out! Longrain has had a refurb since my first few visits about 8 years ago and I don't know why it's taken me so long to go back! Probably that they didn't take bookings (I hate that!). Delightful night, excellent food and on this occasion real value for money. Give it a try and have a predinner drink in the great bar downstairs, nice vibe (but slow service there).

Oct 25, 2011

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

What a lovely evening our table of four had last Saturday night at Stapletons! Warm and cosy environment and the place was already full when we arrived at 7.30pm (bookings essential by the look of it). We had the soup of the day (Asparagus which was very nice) and oysters as starters and I had the pork with a mustard crust for my main whilst my companions had the rib eye (with pepper gravy) and the chicken. Each one of us cleared our plates with lip smacking enthusiasm. The chef made sure he wandered around the floor and greeted each table in a warm and friendly manner which made you feel you were in someones home rather than a restaurant. Extensive wine menu and a beautiful selection of desserts (which we attacked with Gusto!) Lovely evening, we all left with full bellies and a contented smile. Good stuff.

Apr 04, 2011

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Went to the Malaya with a large group. Food very nice however some dishes were a little salty for my liking. Staff courteous but not a warm and friendly style. Food was generous for our banquet and delivered at a steady pace which suited our group. Mojitos very good too! Not the type of place for a quiet dinner for 2.

Apr 04, 2011

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Oh la la! I found this restaurant on Eatability and thought I'd give it a try. It exceeded my expectations! Our waiter Clement could not of been more helpful or professional if he tried. Our ignorant questions about translation were answered without a sneer and indeed, he applauded our patheric attempt at ordering in French - what a star! Our table of 3 had Boeuf Bourguignon (I'm feeling so French now!), Tart Flambee cheese, Coq au vin, tartine and we shared our desserts of creme brulee, chocolat mousse and tarte tatin. We washed all this down with 2 bottles of Gros Manseng Sauv Blanc and decided that this restaurant was a real gem! Will I go back? As soon as I can. Well done Bistro Papillon, nice atmosphere, excellent service and beautiful food - Merci! $80 per head with 3 courses and lots beautiful French wine. Bon apetit!

Apr 04, 2011

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

We ate at Kafenes using a jumponit voucher. I don't know if we were treated "differently" because of this. As the other reviewers have commented, our dips were served immediately - even before we had a chance to pour the wine! I think they forgot about us (a group of 4) as the courses came out with undue haste until the prawn saganaki. After that dish, it was more than an hour until the next came. It was hot, harried and noisy and the food was average. I've hit them with a 5 score all around as I don't think they deserve a higher score based on our experience. Disappointing.

Jan 30, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Have been here 4 times over the last year and a half and have had good food and good service each time. This is the sort of restaurant I expect in inner Sydney and am delighted to find the same standard in little old Bilpin! Love the fireplace and fresh herbs hanging from the kitchen beam. Limited, but carefully selected menu. Something for everyone! Food prepared with care and beautifully presented. Keep up the high standard, my friends and I will return.

Nov 01, 2010

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  2     

I agree with the comments below about the poor service. I have found the food to be overpriced and average. I tried to give one staff member a tip for going out of her way to be helpful only to be told that all tips go to the kitchen for division. Lugarno desperately needs a BYO restaurant with fresh food, good service and variety. Put Mulga Tree, Chilli Man or any other restaurant which provides food made with care at a reasonable price and it will be a huge hit.

Lugarno has Lugarno Seafood (overpriced, old fashioned and no BYO), Manicinis (read below) and a nice cafe called Limes which is open I believe for breakfast and lunch. That's it! Come on aspiring chefs, there's a whole suburb waiting to support you!

Update September 2010.

A friend organised a gathering of 5 people at Mancinis last Wednesday night. What a shocker! We ordered 2 salads and 2 large pizzas. The salads were nice but it was over an hour before we received our 2 x pizzas.

A Wednesday night is Lugarno is not exactly"jumping" when it comes to restaurant bookings! My friend asked the waitress when our pizzas would be coming as "it's been over an hour". The waitress responded "Are you serious", laughed and off she went. That's it for me, Manicini off my list and yes if you are reading this Mancini Waitress "I'm serious".

Sep 24, 2010