Ironbark

5.2 Average

Food  5      Drinks  5      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  5     

We meet my parents at Berry a few times a year and have lunch at the Berry Hotel.

The good points, The menu changes reasonably regularly. The kids menu is good and they get a drink and ice cream. The seating area is good (not flash, but it is a pub, so it is fine). The range of menu choices is great. Toilets are clean and recently renovated. There is a bit of parking, but unless you've used it before, you'll drive past before you know it was there (driveway off the main raod, which is a little hard to see).

However the bad points are, Some of the menu items are done really badly. My wife has had about 4 meals, and different ones each time, and not one has been good. Most have been left partially eaten. The Dolmades that I had a year or two ago were atrocious. The pizzas are not much better. Steaks and schnitzels (standard pub food) is not bad, but sometime a little untidy.

Have to remember that it is still a pub. Granted it is in a town that prides itself on its quirkiness and "country charm", but it is a pub equivalent to those you would find in the rest of NSW.

We changed location for our get together last weekend to the other pub in town (name escapes me)... and the Berry Hotel is the superior eating location of the two. They just need to kids play equipment (that doesn't give the kids splinters) to improve the family attractiveness of it.

May 17, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

Arrived on a drizzling day in late January. We had been "given" a lunch as a Christmas Present, so also had two young kids with us (3 and 5).

They were happy to cater for the kids. They offered some pasta (that doesn't appear on the menu) which was nice, huge bowl each which my two didn't come close to finishing. The Potato Bread Roles were yummy and we all had one, with the olive oil/rosemary butter. No problems and really nice. The bread does not need to be ordered, nor did an appetiser of Tempura Peppers (nice sweet little pepper/capsicum briefly cooked in tempura batter. I quite enjoyed them, but they weren't to my wife's liking.

Throughout all this we were waited on hand-and-foot, including having been greeted at the door, having water supplied and continually topped up, and the kids even got a drawing toy to keep them entertained (though they didn't end up using it).

As for our entrees and mains. I had the smoked salmon with rice, fish roe, etc, and my wife had the potato Gnocchi. Couldn't fault either. Really beautifully presented, and were happy to point out what things were when our little ones asked, (including Barage and Onion Chive flowers).

The mains though, were a litle disappointing. Its not that they weren't nice, they were, they were just not what was expected. I had duck breast, which the meat was cooked to perfection, but it was surrounded in a thick layer of fat/skin. I understand that may well be the point, and that, perhaps, my pallete isn't trained enough. I did try a complete mouthful, duck breast with the skin/fat (as the skin had a beautiful coating of spices on it, but it was not pleasant. My wife had what was essentially satay chicken. She felt it was too "satay" and though the quality of the meat was better, the taste was what should be expected at Thai takeaway. I tried the recommended wines for each meal, which were great selections.

I should say that the value was great (as we didn't have to pay - being a present) but we did note the prices. It isn't as bad as I thought. $65 for two courses. We didn't have dessert but they looked really nice.

Beautiful building, great staff, and good food.

Feb 10, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  5     

It has a hydrotherapy pool, and an indoor pool. Plenty and nice therapy rooms and the change rooms are clean (though a little small - one urinal and toilet, and 2 showers, in the mens). Really expensive, but really relaxing. Have only had massages, so can't comment on the beauty treatments.

Jul 25, 2011

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

Mountain Palace Chinese Restaurant is one of the longest lasting businesses in North Richmond. It moved fromthe 1st floor in the main arcade a few years ago and are now on the ground floor.

We haven't been there for a sit down meal for a long time, but get takeaway once every couple of months.

Great, really fast service. 15minutes to produce 7 dishes and be ready. Each time we get takeaway we get a bag of prawn chips for free. The value is pretty good, though a couple of dishes are a little on the expensive side.

The food itself is always fresh, and freshly cooked. The sweet and sour pork is the best I've had. Comes in a box with the fried pork, and an accpanying substantial tub of Sweet and sour sauce.)

I won't detail each dish we've ever had, but we have never had any problems with service, food or value - and haven't experienced the ambience since their move. The fried rice is probably the least impressive, but is still nice.

Jul 25, 2011

3.8 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  5      Drinks  5     

Went there for a 40th Surprise Birthday Party. The restaurant had the two tables reserved well in advance. There are no doors to it, as it is part of the Beach Club.

The attendees wanted to put their bags and drinks on the tables (the tables were marked with reserved signs). The waitress emphatically said No. This was at 1155 and the reservation was for 1200 pm. At 1159 she said the same thing.
This was pretty much the indication of the service we received by 2 of the 5 staff. Even when we were finishing up, they were quick to seize on the opportunity and cleaned up over our shoulders and made it clear they wanted us to leave. We had been there for no more than 2 hours and the party had spent over $600 (probably closer to $900).

So service got 2 stars. Value - most meals were good value, but not great value. I would say it was average.

Drinks - If table service was offered for drinks we were not made aware of it. They did clear the empties though. Had to attend the bar to get our drinks.

Ambience - beautiful view of the beach, and it is in a corner of the club, so doesn't get much "passing" traffic (ie people walking to the pokies. It is immediately adjacent an outdoor verandah where smokers go to light up, and, unfortunately, with an easterly or southerly breeze the smoke gets in with ease, under/over the door and when it is opened.

Food - Any steak dish - Abysmal. Kitchen staff (sorry, kitchen staff - they are no kitchen staff!) wouldn't know what anything less than well done looked like. Asked for a medium rare steak and it had No pink left in it. This was consistent around the two tables. Kids pizza looked alright but tasted dodgy. Fish n chips was Ok. Salmon looked good but was overcooked.

Finally, Coffee took 10 minutes (and even needed to be ordered at the cash register. It isn't a bistro. It isn't self service. It is an a-la carte restaurant and a poor one at that.

In early 2000/01 we used to attend the "predecessor". Same area in the same club, but had a different name. It was great. Always had friendly staff, and great, good value food. No more, I'm afraid.

Jul 25, 2011

5.2 Average

Food  5      Drinks  5      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  5     

We meet my parents at Berry a few times a year and have lunch at the Berry Hotel.

The good points, The menu changes reasonably regularly. The kids menu is good and they get a drink and ice cream. The seating area is good (not flash, but it is a pub, so it is fine). The range of menu choices is great. Toilets are clean and recently renovated. There is a bit of parking, but unless you've used it before, you'll drive past before you know it was there (driveway off the main raod, which is a little hard to see).

However the bad points are, Some of the menu items are done really badly. My wife has had about 4 meals, and different ones each time, and not one has been good. Most have been left partially eaten. The Dolmades that I had a year or two ago were atrocious. The pizzas are not much better. Steaks and schnitzels (standard pub food) is not bad, but sometime a little untidy.

Have to remember that it is still a pub. Granted it is in a town that prides itself on its quirkiness and "country charm", but it is a pub equivalent to those you would find in the rest of NSW.

We changed location for our get together last weekend to the other pub in town (name escapes me)... and the Berry Hotel is the superior eating location of the two. They just need to kids play equipment (that doesn't give the kids splinters) to improve the family attractiveness of it.

May 17, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

Arrived on a drizzling day in late January. We had been "given" a lunch as a Christmas Present, so also had two young kids with us (3 and 5).

They were happy to cater for the kids. They offered some pasta (that doesn't appear on the menu) which was nice, huge bowl each which my two didn't come close to finishing. The Potato Bread Roles were yummy and we all had one, with the olive oil/rosemary butter. No problems and really nice. The bread does not need to be ordered, nor did an appetiser of Tempura Peppers (nice sweet little pepper/capsicum briefly cooked in tempura batter. I quite enjoyed them, but they weren't to my wife's liking.

Throughout all this we were waited on hand-and-foot, including having been greeted at the door, having water supplied and continually topped up, and the kids even got a drawing toy to keep them entertained (though they didn't end up using it).

As for our entrees and mains. I had the smoked salmon with rice, fish roe, etc, and my wife had the potato Gnocchi. Couldn't fault either. Really beautifully presented, and were happy to point out what things were when our little ones asked, (including Barage and Onion Chive flowers).

The mains though, were a litle disappointing. Its not that they weren't nice, they were, they were just not what was expected. I had duck breast, which the meat was cooked to perfection, but it was surrounded in a thick layer of fat/skin. I understand that may well be the point, and that, perhaps, my pallete isn't trained enough. I did try a complete mouthful, duck breast with the skin/fat (as the skin had a beautiful coating of spices on it, but it was not pleasant. My wife had what was essentially satay chicken. She felt it was too "satay" and though the quality of the meat was better, the taste was what should be expected at Thai takeaway. I tried the recommended wines for each meal, which were great selections.

I should say that the value was great (as we didn't have to pay - being a present) but we did note the prices. It isn't as bad as I thought. $65 for two courses. We didn't have dessert but they looked really nice.

Beautiful building, great staff, and good food.

Feb 10, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  5     

It has a hydrotherapy pool, and an indoor pool. Plenty and nice therapy rooms and the change rooms are clean (though a little small - one urinal and toilet, and 2 showers, in the mens). Really expensive, but really relaxing. Have only had massages, so can't comment on the beauty treatments.

Jul 25, 2011

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

Mountain Palace Chinese Restaurant is one of the longest lasting businesses in North Richmond. It moved fromthe 1st floor in the main arcade a few years ago and are now on the ground floor.

We haven't been there for a sit down meal for a long time, but get takeaway once every couple of months.

Great, really fast service. 15minutes to produce 7 dishes and be ready. Each time we get takeaway we get a bag of prawn chips for free. The value is pretty good, though a couple of dishes are a little on the expensive side.

The food itself is always fresh, and freshly cooked. The sweet and sour pork is the best I've had. Comes in a box with the fried pork, and an accpanying substantial tub of Sweet and sour sauce.)

I won't detail each dish we've ever had, but we have never had any problems with service, food or value - and haven't experienced the ambience since their move. The fried rice is probably the least impressive, but is still nice.

Jul 25, 2011

3.8 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  5      Drinks  5     

Went there for a 40th Surprise Birthday Party. The restaurant had the two tables reserved well in advance. There are no doors to it, as it is part of the Beach Club.

The attendees wanted to put their bags and drinks on the tables (the tables were marked with reserved signs). The waitress emphatically said No. This was at 1155 and the reservation was for 1200 pm. At 1159 she said the same thing.
This was pretty much the indication of the service we received by 2 of the 5 staff. Even when we were finishing up, they were quick to seize on the opportunity and cleaned up over our shoulders and made it clear they wanted us to leave. We had been there for no more than 2 hours and the party had spent over $600 (probably closer to $900).

So service got 2 stars. Value - most meals were good value, but not great value. I would say it was average.

Drinks - If table service was offered for drinks we were not made aware of it. They did clear the empties though. Had to attend the bar to get our drinks.

Ambience - beautiful view of the beach, and it is in a corner of the club, so doesn't get much "passing" traffic (ie people walking to the pokies. It is immediately adjacent an outdoor verandah where smokers go to light up, and, unfortunately, with an easterly or southerly breeze the smoke gets in with ease, under/over the door and when it is opened.

Food - Any steak dish - Abysmal. Kitchen staff (sorry, kitchen staff - they are no kitchen staff!) wouldn't know what anything less than well done looked like. Asked for a medium rare steak and it had No pink left in it. This was consistent around the two tables. Kids pizza looked alright but tasted dodgy. Fish n chips was Ok. Salmon looked good but was overcooked.

Finally, Coffee took 10 minutes (and even needed to be ordered at the cash register. It isn't a bistro. It isn't self service. It is an a-la carte restaurant and a poor one at that.

In early 2000/01 we used to attend the "predecessor". Same area in the same club, but had a different name. It was great. Always had friendly staff, and great, good value food. No more, I'm afraid.

Jul 25, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Have been to Manly RnR a couple of times, and when this one opened, we decided to give it a go. The first visit was good. My wife, of course, had the ribs, and they weren't too bad. They get cold really quickly but I don't know what could be done about that.

My steak though has heaps of sinew and fat, and when served with a sauce, covers it, so the first you know about it, is when chewing it. No vegetables or salads with meals, but served as very expensive sides. Service was good.

The second time we attended, was with our kids (2 and 4). Started early and the waiters were very friendly and helpful. As kids do, we got a good look at the amenities, which were quite nice, and clean. The restaurant is nice and clean. Nice decorations, and for what is essentially an industrial unit, it is great. Both levels are good, and there is a balcony and verandah. Plenty of parking.

The only disadvantage is that instead of a $10 dessert, you can walk 30 seconds to Maccas for a 50 cent icecream cone.

Jul 25, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  7     

Have eaten here twice. Food is pretty good. Service is not far behind, but the view is what it is worth going for, particularly in summer as the sun sets over the water. Would be great for a romantic dinner for 2, but equally as good for dinner with friends and family as we have done. Kid friendly (particularly as there is a swing 50 metres away), with plenty of parking. If there is any criticism, it might be that some of the tables are a little cramped, but no more so than a lot of restaurants.

Mar 05, 2008

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  6     

Nice little restaurant, however the biggest impression I left with was just how cramped it was. I note that they have a wheelchair friendly symbol on this site. We attended with friends, both of us having babies in prams. We rang in advance to see if 1. The restaurant were happy to have them, and 2. to advise that two prams would be coming. We were placed next to the bar, with absolutely no room to spare. My wife and I were forced to stay in our seats for the entire time (me with my arm wedged against the bar) as no provision had been made for our small prams.)

Certainly the restaurant was not full at the time, and in the room where we were there were only three tables filled. Given our specific request, I had expected the restaurant to give us a table that was not buried in a corner. How a wheelchair fits, I am not sure, and there must be a rear entrance as (when we went) the front entrance had steps. Food was quite nice, however, and the service not too bad. Drinks were a little slow to start with. Will probably give it another go, but not immediately.

Mar 05, 2008

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  7     

Operated by the owners of Kurmond Wine Bar and Grill. Thought it would be similar in style to that of the Kurmond Restaurant. Was not aware that the dining area, directly adjoined the main bar/poker machine area, and though the noise was not a problem, (and the aesthetics were not affected) the smoke from the "pub" infiltrated the dining area. For non-smokers, this is not desirable - particularly as we attended with my pregnant wife.

The food choice was good for the type of venue but it is essentially a bistro with table service. Order at the counter, pay upfront. Order drinks at the bar. We had one main meal arrived with our entrees (however was happily taken back and placed under the warmer). Nachos came without Guacamole, even though it was stated it would be there. This was due to the kitchen running out but instead of advising of the shortfall, they simply replaced with sweet chili sauce. Not usually associated with nachos. The "beef and reef" was very nice and the calamari, BBQ'd octopus and garlic prawns were all very nice. The view would be spectacular on a clear day/night, except for the cars parked in the way. Not sure why the hotel has allowed parking right in front of the dining area which boasts the name City View ... when all we could see (with a window seat) was a Nissan Skyline.

Nov 13, 2006

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

Have been here on numerous occassions. Food is great. Always enough on the plate. Standard menu that changes occassionally, supported by weekly specials. It is a restaurant first, so no smoking inside. The ambience is great for a family restaurant. All kids welcomed and catered for. Nice al fresco dining area, with good vistas over surrounding farmlets. The service is always friendly ... (has on the odd occassion been a little slow - but normally very good). Great value and a nice place to eat with friends and family.

Nov 13, 2006