J-DEV

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  6     

As a youngster this place used to be a tradition for my family on new years eve, so was eagerly anticipating a return visit many years later. Still the same amazing view, still great food, although the service seems to have dropped a little. Returning with family again, we tried a range of curries which were all above-average in our books. My favourite being the goan fish curry and the khorma. As per previous, our waiter was “pushy” on the up-sell which was a little disappointing service-wise. But the real appeal is the view. Visit for a curry at an amazing location. Just make sure you book a table near the window.

Jan 18, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

We had a pleasant dinner seated in front of the of the sushi bar one Saturday night. The food was very fresh and impressive. We shared a mixture of things, sushi, tempura and meat from the grill. Wine menu was fairly comprehensive, not to mention the amazing sake menu which we did not try this time around. All was great except for the waygu beef. It was cubed and tasted nice but was extremely fatty, I would have left nearly two-thirds of it. I expect a lot better quality given the price tag. The only downside to an otherwise enjoyable night.

Jan 13, 2011

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  5     

Had dinner here on a Sunday night with family. In short, the service was great, food good, but a very expensive night out. Probably not worth it, especially given you're paying for the location. And it was pouring rain the whole time we were there.

I had the garlic prawns as entree. Great. The majority of the group ordered fish, all cooked to perfection and tasted great. A choice of salad or chips was provided, at their rates I expect both to accompany my meal please!

Downside to the evening was my wife being sick, but I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here. Given she had the mussels, along with 2 other people who were not sick. The service was the headline, so save this as a special occasion venue, given the steep price tag.

Jan 13, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

My wife an I went to La Botte d'oro and had a great Saturday night here in Jan 2010. We have been disappointed a number of times at the Forum and on Norton street in general, so decided to try it after a friend recommended it. Glad we did!

We started by sharing a Bruschetta, which was nice without being amazing. Followed by a Petrini pizza and pesto spaghetti, which was great. Particulaly the woodfired pizza which was a generous size. Would recommend you try it, they also do take-away which we well noted.

Desert was one of the better gelatos we have tried in town. Coffee was also good. My only gripe was the service wasn't as attentive as I expected. We needed to flag a waiter to order mains and desert. Though we would return.

Jan 13, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  5     

Went here with a dozen work colleagues for lunch. We usually go to the Regal, which we find good for yum cha without being amazing. This comes in well under the Regal (which has since closed down). Service is lacking, bordering on arrogant, and Food selection is limited.

There were a few good dishes, Singapore noodles and mango pancakes but the rest was a let down. At $30 p/head with no alcohol, I won't be heading back.

Dec 17, 2010

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  6     

As a youngster this place used to be a tradition for my family on new years eve, so was eagerly anticipating a return visit many years later. Still the same amazing view, still great food, although the service seems to have dropped a little. Returning with family again, we tried a range of curries which were all above-average in our books. My favourite being the goan fish curry and the khorma. As per previous, our waiter was “pushy” on the up-sell which was a little disappointing service-wise. But the real appeal is the view. Visit for a curry at an amazing location. Just make sure you book a table near the window.

Jan 18, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

We had a pleasant dinner seated in front of the of the sushi bar one Saturday night. The food was very fresh and impressive. We shared a mixture of things, sushi, tempura and meat from the grill. Wine menu was fairly comprehensive, not to mention the amazing sake menu which we did not try this time around. All was great except for the waygu beef. It was cubed and tasted nice but was extremely fatty, I would have left nearly two-thirds of it. I expect a lot better quality given the price tag. The only downside to an otherwise enjoyable night.

Jan 13, 2011

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  5     

Had dinner here on a Sunday night with family. In short, the service was great, food good, but a very expensive night out. Probably not worth it, especially given you're paying for the location. And it was pouring rain the whole time we were there.

I had the garlic prawns as entree. Great. The majority of the group ordered fish, all cooked to perfection and tasted great. A choice of salad or chips was provided, at their rates I expect both to accompany my meal please!

Downside to the evening was my wife being sick, but I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here. Given she had the mussels, along with 2 other people who were not sick. The service was the headline, so save this as a special occasion venue, given the steep price tag.

Jan 13, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

My wife an I went to La Botte d'oro and had a great Saturday night here in Jan 2010. We have been disappointed a number of times at the Forum and on Norton street in general, so decided to try it after a friend recommended it. Glad we did!

We started by sharing a Bruschetta, which was nice without being amazing. Followed by a Petrini pizza and pesto spaghetti, which was great. Particulaly the woodfired pizza which was a generous size. Would recommend you try it, they also do take-away which we well noted.

Desert was one of the better gelatos we have tried in town. Coffee was also good. My only gripe was the service wasn't as attentive as I expected. We needed to flag a waiter to order mains and desert. Though we would return.

Jan 13, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  5     

Went here with a dozen work colleagues for lunch. We usually go to the Regal, which we find good for yum cha without being amazing. This comes in well under the Regal (which has since closed down). Service is lacking, bordering on arrogant, and Food selection is limited.

There were a few good dishes, Singapore noodles and mango pancakes but the rest was a let down. At $30 p/head with no alcohol, I won't be heading back.

Dec 17, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  7     

Myself and two other people went here on a Saturday night. We arrived around 7:30 pm not expecting to get a table, the place was packed but we jagged part of a table in the main room. It was loud but it added to the atmosphere. We all enjoyed a few drinks which were above average prices, but not unexpected.

After an hour and a half we were seated at a table, which seemed an Ok wait to us given the time we arrive on a Saturday night. The wait staff were nice enough, having the character that a lot of other places do not. I can see how this turns some people off, but I would take these guys over wet blankets any day.

I had the steak which impressed me, or maybe it was just my hunger at around 10:30 pm when the food arrived. All in all we had a great night. Sure it took a while and was a little over priced, but we went in with these expectations and it made for a 'complete' night out, not just your typical pub/bar drinks and meal. Try it!

Dec 17, 2010

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  8     

Having walked past this place numerous times in the past year, we finally got around to checking it out. It being the first Korean cuisine experience for both of us. We were served a complimentary starter which, although neither of us are tuna fans, was a nice touch.

We ordered the chicken bulgogi, beef teriyaki, kim chee fried rice and spring roll entree, the chicken being the standout. Serving sizes were very generous and more than we could eat. We BYO'ed beer and wine and the final bill came in under $50 which by my account is a cheap night out. The decor is not amazing, but it's a nice local restaurant which we will visit again.

Nov 09, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  7     

I kicked off my bucks show at The Local and had an amazing time. We hired out the function room which is a great idea if you’ve got a group of over 6 friends together. The best beer selection in Sydney was complimented by some really good quality finger food, not the typical fried stuff.

Only gripe was the portion size, we ordered the most expensive per-head rate thinking it would mean “more”, when in fact it meant “higher quality” (oysters etc.). When asked the question of management they were more than willing to send out a bit more food, mini pizzas and a few bowls of chips, to keep us happy.

I will be back for a proper meal soon and looking forward to it.

Oct 18, 2010

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Have eaten breakfast here a few times with vego/vegan friends. Good value food without fail. I'm not a massive vegetarian fan but have always left without missing meaty trimmings. Only shortcoming is the seating if you end up in a booth, it makes for an extremely cramped meal.

Oct 18, 2010

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

Wow they've copped a bit of a caning on here, not that I am surprised. I have been here a few times with just my wife and with a few friends. Hit and miss on the service, but we've had good food each time. We always order a paella to share and a few tapas to start and have never been disappointed.

There is live entertainment here on some nights, but having always sat out the back I've never seen it. The menu is pricey, but for some reason all Spanish food in Sydney is. I've never understood why. Give it a go if you're not cost conscience or in a rush.

Oct 18, 2010