JRA Racing

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

We have been twice, a year apart, and will be back again. The ambience and service make the place. That may seem an insult to the food, but it isn't. Many places fail on ambience and service, so it is worth mentioning. Is the food outstanding? Sometimes, yes, and for some dishes. Perhaps not always outstanding, but it is always good. This is traditional old style French. Modern palates may find the sauces somewhat heavy and seet, but they are done well. It is especially great on a wintery night (of which there are happily many up that way!). Beware of overdoing the alcohol if you are driving, as it is easy to do. If you can stay there, or get a cab, do that and then you can relax, imbibe and enjoy it fully. Take it slowly, enjoy the robust meals, and then be pleased as the reasonable prices. Its old world French, and thank goodness it can still be found.

Oct 17, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We went for dinner. The look is great and the layout works well with one little drawback. You have to leave the premises and enter the small shopping zone that it is attached to and find the small and very basic, but private (locked) bathrooms. Not an elegant aspect of an otherwise elegant establishment. Not something management can change, but nonetheless something that customers must confront. It is a relaxed vibe, cafe style for day and bistro style for evening. The menu is sensibly limited, and they do what they do very well. The service was friendly, informed and efficient. Price was nice too. An enjoyable option in a very competitive market, and we'll certainly recommend and return.

Response from Management:
Hi JRA Racing.

Thanks for your review.

I am on the same page re the bathrooms, thankfully a few changes are in the pipeline. Unfortunately there is no way to relocate the bathrooms as the building is heritage listed. As such we are doing our best to make them a little less basic! New sinks were installed yesterday and a fresh coat of paint is scheduled for next week, with tiling to come!

Thanks again for your positive comments re the vibe, food and service.

I look forward to welcoming you back to Hawthorn Mosman.

Cheers,
Sean

Oct 17, 2011

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

Previously, Maze had been my most expensive meal. This topped it by quite a margin, but in quality as well as costs. The decor was minimalist, presumably relying on the view. However, we were in a side area and the views were limited by comparison to the main area. This was disappointing. You don't get a discount for that!

Like many people, the Snow Egg had been my principal reason for going there. I was not disappointed by the jackfruit version, but the staff themselves admit that the guava version is the best. I don't see this as a criticism, as fruits are seasonal and I thought that the construction of the dish was very clever and very enjoyable.

Having two desserts on a tasting menu was innovative I thought, not a problem, and no one that I saw was complaining or leaving them! The second dessert was very delicious. The other dishes were each very memorable we thought, for different reasons. It all seemed very well balanced, with variation of texture being a feature which you don't find often elsewhere.

The pig jowl was fantastic, and whilst it would be an amazing main, I think it was best having the tasting menu as it may have been too powerful. Service was excellent and the total experience was worthy of its reputation.

Oct 17, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  6     

A lot of effort has gone into getting sable right. The layout and decor is a great experience. Variable, not the same throughout. Almost quirky. The drinks are the usual array of things, with expensive exotic cocktails, but all are good.

Food is tapas style, and mostly of above average quality. Manly has a number of tapas options so it is very competitive. Sable is not the very best, but it is quite good. Pricey, but quite an overall experience. Have been a number of times and you don't tire of it.

Aug 11, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

The atmosphere and decor is really good. The drinks selection is awesome (but $$). The food range (tapas) is good, and the quality is middle. Some of the dishes were very nice. Nothing was bad, and nothing was brilliant, but I enjoyed the vibe and the experience and have gone several times (and will return).

Aug 11, 2011

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

We have been twice, a year apart, and will be back again. The ambience and service make the place. That may seem an insult to the food, but it isn't. Many places fail on ambience and service, so it is worth mentioning. Is the food outstanding? Sometimes, yes, and for some dishes. Perhaps not always outstanding, but it is always good. This is traditional old style French. Modern palates may find the sauces somewhat heavy and seet, but they are done well. It is especially great on a wintery night (of which there are happily many up that way!). Beware of overdoing the alcohol if you are driving, as it is easy to do. If you can stay there, or get a cab, do that and then you can relax, imbibe and enjoy it fully. Take it slowly, enjoy the robust meals, and then be pleased as the reasonable prices. Its old world French, and thank goodness it can still be found.

Oct 17, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We went for dinner. The look is great and the layout works well with one little drawback. You have to leave the premises and enter the small shopping zone that it is attached to and find the small and very basic, but private (locked) bathrooms. Not an elegant aspect of an otherwise elegant establishment. Not something management can change, but nonetheless something that customers must confront. It is a relaxed vibe, cafe style for day and bistro style for evening. The menu is sensibly limited, and they do what they do very well. The service was friendly, informed and efficient. Price was nice too. An enjoyable option in a very competitive market, and we'll certainly recommend and return.

Response from Management:
Hi JRA Racing.

Thanks for your review.

I am on the same page re the bathrooms, thankfully a few changes are in the pipeline. Unfortunately there is no way to relocate the bathrooms as the building is heritage listed. As such we are doing our best to make them a little less basic! New sinks were installed yesterday and a fresh coat of paint is scheduled for next week, with tiling to come!

Thanks again for your positive comments re the vibe, food and service.

I look forward to welcoming you back to Hawthorn Mosman.

Cheers,
Sean

Oct 17, 2011

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

Previously, Maze had been my most expensive meal. This topped it by quite a margin, but in quality as well as costs. The decor was minimalist, presumably relying on the view. However, we were in a side area and the views were limited by comparison to the main area. This was disappointing. You don't get a discount for that!

Like many people, the Snow Egg had been my principal reason for going there. I was not disappointed by the jackfruit version, but the staff themselves admit that the guava version is the best. I don't see this as a criticism, as fruits are seasonal and I thought that the construction of the dish was very clever and very enjoyable.

Having two desserts on a tasting menu was innovative I thought, not a problem, and no one that I saw was complaining or leaving them! The second dessert was very delicious. The other dishes were each very memorable we thought, for different reasons. It all seemed very well balanced, with variation of texture being a feature which you don't find often elsewhere.

The pig jowl was fantastic, and whilst it would be an amazing main, I think it was best having the tasting menu as it may have been too powerful. Service was excellent and the total experience was worthy of its reputation.

Oct 17, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  6     

A lot of effort has gone into getting sable right. The layout and decor is a great experience. Variable, not the same throughout. Almost quirky. The drinks are the usual array of things, with expensive exotic cocktails, but all are good.

Food is tapas style, and mostly of above average quality. Manly has a number of tapas options so it is very competitive. Sable is not the very best, but it is quite good. Pricey, but quite an overall experience. Have been a number of times and you don't tire of it.

Aug 11, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

The atmosphere and decor is really good. The drinks selection is awesome (but $$). The food range (tapas) is good, and the quality is middle. Some of the dishes were very nice. Nothing was bad, and nothing was brilliant, but I enjoyed the vibe and the experience and have gone several times (and will return).

Aug 11, 2011

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  6     

Cleverly quirky in style with food to match but have not lost sight of the need for quality cooking. Went for dinner. Casual seating style and no bookings, so squeezing into a space can be challenging. Corn entree is an experience! Also had some vegetarian mains and pork belly. Great location, and the price reflects that, so not cheap. But an ejoyable experience and worth taking friends to.

Aug 11, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

We dined on a quiet midweek evening, and had the place to ourselves for some time. Which enabled our attentive host to give us his undivided attention, how spoilt! We had the cheese souffle and scallops for entree, the duck and beef for mains, and the bombe alaska for dessert. All of which was beautifully cooked and presented, and tasted great.

Happy to recommend. Even the homecooked bread is worthy of a special mention. Elegant but understated decor, and a great location. Prices are good and byo keeps the bill modest. Thanks Dimtri for a lovely dinner and a nice experience at your restaurant. We will return.

Aug 11, 2011

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  6     

The service initially looks like it will be great. Quite a few "chef-looking" people in the open kitchen. But after that it seems more like a fast food place in disguise. Having said that, the chips were outstanding I thought (even with the herbs), and the burger was definitely better than some of the other reviews are suggesting.

Perhaps, not as good as it could have been, in that there was a bit too much juice going on. And I especially asked for beetroot, as it is what makes a burger for me. Adds that bite of sweetness to cut through the fattyness.

Overall I was quite happy with the value for money, but I agree that they are not living up to their potential and the management could get a better result from the place.

Aug 08, 2011

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

The hugely varied ratings and experiences of people about Quattro Passi are puzzling. How can it be so good and so bad? I work locally, and go there at least weekly for lunch. The people are really warm and genuine. The place is casual and "real". I always ask Robert what he recommends, and I have always found it to be good. I recently had the corn cakes and, honestly, it was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten - especially the avocado salsa. Soups are very good. Meatballs were once a little bland perhaps, but still nice for lunch and good value. I enjoy going there, and find it an experience I will continue with.

Aug 08, 2011

7.3 Recommended

Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

Have avoided the busy times, and been for supper (after the movies) and breakfast (on the weekends). Tapas is expensive, so the bill adds up. Quality and range is very good. Breakfast choices were innovative and tasty. Service was good. There are few good wine bars around, so this is on my regular list now.

Updated: been several more times, and Firefly holds up. Service is good, even when they are very busy - which is most of the time. Not a cheap option, but always a good experience.

Aug 08, 2011