Noshter

Reviews

Restaurants, Spanish, Vegetarian, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.1 14

6.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 6 Service 7 Value 6

My first time at De Los Santos, although I have walked past it many times over the years. Not many dining on a Wednesday night and the place looks a bit shabby and devoid of characetr, even though it is a really lovely place which have so much potential.

Ordered a very nice bottle of Pinot Grigio from the Mornington Peninsula, and a selection of Tapas, which was tasty. Service was friendly and in keeping with the atmosphere of the place.

Nice for a weeknight dinner but I don't think it would fit the bill for the big night out.

Apr 05, 2012

Gold Leaf Chinese Restaurant, Springvale

Restaurants, Chinese, Yum Cha, BYO, Licensed

Overall 6.5 9

7.3 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

My wife's second time and my first at the Gold Leaf Preston for Sunday Yum Cha. It had the real feel of Asia when we dined today, a huge noisy venue, fresh dishes, and brisk service.

I found the foods to be of a high standard, super fresh and hot, and a good range. Maybe not quite the atmosphere of some of the better known restaurants in the city, but we really enjoyed our lunch there today and will be back again.

Feb 26, 2012

Solto, Brunswick East

Restaurants, Japanese, Street Parking

Overall 5.3 2

5.3 Average

Food 6 Ambience 7 Service 3 Value 5 Drinks 6

I guess all new restaurants have teething problems, and we saw this on display when we went for dinner at Solti last night.

A lovely fitout and the promise of something new in the growing bar and restaurant strip in Lygon St East Brunswick. But the service, and the food let it down on this occasion. After waiting for quite a long time, we got a drinks menu and ordered two Thunder Road draft beers, but nothing came, neither the beers or the food menu. After about 10 minutes, we inquired about the drinks and was told they were on the way, then a few minutes later, ask to repeat the order (later charged for 4 beers).

While looking at the menu, we had a meal delivered to us, and then removed. Ordered 4 dishes which were delivered progressively, and were nice but rather simple (and very small) and not really what you might go out for. One of the more frustrating aspects was that we were given flat plates and chopsticks to eat things like silken tofu, when a bowl would have been much more useful (the eating much less difficult).

When the bill came, it made no sense, so I asked for an explanation, and the cost of dinner when down from $93 to $75, when they removed the things we didn't order.

Maybe is was just a bad night and maybe we ordered badly. I haven't decided yet whether to return to find out.

Jan 19, 2012

Añada, Fitzroy

Restaurants, Spanish, Tapas, Banquet, Good Wine List

Overall 7.1 16

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food 6 Ambience 4 Service 7 Value 3

Dinner here with a group of people, and have to say up front that this was not a good choice for the kind of group I was with, which included older people and young children. Perched on bar stools, and not being able to converse due to the pitch of the music (which varies from pleasant to verging on doof, doof) was not conducive to the occasion.

Were told that we could only order the set menu and were then brought a series of tapas plates with extremely small servings (the jamon was cut so thinly that it was almost too difficult to get the flavor before it disintegrated on the tongue).

The food was generally tasty but for the cost (we had the $55 a head which did not include dessert or coffee), very disappointing and I for one left hungry.
The cheapest bottle of wine that I could see was just under $50, but they did have a nice range of Spanish sherries, many by the glass.

I am sure this cafe would suit some, but in a crowded market for this kind of place, it does not compete well with some much better places around the corner in Smith Street, where you will get a better dining experience at a more affordable price.

Dec 19, 2011

Resurrection, The, Brunswick East

Bars

Overall 5.3 1

5.3 Average

Drinks 5 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 4

I'd like to give this new bar a good write up but $8 for an ordinary sav blanc in a tumbler is just not good enough. When you are up again The Alderman across the road, Mr Wilkinson and even the Comfortable Chair, you need to offer a bit more than that to get people in. I'll give the place another try in 3 months to see if things have improved.

Nov 11, 2011

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Member since 2008

Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 36 reviews

De Los Santos, Fitzroy

Restaurants, Spanish, Vegetarian, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.1 14

6.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 6 Service 7 Value 6

Apr 05, 2012

Gold Leaf Chinese Restaurant, Springvale

Restaurants, Chinese, Yum Cha, BYO, Licensed

Overall 6.5 9

7.3 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

Feb 26, 2012

Solto, Brunswick East

Restaurants, Japanese, Street Parking

Overall 5.3 2

5.3 Average

Food 6 Ambience 7 Service 3 Value 5 Drinks 6

Jan 19, 2012

Añada, Fitzroy

Restaurants, Spanish, Tapas, Banquet, Good Wine List

Overall 7.1 16

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food 6 Ambience 4 Service 7 Value 3

Dec 19, 2011

Resurrection, The, Brunswick East

Bars

Overall 5.3 1

5.3 Average

Drinks 5 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 4

Nov 11, 2011

Adanali, Brunswick

Restaurants, Turkish, BYO

Overall 7.2 3

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 5 Service 8 Value 9

I have ordered take away from Adanali a few times over the last couple of years.

Went there with my family for a quick meal on Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed it. The decor is certainly basic, but that isn't why we were there. We had a pretty standard Turkish spread of dips, lamb doner and kebab, chicken kebab and Turkish salad and brought along a bottle of our own wine.

Everything was tasty and fresh, and the kids really loved it. They even worked around the allergies one of us have, without any problem. Turkish bread really makes this kind of meal for me, and I was a little disappointed, as it wasn't fresh out our the wood oven, as you always get at the Golden Terrace.

Still, it was a good honest meal, and was just right for the occasion.

Nov 11, 2011

Longrain, Melbourne

Restaurants, Asian, Thai, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.8 33

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

Dinner last Saturday night, we arrived at about 7.15pm and told that there was a 45 minute wait for a table, which we expected, and were shown to the bar for a drink and a wait. We ordered a couple of Tigers and were asked for a credit card so that they could "start a tab". When the CC wasn't returned, I asked where it was and told by the waitperson that they keep it until we have been found a table.

I've never experienced this, and said that I was concerned that my credit card could be skimmed or interfered with during this time. Argued with the waitperson who was rather dismissive of my concerns, but when I told her that the liability for any fraud was on her head, she returned the card to me promptly. Not happy at that point.

In the end, we got a shared table in about 15 minutes and took advice from the waitperson on 4 dishes. The food was delightful, beautifully cooked, with the right balance of flavors and heat.

The credit card business was off putting (if they thought we would do a runner, I'd have been happy to pay for each round of drinks), but the food is certainly well done, and will encourage a return visit.

Nov 11, 2011

Huxtable, Fitzroy

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Has Bar, Licensed, Serves Breakfast

Overall 8.8 6

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 8

I have been hanging around Smith Street on and off for 20 years and witnessed its various incarnations. I am pleased to report that it still has a bit of an edge to it despite the dramatic change in businesses along this strip. Shabby $2 shops and pawnbrokers rub shoulders with groovy wine bars and cafes to create a street with something for everyone.

We had dinner at Huxtable on a Saturday night and had two stools up at the kitchen bar, which we really enjoyed. We had 4 or 5 plates to share and all of the dishes were very nice and tasty, and delivered by the chef as they were prepared.

It was interesting to see how the dishes were put together, and the rather clever way that they utilised fresh ingredients, preparation and minimal cooking to produce a really interesting variety of dishes.

Our dinner at Huxtable really suited the mood and the staff were friendly, helpful and very efficient in what is a quiet small space.

Sep 30, 2011

Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar, Brunswick East

Bars, Japanese, Has Bar, Outdoor Dining, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.2 4

8.3 Highly Recommended

Drinks 8 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 7

It took us a couple of weeks to get in, and finally managed to get a booking for a Monday night. We scored a booth, but different seating arrangements all look interesting and would have been happy on the mezzanine or the long table.

We had a couple of draft Sapporo beers to start, and then ordered about 8 of the small shared dishes which ranged in price from $6 -16. Also had some sake, chosen from a very extensive menu with help from our waiter.

Overall the food was good, well cooked and presented and flavoursome without being really exceptional (except for the tufu which was magic). This is not the place to go for a slap up dinner, because the servings are small and very delicate.

The waiter who served us was extremely helpful, and clearly developing his knowledge of sake. Kumo is a very worthy addition to what is becoming one of the best eating strips in Melbourne, and I look forward to returning with friends soon.

Sep 30, 2011

Coda Bar & Restaurant, Melbourne

Restaurants, Asian, French, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 6.5 19

7.8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 6 Service 9 Value 7

Ours was a Friday lunch, a bit of a slash out with my wife. We arrived at opening (12 noon)and while the staff weren't quite ready, they welcomed us in and got things started with a very nice glass of Italian bubbles.

We left our meal choice entirely up to the waiter and were not diappointed with what we got. Standouts were the prawns in betel leaf, the bugs, and the CODA version San Choi Bau. The wine we chose, a French Marsanne went exceptionally well with the dishes.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and rather laid back (perhaps a little too familiar at times for some of the diners there), but it was fine for us.

A really enjoyable meal, and the generous nature of the staff making us feel that we were welcome (and it also scored then a decent time from us as well!) Highly recommended.

Jun 09, 2011