Somnus

Reviews

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Citibank Dining Program, Licensed, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.4 80

7.3 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 8

Been here a couple of times as I work around the corner, and both times I was happy with the food - without ever getting to the point of raving about anything. Food is simple and is served innovatively - sometimes to the your annoyance (jam jars that you cannot get into the corners of).

Coming from the same chef as Assiette, DD is nowhere near the same quality (admittedly aiming at a different market segment), that is only somewhat compensated by the cheaper prices.

Not bad, and I would go again.

May 02, 2012

Aki's Indian Restaurant, Woolloomooloo

Restaurants, Indian, Banquet, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.7 117

7.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 7

Finally got around to trying Aki's after multiple recommendations, and we were not disappointed. Up front I must admit I am not an Indian lover but wanted to try here to see if I could be swayed and it is definitely the nicest Indian I have had. The curries are milder than most but steadily build flavour as you get through each dish.

Mixed entree to start was tasty but small, which was made up for by the abundance of food for main, goat curry, seafood curry, and a spinach and cottage cheese dish which was much nicer than it sounds! The accompanying naans were delicate and crispy, and complimented the subtle curries perfectly. Dessert was nice but not the reason anybody would come here.

Service was attentive and friendly, and the location is beautiful. A table outside at dusk, with the fruit bats flying overhead from the domain is recommended.

Apr 10, 2012

The Montpellier Public House (Closed), Randwick

Restaurants, English, French, Family Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 7.2 30

6.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 8

We came here with a voucher and for the price paid, this was very good value. We received a great mixed entree to start with a number of strange elements that I really enjoyed, snails, pig ears and the lambs brains were particularly nice (once you get over the thoughts in your head!).

We then had a choice of mains, which were average enough. We ordered one whole ocean jacket and 1 pork and sweetbread stew. Neither were memorable.

For dessert we had another mix, with panna cotta, eton mess, bread and butter pudding, and some chocolate thing. All were tasty, and nice versions of old favourites.

Service was not great, the waitress recommended a beer that was $12 and when the bill came turned out to be $17, and she was also quite slow to refill glasses. She was new, and that also explains why she knew very little about the menu. I hope the other staff are better trained.

Overall, the building is beautiful, and the pubby atmosphere is nice. Would not rush back, but wouldn't complain if I had to go again either. Watch out for the pricey beer selection.

Mar 28, 2012

Rise Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Asian, Fusion, Japanese, Family Dining

Overall 8.4 153

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 9

Came here on a Saturday night with a group on 10 for a birthday dinner. First up, BYO at $12 per head is a bit steep, but after that the prices are extremely reasonable.

As a table we opted for the degustation, which at $49 for 5 courses is excellent value. There was also the option to bolt on 2 courses (oysters to start and a second savoury dessert). The oysters came out nicely flavoured and fresh. The second dish was mixed entree plate which was tasty. The tempura oyster was great.

Next came a confit of trout which was simple but sizable. The scallop with foie gras was nice without being outstanding, while the following dish of wagyu beef cheek was the only poor dish on the night. I'm not sure if it wasn't braised for long enough or if the piece of meat I got was poor, but it was gristly and fatty all the way through, and almost inedible for me (others at the table thought it was fine).

The first dessert (optional savoury) was blue cheese ice-cream with pretzel. Tasted like frozen blue cheese, which I guess is the idea, and I loved it. Some commented it was too strong. The final dessert was a mandarin sorbet. This was a clean finish to a very nice meal.

Overall service was friendly, although we did need to ask for glasses to be refilled on a number of occasions. $80 a head, incl corkage and tip for 7 courses of food this quality is great value, and I would have no problem giving a recommendation.

Mar 28, 2012

Jamie's Italian, Sydney

Restaurants, Italian, Serves Dinner, Serves Late Dining, Serves Lunch

Overall 7 124

7.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

Finally got around to eating here after a couple of months of half-arsed attempts. We arrived at 5.45pm on a Wednesday and were seated straight away (When leaving at 7.15pm there were a number of people waiting in the bar). Menus were promptly supplied and drink orders taken. We did however have to ask for the complimentary bread which the table beside us received before us, having been seated 10 minutes later.

We started with the Baked Mushroom and some polenta chips. The baked mushroom was not one large mushroom as I had expected, but more like a thin-based pizza pie with sliced mushroom on top. Both dishes were tasty and sizable.

We then shared the crab and squid ink risotto and the Aussie Lamb Spiedini. The risotto was nice, if maybe a little shy on crab meat. The lamb however was beautiful. 3 different cuts, skewered together along with Prosciutto wrapped bread and polenta chips (I did not know this when ordering previous dish!). For me this was definitely the standout.

For dessert we shared the panna cotta. Nothing special here, but again simple and tasty.

All in, the service is good and the food is exactly what you would expect - rough around the edges, simple, very flavorsome and generously portioned. Definitely a place you could visit multiple times, as the menu reads so well - and the other patrons food looked so tempting! Need to return to try the pasta

Jan 19, 2012

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Member since 2010

I'm Male

My home town is Sydney

My favourite cuisine is Italian

Last updated on 14th Oct 2011

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 30 reviews

District Dining, Surry Hills

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Citibank Dining Program, Licensed, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.4 80

7.3 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 8

May 02, 2012

Aki's Indian Restaurant, Woolloomooloo

Restaurants, Indian, Banquet, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.7 117

7.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 7

Apr 10, 2012

The Montpellier Public House (Closed), Randwick

Restaurants, English, French, Family Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 7.2 30

6.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 8

Mar 28, 2012

Rise Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Asian, Fusion, Japanese, Family Dining

Overall 8.4 153

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 9

Mar 28, 2012

Jamie's Italian, Sydney

Restaurants, Italian, Serves Dinner, Serves Late Dining, Serves Lunch

Overall 7 124

7.8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

Jan 19, 2012

Balla, Pyrmont

Restaurants, Italian, Serves Dinner, Serves Lunch

Overall 5.8 11

7 Recommended

Food 6 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 6

Came here for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night. The first thing we noticed were the big picture frames on the wall highlighting the steps involved in creating the glass light fittings all over the restaurant. This is a nice feature, and adds to the impressive modern decor of the dining room.

We ordered (2 people sharing); the veal tongue and the goats cheese and spicy salami with ciabatta for antipasto, then shared the quail for primi, spanner crab spaghetti for pasta and the blue eye for main. All dishes were simple, with the quail and veal tongue the stand outs. The blue eye was disappointing - slightly overcooked and the accompanying "guazzetto" overpowering the fish slightly with its intense tomato flavour.

Comments from the other guests mirrored our experience, T-bone for 2 gained compliments all round, but the pork chop bringing the average score back down.

The service is exceptional, my water glass never hit empty and all questions regarding the dishes were answered impeccably. This really came to the fore when I noticed a piece of chewing gum which had been stuck to the underside of my seat had attached itself to my pants. As irate as I was, I don't think staff can be held accountable for the general ignorance of some patrons.

The manager on the floor at the time handled the situation extremely well, offering a round of lemon-cellos for the table (8 people) and a card so they could be contacted with a dry cleaning bill.

With wine and a couple of beers, dinner came to $90 per person which was a little expensive considering we voted to hit the gelato bar around the corner for dessert.

Service aside, the food is only Ok, some good dishes, some not so good and all very simple. I wouldn't be rushing back, but not one to be avoided either.

Jan 09, 2012

Cotton Duck (Closed), Surry Hills

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Serves Dinner, Serves Lunch, American Express

Overall 7.2 31

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 7

First time here - on a voucher. The meal started with (very) small canapes of fish cake with tapioca balls, and babaganoush with yam crisp, and bread with house churned butter. Very nice intro.

We then ordered one of each of the entrees, and shared. The prawn in sesame oil dressing was nice, but 2 average sized prawns on a $20 entree is pretty skimpy. The pressed pork with black lentils, however, was sizeable and a definite standout.

For mains we both ordered the lamb shoulder. This was another simple but very tasty dish. The lamb was pretty much perfectly cooked. Accompaniments of mushrooms and chestnuts were a nice side show.

For dessert we ordered the goats cheese pannacotta with mousse and strawberry gelato. This was quite a weird taste, as - apart from the gelato, it was not sweet, but somehow I could have eaten a bucket of it.

Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. The open kitchen is always good to see, the fresh "herb garden" on the bar highlights the food ideology being followed, and the waiting staff were exactly what you expect in a place like this.

Update: Came here a second time and the experience was just the same. Still great food, with probably the best pork belly I have had in recent memory, (Jared was actually working this time!) and just a nice spot over-all. There was a new girl working our table who was unsure of some of the dishes/ ingredients, and I had trouble getting her to bring the bill. Hopefully it was a "this is my first day" moment, and I'd expect this to improve exponentially in the coming weeks. Same ratings apply.

Dec 14, 2011

Majors Lane Restaurant, Lovedale

Restaurants, Cafes, Modern Australian, Family Dining, Fine Dining

Overall 7.2 25

6.3 Average

Food 6 Ambience 7 Service 6 Value 6

We booked here after leaving it too late to get into Muse for a Saturday night - and it turned out to be a costly act of laziness on my part. We were seated in the outdoor section for a 6.30 dinner, and the setting is beautiful. The only downside, and not the fault of the restaurant, was the influx of flies in the area that squated in and around our table for the whole 2 hours.

I was intrigued by the smokehouse element to a lot of the dishes, and with that in mind ordered the scallop and chorizo entree. That is exactly what turned up, 3 scallops rested on 4 slices of chorizo - with a little sauce here and there. Very bland, and I have had better chorizo from the local deli. Other entrees on the table drew mixed reviews - the duck prosciutto with brie balls was minimal and tasteless, while the rabbit pastry was complimented from a height.

The mains got the same mixed reception. My lamb was recommended medium - which I ordered - but turned up rare, at best. This is not how I like my lamb, so I was put off from the start. The accompanying asparagus tart, was in fact a circular shaped omelette with next to zero ingredients other than egg inside. No carbs on the plate. This was consistant throughout the main meals, and they seem to be designed to be ordered with a side - which is fine - if the waiting staff had have told us this as we ordered. The salmon seemed the worst main we experienced, while the goat pie was quite nice. The pork belly was also good, but turned up with no crackling. We're not sure if they burnt it and left it off the dish, or if it does not come with the usual top layer - but this is not noted on the menu.

After some very swift service (too quick if anything) for the first 2 courses, we were left waiting about 40 minutes for dessert. For me this was the best course table-wide - although 2 of us did order the apple tart with butterscotch sauce, and one turned up swimming in sauce while the other had barely a smear. They looked wildly different side by side - although both tasted great. Other desserts enjoyed were the fondue (hard to get wrong) and a choc-jaffa mousse - again nice without anything special.

For me, I would not return - considering the wealth of ingredients available on their doorstep, I was disappointed with the offering.

Nov 28, 2011

Etch Restaurant, Sydney

Restaurants, European, Modern Australian, Vegetarian, Citibank Dining Program

Overall 8.1 74

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 9

Like many reviewers below, we also came here with the 3 course voucher, and like many reviewers below we also found the food outstanding. We went for the Pork Belly with crispy prawn, and the ocean trout with smoked scallop to start, and both were extremely good, for varying reasons, the pork was hearty with strong flavours and textures, while the trout was light with many simple ingredients coming together naturally to produce great flavour combinations.

For mains we opted for the burnt spinach lasagne and the baked snapper, scallop and squid curry. From across the table, the lasagne looked unique, and innovatively assembled and the reviews were just as complimentary, fresh and satisfying. The seafood "curry" was one of the nicest dishes I have had in a long time, the curry foam was airily light, with just enough curry to let you know it's there but delicate enough to allow the seafood flavours to come through and make the dish. Spectacular.

For dessert we ordered the Caramelised Date Tart and the Savarin Cheesecake. Both were very nice, without being outstanding. Petit Fours were an interesting finish, with a peanut/honeycomb brittle, and a citrus fizz being served with tea. An amusing end to a fantastic dinner. I have rated value so highly due to the voucher, but obviously this decreases as the price goes up!

Service was efficient (although I would have expected a little more hospitality through the offer of a towel, or not having to retrieve my own umbrella from behind the counter, after battling an unmerciful downpour on the way to the restaurant), and not as personable as it could have been. The dining room is intimate with old 1920's style decor which I found a little uncomfortable to sit on. With only minor grievances, Etch is an all round first-rate experience.

Nov 23, 2011

Cala Luna Ristorante, Mosman

Restaurants, Caterers, Function Venues, Italian, Family Dining

Overall 7.9 155

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 9

I found Cala Luna an absolute delight. With this place omitted from the book, I'm really starting to lose faith in the Good Food Guide. We had the 4 course set menu with matching wines, and the food was amazing. The standouts were the fresh pasta dishes (lamb ragu and balmain bug). I love the idea of using their own farm produce, and the food reflects the freshness and quality of these ingredients. We're already looking forward to returning.

Update: Returned here (the new location upstairs at the yacht club) for Lunch on Sunday, and if anything, the whole package is even better now with the addition of water/boat views, and a nice open air balcony (warranting an increased Ambience score of 8). Again the pasta (blue swimmer crab) and gnocchi (rabbit ragu) were perfect. Champagne jelly for dessert was a little weird though!

Nov 22, 2011