Warisu

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  6     

Dropped in for dinner with my wife and kids the other night. Having managed pizza shops in my early days I am particularly fussy when it comes to pizza, normally the independent pizzerias produce a better product than the 'plastic-tasting' chains, however, not this time.

Ordered a garlic bread and family sized pizza for dine-in. The garlic bread arrived 20 minutes after placing the order, pretty much right before the pizza. Several staff were milling around the back of the kitchen (approx 4), and between the guy on the counter and the (senior staff?) kitchen staff, the whole place seemed rather disorganised. The pizza itself was let down by the extremely thin and soggy base, and there was definitely too much garlic on the topping.

Thought I'd politely offer the guy some 'professional' feedback after our meal, his arrogance and know-it-all attitude whilst not completely unexpected faded into insignificance once he explained that all the pizza dough is prepared the night before (which would explain exactly why the dough did not rise). As for the garlic bread entree not arriving for 20 minutes, not worth even trying to understand.

Between 5 and 10 years ago, this shop (under different management) always produced enjoyable pizza. Sadly, such is no longer the case. You'd be better off at Domino's down the road.

Message for shop owner - if you're not prepared to use freshly prepared ingredients, then you shouldn't be wasting time trying to make and sell pizza. Get to work an hour or so earlier, make a fresh dough and I'm sure you'll see the results.

Jul 11, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Sadly what was once an institution in Pennant Hills for many years has been relegated to just another average pizza shop.

The pizza dough has no flavour, they may as well be using edible cardboard if such were available. The addition of more salt and oil would easily improve the dough. Toppings are generous and do taste fresh (credit where it's due), but they run out of certain ingredients every now and then. This happened again last night (2nd time in as many months), and we were not informed until 15 minutes after placing the order. Clearly the senior staff has not mastered the skill of stock control (ie. keeping an eye on stock and always having a reasonable reserve).

The fact they have so many varieties and range of toppings would not help either in this regard. Another Big tip for the senior staff is when you do inconvenience a customer (eg. running out of stock and advising 15 minutes later), do something simple to regain their custom and salvage the situation, eg. offer a complimentary garlic bread, doesn't cost much, and could easily turn a situation around.

Let's hope the owner actually reads this review and takes notice. Running a pizza shop is a lot of work, many don't realise the hours involved, sourcing and preparing ingredients prior to actually opening the doors. Until they lift their game, drive another 2 minutes down Pennant Hills road and try Cristina's, they tick all the boxes, every time.

Response from Management:
Sorry to hear we ran out of an ingredient, unfortunately we are very busy and as things are fresh we do not over stock therefore we cannot predict the taste buds of our customers as they vary .... So we do apologise and hope to see you soon as we have a new pasta meun which is also freshly cooked not microwaved something that Christina might not have..... :-)

May 28, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  6     

Took the kids here for dinner recently. All of the 3 curries ordered were hotter than we requested (ok for adults, not so for 5 y/o's), onion bhaji very tasty, palak paneer excellent, beef in the korma was tough, butter chicken quite good (but we have had better at another restaurant nearby). Disappointed we were not offered poppadums to start with (kids always appreciate those to nibble on).

Service average, owner/host not very polite, no comment, even after I mentioned we enjoyed the food! Rules regarding take-home 'leftovers' seem very dictatorial (although I do believe in not taking leftovers home due to health risks associated with temperature drop). Overall ok, but they need to lift their service levels. Lighting also too bright.

Apr 29, 2010

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  4     

Went to Alice's for an early dinner without a reservation. Despite the fact the restaurant was only 1/3 full was told we would have to be in and out within the hour, to which I indicated this wouldn't be a problem provided the food is served without any great delay. "Only takes 5 minutes to cook ..." was the waitress's response, our last dish arrived approx 40 minutes after ordering, despite our request for all the food to arrive around the same time.

Seated at what was obviously the wrong table, asked to move to another table 5 minutes later. The food, whilst quite tasty, definitely overpriced. On proceeding to pay the bill at the counter, was asked whether we had a reservation or what we'd like to order (presumably for takeaway). Expressed my overall dissatisfaction with the service to the senior staff, however, she claimed she had only just arrived for the evening and wasn't around when we arrived, can only assume she was confused as clearly she was behind the counter when we arrived over 1 hour earlier!

This senior staff needs to take a more active role in managing her staff and/or hosting her customers, not leaving such to obviously inexperienced and rude juniors with absolutely no idea of customer service. Good service doesn't cost much, but bad service can cost plenty.

Oct 30, 2009

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  6     

Dropped in for dinner with my wife and kids the other night. Having managed pizza shops in my early days I am particularly fussy when it comes to pizza, normally the independent pizzerias produce a better product than the 'plastic-tasting' chains, however, not this time.

Ordered a garlic bread and family sized pizza for dine-in. The garlic bread arrived 20 minutes after placing the order, pretty much right before the pizza. Several staff were milling around the back of the kitchen (approx 4), and between the guy on the counter and the (senior staff?) kitchen staff, the whole place seemed rather disorganised. The pizza itself was let down by the extremely thin and soggy base, and there was definitely too much garlic on the topping.

Thought I'd politely offer the guy some 'professional' feedback after our meal, his arrogance and know-it-all attitude whilst not completely unexpected faded into insignificance once he explained that all the pizza dough is prepared the night before (which would explain exactly why the dough did not rise). As for the garlic bread entree not arriving for 20 minutes, not worth even trying to understand.

Between 5 and 10 years ago, this shop (under different management) always produced enjoyable pizza. Sadly, such is no longer the case. You'd be better off at Domino's down the road.

Message for shop owner - if you're not prepared to use freshly prepared ingredients, then you shouldn't be wasting time trying to make and sell pizza. Get to work an hour or so earlier, make a fresh dough and I'm sure you'll see the results.

Jul 11, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Sadly what was once an institution in Pennant Hills for many years has been relegated to just another average pizza shop.

The pizza dough has no flavour, they may as well be using edible cardboard if such were available. The addition of more salt and oil would easily improve the dough. Toppings are generous and do taste fresh (credit where it's due), but they run out of certain ingredients every now and then. This happened again last night (2nd time in as many months), and we were not informed until 15 minutes after placing the order. Clearly the senior staff has not mastered the skill of stock control (ie. keeping an eye on stock and always having a reasonable reserve).

The fact they have so many varieties and range of toppings would not help either in this regard. Another Big tip for the senior staff is when you do inconvenience a customer (eg. running out of stock and advising 15 minutes later), do something simple to regain their custom and salvage the situation, eg. offer a complimentary garlic bread, doesn't cost much, and could easily turn a situation around.

Let's hope the owner actually reads this review and takes notice. Running a pizza shop is a lot of work, many don't realise the hours involved, sourcing and preparing ingredients prior to actually opening the doors. Until they lift their game, drive another 2 minutes down Pennant Hills road and try Cristina's, they tick all the boxes, every time.

Response from Management:
Sorry to hear we ran out of an ingredient, unfortunately we are very busy and as things are fresh we do not over stock therefore we cannot predict the taste buds of our customers as they vary .... So we do apologise and hope to see you soon as we have a new pasta meun which is also freshly cooked not microwaved something that Christina might not have..... :-)

May 28, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  6     

Took the kids here for dinner recently. All of the 3 curries ordered were hotter than we requested (ok for adults, not so for 5 y/o's), onion bhaji very tasty, palak paneer excellent, beef in the korma was tough, butter chicken quite good (but we have had better at another restaurant nearby). Disappointed we were not offered poppadums to start with (kids always appreciate those to nibble on).

Service average, owner/host not very polite, no comment, even after I mentioned we enjoyed the food! Rules regarding take-home 'leftovers' seem very dictatorial (although I do believe in not taking leftovers home due to health risks associated with temperature drop). Overall ok, but they need to lift their service levels. Lighting also too bright.

Apr 29, 2010

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  4     

Went to Alice's for an early dinner without a reservation. Despite the fact the restaurant was only 1/3 full was told we would have to be in and out within the hour, to which I indicated this wouldn't be a problem provided the food is served without any great delay. "Only takes 5 minutes to cook ..." was the waitress's response, our last dish arrived approx 40 minutes after ordering, despite our request for all the food to arrive around the same time.

Seated at what was obviously the wrong table, asked to move to another table 5 minutes later. The food, whilst quite tasty, definitely overpriced. On proceeding to pay the bill at the counter, was asked whether we had a reservation or what we'd like to order (presumably for takeaway). Expressed my overall dissatisfaction with the service to the senior staff, however, she claimed she had only just arrived for the evening and wasn't around when we arrived, can only assume she was confused as clearly she was behind the counter when we arrived over 1 hour earlier!

This senior staff needs to take a more active role in managing her staff and/or hosting her customers, not leaving such to obviously inexperienced and rude juniors with absolutely no idea of customer service. Good service doesn't cost much, but bad service can cost plenty.

Oct 30, 2009