Andrew K.

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  3     

I’ve been to L’Incontro twice over the past twelve months and both experiences were eerily similar.

On the positive side, I love the ambience of the old world mansion with its small and intimate dining rooms. It’s like something out of the Italian countryside. It’s downhill from here.

The biggest problem is the service. Twice we were served by a young European (presumably Italian) waitress who just didn’t speak English very well. She failed to understand us on several occasions, and when it comes to asking anything even slightly out of ordinary, she just didn’t understand.

Forget about asking any questions about the menu or even a simple wine recommendation. She basically couldn’t speak English. Although this may be quaint if we really were in the Italian country-side, it’s just not good enough for a Sydney restaurant that charges upwards of $32 for a main.

I can summarise every dish I (and my dining partners) have had here the food in 5 words: “quite nice but not amazing”. I’ve yet to have a dish that seemed worth the asking price.

I can finish by saying, perhaps, we are unlucky (twice). On my second visit I did notice one of the waitresses seemed lovely, and really engaged with the customers she was serving. And I also noticed some of the seafood options coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good.

Aug 26, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

Walking into Bloodwood at 7:15 pm on a Saturday night one does not expect to be seated straight away. But we were lucky and one of the small bar tables at the front had just become available, so we grab it with both arms. Although much smaller than one of the tables out the back, there was still plenty of room. I had heard a lot of good things about Bloodwood and it turns out most of them seem to be true!

The service was wonderful and really friendly. The food is a tapas style, but the servings are substantial, so after 3 dishes we were quite full. The pork and prawn roll was the highlight, but the chick pea pancakes and the beef brisket were both also very good. We were in a rush so did not get to try the desserts which was a shame as they looked wonderful passing by our table.

Another positive is the drink prices, $7 for a Bombay Saphire and Tonic is cheaper than at most bars. This place is popular for a reason and I look forward to going back soon and trying out the rest of the menu.

Jul 26, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Blu Ginger has a few branches in Sydney, this one is located in the pleasant little village of McMahons Point. It seems to do a roaring trade in take-away and dine-in which is always a good sign. First to arrive is a pleasant plate of mixed entrees including Onion Bhajia and Chicken Tikka, both are gorgeous and the highlights of the meal. Also included in the entrée plate was a lamb Seekh Kebab which was less exciting.

Mains were a Panjim Fish Curry which was so orange I suspect it might glow in the dark, and an Almond Pumpkin Lamb. Both were pleasant and good quality Indian dishes, but what can’t be overlooked is that I did not finish either, and as a big eater this rarely happens. Perhaps, after the marvellous entrees the ‘still-good’ mains couldn’t compete. Maybe I was getting full. I’m unsure. Next up dessert.

The interesting option of ‘Gulab Jamun’ (cottage cheese dumpling in honey syrup) was a gamble that didn’t pay off - yuck. The Mango Kulfi on the other hand, yum, one of the nicest kulfis I have had this year, and I am not normally a fan of the stuff. Service was friendly, although with just one waitress things slowed down as the room filled up.

Jul 26, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  6     

Went to Mission recently and it was a bit of a mixed bag. On the positive, I love the ambience, having dinner in the middle of an art gallery is a unique experience and this part of the evening I really enjoyed. Some of the dishes were wonderful, especially the tuna ceviche entrée. The crème brulée dessert served in a cappuccino mug was unique and enjoyable. It looked exactly like a cup of coffee!

Service was mixed, sometimes friendly, but often a little terse. Questions regarding the menu received a slightly arrogant response, restaurant staff should remember that not everyone knows all the 'cooking techniques' that can appear on a menu.

The steak was a big letdown. It went largely uneaten, and to the restaurant’s credit, we were provided a complimentary dessert. This impressed me, as many restaurants would have simply tried to sweep it under the rug. But this kind gesture was not enough to make up for a somewhat ordinary dining experience.

Jul 26, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  5      Value  9     

Bennelong is a top notch restaurant and is worthy of its esteemed reputation. I think given the prices and reputation, some people have unrealistic expectations of what to expect, and are naturally disappointed. The food is universally wonderful. Recommend the starter of crab and artichoke, the beef fillet with English mustard emulsion and the passionfruit soufflé. All were spectacular creations, as good or better than anything I have eaten at other 2-3 hat restaurants in Sydney. What I especially loved was the little mini-courses they bring out, including a tuna tartar before the entrée, and a strawberry pannacotta after the main. Now… let’s talk about the service which was the weakest part of the dinner. The staff seemed arrogant, stuffy and lacking in warmth. Although full marks to the sommelier who didn’t flinch when I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu. Another gripe – and I notice this mentioned somewhere below – what is up with the hand prints all over the window? Really detracted from the view.

Jul 21, 2011

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  3     

I’ve been to L’Incontro twice over the past twelve months and both experiences were eerily similar.

On the positive side, I love the ambience of the old world mansion with its small and intimate dining rooms. It’s like something out of the Italian countryside. It’s downhill from here.

The biggest problem is the service. Twice we were served by a young European (presumably Italian) waitress who just didn’t speak English very well. She failed to understand us on several occasions, and when it comes to asking anything even slightly out of ordinary, she just didn’t understand.

Forget about asking any questions about the menu or even a simple wine recommendation. She basically couldn’t speak English. Although this may be quaint if we really were in the Italian country-side, it’s just not good enough for a Sydney restaurant that charges upwards of $32 for a main.

I can summarise every dish I (and my dining partners) have had here the food in 5 words: “quite nice but not amazing”. I’ve yet to have a dish that seemed worth the asking price.

I can finish by saying, perhaps, we are unlucky (twice). On my second visit I did notice one of the waitresses seemed lovely, and really engaged with the customers she was serving. And I also noticed some of the seafood options coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good.

Aug 26, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

Walking into Bloodwood at 7:15 pm on a Saturday night one does not expect to be seated straight away. But we were lucky and one of the small bar tables at the front had just become available, so we grab it with both arms. Although much smaller than one of the tables out the back, there was still plenty of room. I had heard a lot of good things about Bloodwood and it turns out most of them seem to be true!

The service was wonderful and really friendly. The food is a tapas style, but the servings are substantial, so after 3 dishes we were quite full. The pork and prawn roll was the highlight, but the chick pea pancakes and the beef brisket were both also very good. We were in a rush so did not get to try the desserts which was a shame as they looked wonderful passing by our table.

Another positive is the drink prices, $7 for a Bombay Saphire and Tonic is cheaper than at most bars. This place is popular for a reason and I look forward to going back soon and trying out the rest of the menu.

Jul 26, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Blu Ginger has a few branches in Sydney, this one is located in the pleasant little village of McMahons Point. It seems to do a roaring trade in take-away and dine-in which is always a good sign. First to arrive is a pleasant plate of mixed entrees including Onion Bhajia and Chicken Tikka, both are gorgeous and the highlights of the meal. Also included in the entrée plate was a lamb Seekh Kebab which was less exciting.

Mains were a Panjim Fish Curry which was so orange I suspect it might glow in the dark, and an Almond Pumpkin Lamb. Both were pleasant and good quality Indian dishes, but what can’t be overlooked is that I did not finish either, and as a big eater this rarely happens. Perhaps, after the marvellous entrees the ‘still-good’ mains couldn’t compete. Maybe I was getting full. I’m unsure. Next up dessert.

The interesting option of ‘Gulab Jamun’ (cottage cheese dumpling in honey syrup) was a gamble that didn’t pay off - yuck. The Mango Kulfi on the other hand, yum, one of the nicest kulfis I have had this year, and I am not normally a fan of the stuff. Service was friendly, although with just one waitress things slowed down as the room filled up.

Jul 26, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  6     

Went to Mission recently and it was a bit of a mixed bag. On the positive, I love the ambience, having dinner in the middle of an art gallery is a unique experience and this part of the evening I really enjoyed. Some of the dishes were wonderful, especially the tuna ceviche entrée. The crème brulée dessert served in a cappuccino mug was unique and enjoyable. It looked exactly like a cup of coffee!

Service was mixed, sometimes friendly, but often a little terse. Questions regarding the menu received a slightly arrogant response, restaurant staff should remember that not everyone knows all the 'cooking techniques' that can appear on a menu.

The steak was a big letdown. It went largely uneaten, and to the restaurant’s credit, we were provided a complimentary dessert. This impressed me, as many restaurants would have simply tried to sweep it under the rug. But this kind gesture was not enough to make up for a somewhat ordinary dining experience.

Jul 26, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  5      Value  9     

Bennelong is a top notch restaurant and is worthy of its esteemed reputation. I think given the prices and reputation, some people have unrealistic expectations of what to expect, and are naturally disappointed. The food is universally wonderful. Recommend the starter of crab and artichoke, the beef fillet with English mustard emulsion and the passionfruit soufflé. All were spectacular creations, as good or better than anything I have eaten at other 2-3 hat restaurants in Sydney. What I especially loved was the little mini-courses they bring out, including a tuna tartar before the entrée, and a strawberry pannacotta after the main. Now… let’s talk about the service which was the weakest part of the dinner. The staff seemed arrogant, stuffy and lacking in warmth. Although full marks to the sommelier who didn’t flinch when I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu. Another gripe – and I notice this mentioned somewhere below – what is up with the hand prints all over the window? Really detracted from the view.

Jul 21, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.8 Average

Drinks  8      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  5     

Went to Felix on a rainy Wednesday night, and was unimpressed. The room is so noisy you cannot hear someone seated directly in front of you. The service is very inattentive: our water glass was not refilled once in about 2 hours(!), empty plates sat on the table for 10 minutes after eating etc.

The staff are not particularly friendly, probably because their customers can hardly hear them over the raucous environment and they gave up chatter a long time ago. There are some positives. It is a beautifully decorated restaurant, everything screams quality, I loved the tiled floor. The lamb pie, while not a large serving, was enclosed with some of the most delicious pastry known to man.

The garlic mash as a side is fantastic and is an essential addition to the pie. The buttermilk pudding with summer fruits was a very good finish to the meal, although again, the serving was small.

Jul 21, 2011

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

I had high expectations of Bistro Bruno based on the reviews here. The service is spot on – genuinely friendly, not the pretentious stuff. The food is amazing. Pork belly for starter was delicious. Duck for main was wonderful, and I am a normally bit fussy with duck. Dessert the star anise brulee with ginger ice cream was divine. I also tried the chocolate mousse - nice, but not in the same league as the brulee. Price wise, it is good value considering the quality. Only negative is the website menu is not up to date – it’s not that hard to keep a current menu on your website guys, uploading a menu takes all of 5 minutes. But in all, one of the best dining experiences of the year for me. Can’t wait to go back.

Jun 05, 2011

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Reasonably impressed with lunch at Hugos the other day. The kingfish pizza was the winner, very interesting, and I loved it, but not the type of thing you would want to eat every day. The chilli prawn pizza was good, but less interesting. I will order just the more interesting pizzas if I come back, I particularly want to try the asparagus one next time.

The fit out is very pleasant with great views out over the water. If you are a twosome expect to be seated at one of the window-sills. My personal view is these are too tight if the booth next to you is also occupied, so try for a normal table. The service was efficient and ‘textbook perfect’ but, perhaps, lacked a little warmth.

May 30, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  9     

Mighty impressed with this place. Service spot-on, friendly and efficient. Full marks for the garlic bread, and the veal parmigiana is divine. Desserts were good, although the special of profiteroles was not quite as good as I’d hoped. Very reasonable prices as well. My only small gripe was it was very hot in the dining room. I am new to dining in this area and so far am very impressed (also love Elysium). Can’t wait to come back to Pinocchio’s and eat more of that delicious veal.

May 27, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  10     

I visited Holy Cow largely on the basis of some of the reviews here. This is no doubt a very good Indian restaurant. The service from the senior waiter/owner is very good, a really nice man. The food is way above average, but I would not say it is the best Indian I have had in Sydney. The vegetable samosas are divine although, perhaps, it is the gorgeous mint dipping sauce that I was in love with.

For mains the lamb rogan josh was excellent. Our meal was let down by the Goan Fish Curry. While it was nice, the fish was a little overcooked, and it was far too spicy. I am no stranger to spice but this was too much. The room is small and gets very noisy when the restaurant is full. Note, they do not take bookings. Price-wise Holy Cow is a bargain, much cheaper than most Indian restaurants in Sydney. And BYO with no corkage is an added bonus.

So, overall, this is certainly a great Indian restaurant, and if you are in the area I’d definitely recommend a visit.

May 27, 2011