adso

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  9     

I am always on the lookout for a great pie/bakery, and in the epping/eastwood/ north-ryde/macquarie-park area, the selections are absolutely terrible (literally inedible), well that was until I walked into this place about 12 months ago, and I am back at every possible opportunity I have. This will be a long review!

Pies: The plain mince pie is top class, I would recommend it to anyone, the potato and curry pies are also solid, but stay away from the Steak Pie, its done in a deeper dish and it goes soggy (though the filling is fine). The chicken pie isn't great either. Also, try to eat the pies at the shop if you can, they don't carry well, they are best eaten fresh.

Sausage Roll: Really unusual, its not 10/10 but it is outstanding, the pastry is awesome and crispy, filling is tasty too. Cakes: We have ordered full cakes and they are great, mud cake or flourless chocolate tort, which surprisingly is just as nice as a mud cake (who would have thought).

The only tip is if you buy a 'single slice' of cake from the counter, I think they take them from orders that people haven't picked up (I'm only guessing) and they aren't always fresh, so I usually eat the other desserts unless I really want cake.
Other desserts: The Custard and Strawberry tart is great, apple pie is yum, I mean they have dozens of desserts, they mix them up, and most of them are fantastic, though bad for the hips!

Other: They do biscuits and coffee and sandwiches, I haven't tried them though.
Service: Sometimes my wife says she has spent ages waiting for service, but I haven't seen it myself, its usually fine, it can get a little busy, but nothing crazy.
They recently changed their opening hours, which is much much better, but for a late-riser like me you still need to get there early for pies, about 12:30-1:15 pm is about the limit, much after that and the pies will be gone, they close at 2 pm on saturdays.

Location: If this bakery was in macquarie centre or near a major working area, it would be over-run with business, but where it is located is only accessible via car, and quite in the middle of nowhere, I walked past it many times before I even realised it was a bakery. Anyway, it suits me because I can drive my scooter up every saturday for lunch, or anytime I have a day off, but I feel for the chef, because I think his/her abilities are wasted with the lack of people that come in, but who knows, maybe they like it nice and quiet!

Aug 08, 2009

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Everyone thinks they know the best chinese restaraunt, but the Hong Kong is the real deal, the food is just outstanding, I could name half a dozen dishes that I would drool over, their fried rice is perfection, and the spicy salt and pepper prawns, oh my god. In 15 years of living around Sydney, I haven't found anywhere close, which makes me hate that its so far away (i.e. Newport). I'm never disappointed when I go back.

Note: It is a bit pricey, so don't go nuts when you order, but its worth every penny.

Aug 01, 2009

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  5     

I've lived in this area for years, and had AJ's about 5-6 times, but tonight was my first time eating in, and I agree that the service is 12/10, more than I would expect or need, especially the owner, but I think a lot of these high reviews are from people more excited about getting good service, and there should be more emphasis on the important bit, the food.

The food here tastes no better than any other indian restaraunt in Sydney, I mean its fine, but their food is very hit and miss. AJ's has won a lot of local awards, and to be honest I think its due to lack of competition (there are very few good restaurants in the area).

Aug 01, 2009

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  10     

Went there for the first time tonight, its very busy (no room to get to some of the tables), and the advise of going later is quite wise (or get take away/delivery). I still don't really understand how it works in terms of service, he came to us once to order, and I just kind of went to the counter if I wanted something, I 'think' thats how its supposed to work? More like a take away shop than a restaurant.

Pizza was very good, GBread was good too, everything is really cheap (thats a first for a restaurant thesedays), I'm keen to go back and try some more of their pizzas. The desserts are like a pre-packaged frozen thing, I thought it was mudcake but its actually gelato, but it was still quite tasty, and its not expensive or anything.

Its certainly not a big fancy pizza joint, but it really doesn't try to be! It feels very low-key, and we will be back.

Aug 01, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  2     

Entree - We got a loaf of freshly baked bread, highly recommend this

Main - I absolutely loved my steak, cooked just how I like it, nice cut, I got the Surf'n'Turf and the few prawns on it were pretty weak, but the steak made up for it, oh and the chips and sauce.

Some friends didn't love their steak, I think they got the wrong cut, and it was too dense for their tastes, there are a lot of choices for how your steak is done.

Dessert - I don't usually get dessert, but I tried the chocolate tray (forget the name), and it was delicious, had that master chef look and taste. Though it was $14..

Service - I read a guy complaining below, the reason they go around in a circle taking orders, is so a different attendant they can bring the dishes out and present them to you without asking who's dish is who's, I was at a lost working out at first, how the barman knew to give each of us the right drink (when he didn't even take the order)!

Price - This is the only let down, its a really expensive night out, and it is good quality, but too much for me to go back, I think we can find another steak-house with comparable steak (maybe not all the extras), but for a cheaper price.

Jul 26, 2009

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  9     

I am always on the lookout for a great pie/bakery, and in the epping/eastwood/ north-ryde/macquarie-park area, the selections are absolutely terrible (literally inedible), well that was until I walked into this place about 12 months ago, and I am back at every possible opportunity I have. This will be a long review!

Pies: The plain mince pie is top class, I would recommend it to anyone, the potato and curry pies are also solid, but stay away from the Steak Pie, its done in a deeper dish and it goes soggy (though the filling is fine). The chicken pie isn't great either. Also, try to eat the pies at the shop if you can, they don't carry well, they are best eaten fresh.

Sausage Roll: Really unusual, its not 10/10 but it is outstanding, the pastry is awesome and crispy, filling is tasty too. Cakes: We have ordered full cakes and they are great, mud cake or flourless chocolate tort, which surprisingly is just as nice as a mud cake (who would have thought).

The only tip is if you buy a 'single slice' of cake from the counter, I think they take them from orders that people haven't picked up (I'm only guessing) and they aren't always fresh, so I usually eat the other desserts unless I really want cake.
Other desserts: The Custard and Strawberry tart is great, apple pie is yum, I mean they have dozens of desserts, they mix them up, and most of them are fantastic, though bad for the hips!

Other: They do biscuits and coffee and sandwiches, I haven't tried them though.
Service: Sometimes my wife says she has spent ages waiting for service, but I haven't seen it myself, its usually fine, it can get a little busy, but nothing crazy.
They recently changed their opening hours, which is much much better, but for a late-riser like me you still need to get there early for pies, about 12:30-1:15 pm is about the limit, much after that and the pies will be gone, they close at 2 pm on saturdays.

Location: If this bakery was in macquarie centre or near a major working area, it would be over-run with business, but where it is located is only accessible via car, and quite in the middle of nowhere, I walked past it many times before I even realised it was a bakery. Anyway, it suits me because I can drive my scooter up every saturday for lunch, or anytime I have a day off, but I feel for the chef, because I think his/her abilities are wasted with the lack of people that come in, but who knows, maybe they like it nice and quiet!

Aug 08, 2009

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Everyone thinks they know the best chinese restaraunt, but the Hong Kong is the real deal, the food is just outstanding, I could name half a dozen dishes that I would drool over, their fried rice is perfection, and the spicy salt and pepper prawns, oh my god. In 15 years of living around Sydney, I haven't found anywhere close, which makes me hate that its so far away (i.e. Newport). I'm never disappointed when I go back.

Note: It is a bit pricey, so don't go nuts when you order, but its worth every penny.

Aug 01, 2009

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  5     

I've lived in this area for years, and had AJ's about 5-6 times, but tonight was my first time eating in, and I agree that the service is 12/10, more than I would expect or need, especially the owner, but I think a lot of these high reviews are from people more excited about getting good service, and there should be more emphasis on the important bit, the food.

The food here tastes no better than any other indian restaraunt in Sydney, I mean its fine, but their food is very hit and miss. AJ's has won a lot of local awards, and to be honest I think its due to lack of competition (there are very few good restaurants in the area).

Aug 01, 2009

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  10     

Went there for the first time tonight, its very busy (no room to get to some of the tables), and the advise of going later is quite wise (or get take away/delivery). I still don't really understand how it works in terms of service, he came to us once to order, and I just kind of went to the counter if I wanted something, I 'think' thats how its supposed to work? More like a take away shop than a restaurant.

Pizza was very good, GBread was good too, everything is really cheap (thats a first for a restaurant thesedays), I'm keen to go back and try some more of their pizzas. The desserts are like a pre-packaged frozen thing, I thought it was mudcake but its actually gelato, but it was still quite tasty, and its not expensive or anything.

Its certainly not a big fancy pizza joint, but it really doesn't try to be! It feels very low-key, and we will be back.

Aug 01, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  2     

Entree - We got a loaf of freshly baked bread, highly recommend this

Main - I absolutely loved my steak, cooked just how I like it, nice cut, I got the Surf'n'Turf and the few prawns on it were pretty weak, but the steak made up for it, oh and the chips and sauce.

Some friends didn't love their steak, I think they got the wrong cut, and it was too dense for their tastes, there are a lot of choices for how your steak is done.

Dessert - I don't usually get dessert, but I tried the chocolate tray (forget the name), and it was delicious, had that master chef look and taste. Though it was $14..

Service - I read a guy complaining below, the reason they go around in a circle taking orders, is so a different attendant they can bring the dishes out and present them to you without asking who's dish is who's, I was at a lost working out at first, how the barman knew to give each of us the right drink (when he didn't even take the order)!

Price - This is the only let down, its a really expensive night out, and it is good quality, but too much for me to go back, I think we can find another steak-house with comparable steak (maybe not all the extras), but for a cheaper price.

Jul 26, 2009

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  5     

Ah the Lowenbrau, I'm a member here actually, though I don't go too often anymore. It is a very unique place, and you have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it.

It must have taken me 3 or 4 visits, where I would cringe as the oompa oompa band would start, or there would be a drinking competition on stage, or the bells would go off as someone ordered a 1metre long row of apple schnapps, but one day when you have drunken many beers and are in a spirited moon, it all just fits into place, and you will be swinging your 1L stein, and loving the atmosphere.

Of course, if you actually want to talk to your friends, get in early, because once the band starts, that's the end of conversation.

They sell Franziskahner here, worlds best beer, get into it. The food is 'ok', same as my Bavarian review, veal schnitzel is great, pork schnitzel is ok but bit boring/big (its plate sized), if you like pork belly etc, there are meat platters, and they will try and sell you baked pretzels.

Basically, if you want a good time with friends, bucks nights or birthdays etc, where you are celebrating, then go for it, but only if your in the right frame of mind!

Jul 26, 2009

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  4     

Great place, it is an offshoot of the Lowenbrau chain, but is meant for a younger (less touristy) crowd, so it has younger music on, and no oompa oompa band. More importantly it sells Franziskhaner beer (which is pure awesome), and although it is a little expensive, it is a big beer (0.5 or 1.0L), and is totally worth it, esp at happy hour.

Anyway food wise, it's ok, I mean the various schnitzels are good, veal is the best, pork is big but not as nice. I'm never really disappointed by the food, but I wouldn't go there unless I wanted the beer, you can eat better food for that price.

If your eating, its usually easy enough to get a table (Fri night is the only really busy night), and table service isn't bad (bar service isn't good). The waitresses show a lot of cleavage, which is a bonus I'm sure, it's the only bar I really go too anymore.

Jul 26, 2009

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  8     

My favorite Italian restaurant. It has a beautiful view of the city, and a great vibe with the timber finishes everywhere, plenty of tables & I don't know, but I've always felt welcome there (in my t-shirt/jeans), its not pretentious even though its in such an amazing location.

But anyway, more importantly is the food, and its very good, some of my friends have had not-great experiences there, but again I think it was what they ordered. I've been many times, and my staple now is the Leo Pizza, its kind of like a ham supreme, but with 6 king prawns (1 per slice), and my god, its one of my fave pizzas in Sydney.

I don't usually go for pasta, its decent enough, but I usually eat their pizza. Anyway, were usually in and out fast, and always been very happy, you can wander around and get a drink or dessert too since its in the CBD, and the prices are maybe fractionally high, but they could be charging an awful lot more with the location.

Jul 26, 2009

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  6     

I used to live 30 seconds from this place, so I used it for take-out on Friday/Saturday nights, and its 'edible', but I have friends and family who just love the place, and I don't understand why at all. Their pastas are mediocre, their pizza is mediocre, some of it is throw-in-bin material, I end up going for simple pizzas like Hawaiian, because there's less room for error.

Jul 26, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

You need to experiment with Allegria to find the best pizza, because there is a lot of choice, and they dont all 'work'.

Their pizza bases have a unique flavor, and the guys take their pizza seriously, but that being said its far from my fave pizza place, its just that there is nothing else in the ryde/eastwood area.. and there are some good enough pizzas if you experiment.

The guys behind the counter are funny guys, great hosts, I never had any problem with the service when we have gone, and the food overall isn't spectacular, the pasta is ok but I mean I think their pizza is better than their pasta.

If your a local, definitely try them out, but I wouldn't come from afar.

Jul 26, 2009