bron_too

Reviews

Restaurants, Middle Eastern, Citibank Dining Program, American Express, Parking Station

Overall 6.2 52

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 9

I've been here twice in the last month and am very surprised to read the reviews below.

The restaurant is in La Piazza at Top Ryde. This is a specific "eat street" environment. Kazbah is enticing and the decor is interesting and buzzy. On both occasions, we ordered a variety of their tapas type dishes. 2 people ordered 4, 3 people ordered 6 and this was perfect quantity.

The food was aromatic and tasty. I thought the soft shelled crab was delightful, the cauliflower was over-generous serving and delicately flavoured. The prawn dish was "interesting" - the only dish that I wouldn't order a second time, there was nothing wrong with it, just not to my taste. The meat parcels were fabulous. All of us enjoyed and raved about the meal.

In my first visit, I felt the service was too quick. In the subsequent one, we were there prior to a movie, so the service was quick, but not rushed. The wait staff on both occasions were friendly and helpful.

I didn't find the meal expensive, but neither was it "cheap and cheerful". Am going back again.

Nov 02, 2011

Saveur, Roseville

Restaurants, European, French, Modern Australian, Modern European

Overall 7.8 39

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 10

We bought a Spreets deal, which involved the 5 course degustation. The "deal" degustation was the same as the degustation in the main menu (something that isn't always the case). We received more than was advertised (this included a small appetiser, tea/coffee, bread and bottled water). The included bottle of wine was acceptable.

The food was fabulous. Beautifully presented, and well cooked. The slow roasted beef was wonderfully tender and rare. We enjoyed every mouthful, but I couldn't finish the dessert! The restaurant is in an old house. We had a table by the (gas) fire, and it was lovely. The tables are well separated. The wait staff were friendly and helpful.

This was the best meal from a Spreets deal that I've had. I would certainly go back to this restaurant, and happily pay their normal menu prices.

Jun 16, 2011

Homaru, Newington

Restaurants, Japanese

Overall 8 8

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 9

We have been to this restaurant about half a dozen times since it opened. I'm pleased to see that the clientele is building. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. I regularly have the sashimi bento box which is a massive serving that I can't get through. Everyone else has also commented favourably on the food. The service is fast, friendly and attentive.

Jun 06, 2011

Bacar, Sydney Olympic Park

Restaurants, International, Modern Australian, Vegetarian, Fine Dining

Overall 6.4 31

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

We went to Bacar for a girls' lunch. I had noted on the website that there was a 3 course for $50 special, however, there was no evidence of this at the restaurant. We went with the flow and sat down to the 3 course experience.

Our starters were spectacular. Presentation was beautiful. I had the mud crab martini which was delightful and my friends were all impressed with their selection. Our mains were great and we all enjoyed the chocolate fondant for dessert (although I felt the caramel was just a touch over the top!)

The menu was interesting and varied, showing significant thought. Each dish was an interesting combination of flavours and textures. The food was all cooked very well. Presentation was beautiful, some dishes it seemed a shame to destroy the art that was on the plate by eating it. Service was good and the restaurant environs were pleasant and quiet.

Our major criticism was the height of the tables and chairs. The chairs were too low and we had our elbows at shoulder level to use our cutlery, this was exacerbated with the mains that were served in beautiful bowls, but these meant we had to elevate our arms another 10 cm to access the food. We mentioned this to the wait staff, who said that they had many complaints about this. Fixing this is a necessity!

I think this is a fine dining establishment in this area that should be strongly recommended. (Just wish they'd fix the chairs!).

Response from Management:
Dear Bron_too

Thank you very much for your review on the great food and service you received at Bacar, it’s always a pleasure to get such great feedback. I will be sure to pass on your comments to the chef and his team. We are looking at the situation with the tables and chairs, and we are trying to work out a way to rectify the problem.

Kind regards
Jon Cannon
Restaurant and Bar Manager

Oct 07, 2010

Ortolan On Bayswater Fine Dining, The, Potts Point

Restaurants, French, Fine Dining, Good for Business Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 8.2 150

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 9

We went last night for my birthday. We were a table of five, seated upstairs inside. A larger group than ours was seated on the enclosed balcony. This was private for them and suitable for the rest of us as they didn't disturb us.

We selected the degustation menu. Wow 10 courses! And these were truly beautifully presented taste sensations. Each serving was generous, and I was running out of steam by the end. The ocean trout tartare was a standout, as was the venison and the pork. The cheese course was something unusual and presented with style.

Our creme brûlées were aflame and mine came with a chocolate happy birthday on the plate. All up, a lovely meal. Wine list was good. We tried some new and interesting wines and we had choices $40 upwards. The service was friendly and helpful.

The degustation is $120 per head and we felt it to be very good value for the quality and quantity of the food and the attention to detail in the presentation. This was the best meal that I've had in quite some time.

Jul 24, 2010

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Member since 2007

Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 17 reviews

Kazbah, Ryde

Restaurants, Middle Eastern, Citibank Dining Program, American Express, Parking Station

Overall 6.2 52

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 9

Nov 02, 2011

Saveur, Roseville

Restaurants, European, French, Modern Australian, Modern European

Overall 7.8 39

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 10

Jun 16, 2011

Homaru, Newington

Restaurants, Japanese

Overall 8 8

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 9

Jun 06, 2011

Bacar, Sydney Olympic Park

Restaurants, International, Modern Australian, Vegetarian, Fine Dining

Overall 6.4 31

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

Oct 07, 2010

Ortolan On Bayswater Fine Dining, The, Potts Point

Restaurants, French, Fine Dining, Good for Business Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 8.2 150

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 9

Jul 24, 2010

Boulevard Brasserie & Bar, Sydney Olympic Park

Restaurants, International, Modern Australian, Fine Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 5.9 3

5.5 Average

Food 5 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 5

Delighted to have a new restaurant in SOP, we booked for a girls night. Throughout the night service was either off or on. We were promptly asked for our food order, but not for our drinks order.

Our entrees (steak tartare, french onion soup and a goats cheese salad) were pretty good. My friend particularly loved the soup. But we weren't offered cracked pepper, and the salt/pepper shakers on the table didn't really do the job (I need salt and pepper on my tomato!).

The mains were a disaster. We all ordered fish. My flathead fillets were a touch overdone, but they survived. My friends both ordered the same dish (flake) and it was awful. When the waiter cleared the table, they both said how bad it was, tough and bony. There was an apology but no action.

Later we were offered some coffees on the house, but we didn't want coffee. We finished with a pretty uninspired cheese plate, cheddar, goats cheese. Had the food been good, the price would have made us smile. But the food wasn't good and the service was quite average, we had to wave staff down on several occasions.

Response from Management:
Dear bron_too,

Thank you for taking the time to comment about your experience at Boulevard Brasserie & Bar. I apologise that your experience was not up to your expectations. I have passed on your comments to our chef and the restaurant team to ensure steps are taken to rectify the problems with the food and service quality.

Warm Regards
Garth Simmons,
Regional General Manager NSW/ACT

Mar 06, 2010

Showchef Teppanyaki, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Asian, Japanese, Seafood, Steak House

Overall 7.4 67

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

7.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 10

Went on a wednesday night for a birthday. We ordered one of the set menus and took advantage of the free lobster offered on this site. The lobster was cooked really well (more tender than I had a few days later at a more up market restaurant). The rest of the food was good, but I wouldn't say spectacular. (But the price isn't spectacular either).

The restaurant is small and there are only two plates. It was well attended, but not over the top the night that we were there. The restaurant is BYO with a bottle shop conveniently located a couple of doors down.

Overall a pleasant night, the chef was personable (important for teppanyaki) and very good value. For 5 of us, the set menu + upgrade to wagyu beef + included free lobster + corkage + tip was $200. We didn't take the cheapest set menu either!

Oct 27, 2009

At Bangkok, Haymarket

Restaurants, Thai, Restaurant Bookings, American Express

Overall 6.9 30

7 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

Ate here twice last week. The first time was with a colleague before a seminar and we had two starters, the soft shelled crab with apple salad and crispy calamari. Both were great, freshly cooked, lovely taste and promptly delivered.

The second time was pre-show, and on a saturday night. I had booked after the first time. Luckily there were 3 of us, so we had a table against the wall which meant chairs, rather than the boxes people in the centre of the restaurant get. I would imagine that this would detract from the meal.

We ordered the soft shelled crab again, but the dish was completely different. This was chilli with crab. The menu indicated which dishes had chilli. This one had no mention of chilli, and had barely a hint when I was there previously. The crab, and more importantly the delicate salad, were completely destroyed.

The spring rolls were ok, but interestingly were meat rather than vegetarian. We also ordered the deep fried schnapper. This was nice too, although a touch overdone for me. But the flavours were lovely. We also had a beef dish. Had we not had the overwhelming chilli it would have been a lovely night. I like the buzz of the restaurant, but have marked down ambience as there isn't a score for comfort, those non-chairs would have been a killer.

Oct 27, 2009

Angelo's On The Bay, Cabarita

Restaurants, International, Seafood, Serves Dinner, Serves Lunch

Overall 7.6 62

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6 Average

Food 6 Ambience 6 Service 6 Value 6

Went there on a saturday night. There was a private function in the main part of the restaurant and we were on the balcony (told about this when we booked). Unfortunately, the parents of the brats who attended the party couldn't control their children who turned the balcony into Randwick racecourse. When we asked the staff to do something about this, they said that they had asked the parents three times to do something. All they had to do was keep them in the main room and leave the rest of us in peace.

So, when you're paying reasonable $$, you don't want to deal with brats who should have been left at home! Use a babysitter. You may think that it's cute, the rest of us don't.

Anyway, the service was less than average, on account of the focus on the party. I don't want to pay normal prices for less than average service. If you take a big party, then hire more staff.

Food was competent, but nothing more than a good home cook could do. Not worth the $$.

Dec 09, 2008

Cucina Viscontini, Homebush Bay

Restaurants, Cafes, Beverage Bar, European, Italian

Overall 5.2 51

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 9

We have been living at the Waterfront since April and have regularly eaten at Cucina Visconti for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have also purchased their deli food and had a picnic lunch.

The breakfasts are fresh and well cooked. Coffee is great and juices are freshly made. My favourite dish is poached eggs with asparagus and burnt butter. Lunch and dinner has the same menu. The pastas are great, the specials change regularly (at least weekly if not more often) and the type of pasta is always different.

The pasta is made on the premises and is the best pasta I've had. I think this is generally the best menu choice. I've had well cooked steak (my preference is rare). The prawns have been spectacular and my father thinks it's the best calamari fritti he's ever had.

Desserts are from a display counter and the chocolate raspberry cakes are grand!
Service can be a little hit and miss. It has improved significantly over what it was a few months ago. Staff are also more friendly. I'm not sure whether this is because they know us, or have responded to feedback.

I like that the wine is selected from the bottle shop (part of the overall establishment). They do a markup of either 20 or 30% (I can't remember). This is just fine. The end result is a very good bottle of wine for less than $30 and a much wider selection because you've got all the wine in the bottle shop to choose from. In most restaurants you get very cheap and maybe not-so-cheerful wine for $30 as this is typically below the starting price.

The deli foods are very good. The proscuitto (3 types) is soft and moist, a dramatic difference to anything you can buy in a supermarket deli. There are often little taste sensations that you can take home and cook up.

The bread is baked on the premises and just fabulous. If you drop by before 10 am to buy it, it's still warm and delightful. Despite my avoidance of carbs generally, this place just knocks my resolve out on this count!

We took the picnic option once, $20/head and got a cheese plate, antipasto plate, cold meat plate (including that beautiful proscuitto), bread, dips, fruit salad and more. It did us for lunch and dinner with more left over.

Cucina and Concerto are chalk and cheese. The food is a dramatic difference. It's a touch more expensive, but not much, which is reflected in the quality of the food. The downside to Cucina is that it's a bustling, casual environment rather than a quieter area more like a restaurant/bar.