doctortrish

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

I can't believe this restaurant could be so bad. We dropped in for a quick lunch before going to the movies. I had a chicken toasted sandwich, the cook must have stood back a long way to throw on the chicken. My friend ordered the trio of dips that tasted as if they had come from Coles served with toast. Her rocket salad was...well, there's not much you can do to a rocket salad.

I ordered a glass of pinot gris but as there wasn't any, the waiter brought me a little bottle of sparkling pinot gris/ chardonnay! No, not the same. My friend asked for a bottle of still mineral water but received sparkling. When she complained, the waiter said, "What've I done wrong now?" and then, "You said Sparkling!"

When the bill arrived, I had been charged $19.90 for the sandwich instead of $11.90 as stated in the menu. By the time this was sorted, we were almost late for the movies. Did I mention the noise from the kitchen and the loud rock/rap music? Now we've got Fernandos out of the way, we'll never have to wonder "I wonder what it's like?" because we won't be going back.

Mar 27, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Drinks  4      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

What a miserable experience! This restaurant reminded me of a motel, where you decide to stay in and eat because the weather is too wet to go out. The standard is about the same. Because there was no vegetarian option, my friend asked if the prosciutto could be removed from the pasta dish. The result was tasteless but she thought it could have been livened up with some parmesan. Didn't have any.

My slow-coooked lamb was barely warm and I had to ask for the accompanying glass of shiraz. The bill took ages to arrive mainly because the waitress was engaged in a chat with a patron at the bar. Her "See you again" farewell brought forth the response, "Not likely". And I suppose they'll wonder why the business flops.

Mar 05, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

This was our second visit and we were not disappointed. Although there was no vegetarian option on the menu, a pea risotto with a dear little quail egg on the top was made for my veggie friend with no fuss. I had the Hapuki fish with the same risotto and it was done to perfection. We finished with a beautifully presented, delicate dessert each - mine the chocolate marquise and my friends the creme brulee.

The service was attentive but unobtrusive and the amuse bouche and palette cleanser delightful. My only complaint is that there are too few wines by the glass, but otherwise a wonderful dining experience.

Mar 05, 2012

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  5     

Off to a good start with the olives and sour dough, then my friend had the tomato and bocconcini salad (can't do much with that) and I had the calamari. Both OK. My friends salmon was fine but my spatchcock was rather boring. We had a mixed green salad that was fine. However, just as we finished our meal we were asked to pay our bill because they had to set up for a wedding. Five minutes later, the waiter rudely asked us again. We noted that occupants of the other tables weren't harassed in this way. A pity as this restaurant has so much promise.

Feb 27, 2012

6 Average

Food  4      Drinks  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  4     

We had high tea here last Sunday afternoon. For a 5* hotel it was pretty disappointing. My friend (a piscetarian) asked if there were any non-meat sandwiches. There weren't, but she was given an extra smoked salmon canape - at an extra cost of $3! At first we were told that the champagne wasn't included (but it was) and decided to have it anyway. The scones were stale as were the brioches. The petit fours were very sugary and sweet. Overall, must do better.

Feb 27, 2012

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

I can't believe this restaurant could be so bad. We dropped in for a quick lunch before going to the movies. I had a chicken toasted sandwich, the cook must have stood back a long way to throw on the chicken. My friend ordered the trio of dips that tasted as if they had come from Coles served with toast. Her rocket salad was...well, there's not much you can do to a rocket salad.

I ordered a glass of pinot gris but as there wasn't any, the waiter brought me a little bottle of sparkling pinot gris/ chardonnay! No, not the same. My friend asked for a bottle of still mineral water but received sparkling. When she complained, the waiter said, "What've I done wrong now?" and then, "You said Sparkling!"

When the bill arrived, I had been charged $19.90 for the sandwich instead of $11.90 as stated in the menu. By the time this was sorted, we were almost late for the movies. Did I mention the noise from the kitchen and the loud rock/rap music? Now we've got Fernandos out of the way, we'll never have to wonder "I wonder what it's like?" because we won't be going back.

Mar 27, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Drinks  4      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

What a miserable experience! This restaurant reminded me of a motel, where you decide to stay in and eat because the weather is too wet to go out. The standard is about the same. Because there was no vegetarian option, my friend asked if the prosciutto could be removed from the pasta dish. The result was tasteless but she thought it could have been livened up with some parmesan. Didn't have any.

My slow-coooked lamb was barely warm and I had to ask for the accompanying glass of shiraz. The bill took ages to arrive mainly because the waitress was engaged in a chat with a patron at the bar. Her "See you again" farewell brought forth the response, "Not likely". And I suppose they'll wonder why the business flops.

Mar 05, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

This was our second visit and we were not disappointed. Although there was no vegetarian option on the menu, a pea risotto with a dear little quail egg on the top was made for my veggie friend with no fuss. I had the Hapuki fish with the same risotto and it was done to perfection. We finished with a beautifully presented, delicate dessert each - mine the chocolate marquise and my friends the creme brulee.

The service was attentive but unobtrusive and the amuse bouche and palette cleanser delightful. My only complaint is that there are too few wines by the glass, but otherwise a wonderful dining experience.

Mar 05, 2012

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  5     

Off to a good start with the olives and sour dough, then my friend had the tomato and bocconcini salad (can't do much with that) and I had the calamari. Both OK. My friends salmon was fine but my spatchcock was rather boring. We had a mixed green salad that was fine. However, just as we finished our meal we were asked to pay our bill because they had to set up for a wedding. Five minutes later, the waiter rudely asked us again. We noted that occupants of the other tables weren't harassed in this way. A pity as this restaurant has so much promise.

Feb 27, 2012

6 Average

Food  4      Drinks  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  4     

We had high tea here last Sunday afternoon. For a 5* hotel it was pretty disappointing. My friend (a piscetarian) asked if there were any non-meat sandwiches. There weren't, but she was given an extra smoked salmon canape - at an extra cost of $3! At first we were told that the champagne wasn't included (but it was) and decided to have it anyway. The scones were stale as were the brioches. The petit fours were very sugary and sweet. Overall, must do better.

Feb 27, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

A real treat on a wet Sydney night. Gorgeous food, light and delicate, and attentive service. The cheese souffle was beautifully creamy and the brioche pudding with rum and raisin ice-cream to die for! I'll be back!

Jun 12, 2011

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  5      Value  1     

After a lovely concert at the Conservatorium, my son and I were looking forward to the seafood buffet at Cafe Opera. We were Soooo disappointed! The oysters were miniscule and had actually disappeared underneath all the bacon in the Kilpatrick version. The pasta dishes in a large wok were cold, and the mussels were not only cold but tough. The prawns were fresh but there weren't enough.

In fact, there wasn't very much of anything! The best dish was the roast beef, but the only green vegetables to accompany it were a few sticks of tired broccolini. The puddings were nice but some extra cream would have helped. At $95 a head, this is a rip-off, not to mention $50 for a $10.99 bottle of Bimbadgen Estate verdelho.

We were wishing we'd had the a la carte menu. The concierge didn't even know that Cafe Opera is closed for renovations and the buffet is now in the rather cavernous Treasury restaurant. An the loo was out of order! Not a good look for a 5* hotel!

May 28, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

A great find! Can't wait to visit the cellar for the entertainment. Hope this venue really succeeds.

Jul 03, 2005