drexcia

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  2     

Never again. Horrible food, inattentive service and just plain unprofessional. The view will only get you so far. Pick up your act.

Feb 07, 2010

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We booked a table on Sunday night over the Queens Birthday long weekend. I was feeling like some traditional Chinese restaurant food so we had a scout around some websites (we're not Canberra locals) and Ginseng looked to be the place to go. Unfortunately, our cab didn't know how to get to Manuka from our Hotel so we had a crack at directing him ourselves (we got there in the end).

After purchasing some wine across the road (gotta love BYO!). We arrived at the restaurant but our table wasn't quite ready but thankfully the weather wasn't too cold so we waited outside. We were seated about 5 minutes later. The place was buzzing with atmosphere including a large Birthday Party so it was a good start. Because it was so busy I was little worried that service may be slow but after perusing the (large) menu, our orders were in and we were on our way.

We started with some spring rolls and pork dumplings, they were absolutely sensational. The flavours were perfect. Then before too long our mains of beef (can't remember what exactly it was) and chilli chicken arrived. Again, the food was superb, the chicken was a little oily and not really hot at all but this was surpassed by the flavours. One thing to remember is that the servings are on the bigger side so keep that in mind when you order.

Service was efficient and courteous, what you'd expect in a restaurant like this.
Canberra, you should thank your lucky stars that you have a restaurant that serves food as good as this!

Jun 08, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  8     

We dined at The Ginger Room over the long weekend for the second time in about 12 months. It's good value, the food is good quality and this is backed up by a great formal atmosphere complete with original wallpaper (albeit not to my taste!)

Unfortunately, this is let down by second rate service, the matire d' was great but he seemed to be trying to hold the ship together of some very amateur service staff. We had a number of different waiters and they didn't seem to communicate with each other. When our food was presented they asked who was having what (there were only two of us). We also had to ask for wine refills more than once, this included my partner going through a whole course without any wine at all.

This place could be so much better if they overhauled their service staff. Regardless, we'll probably give it another go in 12 months, hopefully the service will be better.

Jun 08, 2009

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

We've been going here for a couple of years and this place is consistently excellent. The food is spectacular, the service is great and the value for money is sensational. It's head and shoulders above any other Middle Eastern/Lebanese place I've eaten at. Definitely an asset to the locals of North Sydney/Crows Nest.

Sep 19, 2008

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  2     

We've only had take away from here so I've marked the Ambience and Service as 5, but this is quite possibly the worst pizza I've ever had, overpriced and tasteless. They really need to pick their act up if they want to be a contender in Crows Nest, at least in the take away pizza market.

Feb 02, 2008

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  2     

Never again. Horrible food, inattentive service and just plain unprofessional. The view will only get you so far. Pick up your act.

Feb 07, 2010

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We booked a table on Sunday night over the Queens Birthday long weekend. I was feeling like some traditional Chinese restaurant food so we had a scout around some websites (we're not Canberra locals) and Ginseng looked to be the place to go. Unfortunately, our cab didn't know how to get to Manuka from our Hotel so we had a crack at directing him ourselves (we got there in the end).

After purchasing some wine across the road (gotta love BYO!). We arrived at the restaurant but our table wasn't quite ready but thankfully the weather wasn't too cold so we waited outside. We were seated about 5 minutes later. The place was buzzing with atmosphere including a large Birthday Party so it was a good start. Because it was so busy I was little worried that service may be slow but after perusing the (large) menu, our orders were in and we were on our way.

We started with some spring rolls and pork dumplings, they were absolutely sensational. The flavours were perfect. Then before too long our mains of beef (can't remember what exactly it was) and chilli chicken arrived. Again, the food was superb, the chicken was a little oily and not really hot at all but this was surpassed by the flavours. One thing to remember is that the servings are on the bigger side so keep that in mind when you order.

Service was efficient and courteous, what you'd expect in a restaurant like this.
Canberra, you should thank your lucky stars that you have a restaurant that serves food as good as this!

Jun 08, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  8     

We dined at The Ginger Room over the long weekend for the second time in about 12 months. It's good value, the food is good quality and this is backed up by a great formal atmosphere complete with original wallpaper (albeit not to my taste!)

Unfortunately, this is let down by second rate service, the matire d' was great but he seemed to be trying to hold the ship together of some very amateur service staff. We had a number of different waiters and they didn't seem to communicate with each other. When our food was presented they asked who was having what (there were only two of us). We also had to ask for wine refills more than once, this included my partner going through a whole course without any wine at all.

This place could be so much better if they overhauled their service staff. Regardless, we'll probably give it another go in 12 months, hopefully the service will be better.

Jun 08, 2009

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

We've been going here for a couple of years and this place is consistently excellent. The food is spectacular, the service is great and the value for money is sensational. It's head and shoulders above any other Middle Eastern/Lebanese place I've eaten at. Definitely an asset to the locals of North Sydney/Crows Nest.

Sep 19, 2008

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  2     

We've only had take away from here so I've marked the Ambience and Service as 5, but this is quite possibly the worst pizza I've ever had, overpriced and tasteless. They really need to pick their act up if they want to be a contender in Crows Nest, at least in the take away pizza market.

Feb 02, 2008

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  4     

The food was good but the short soup ($16.50) and fried rice ($26) weren't as good as my local chinese restaurant. The other dishes (Sweet and Sour Pork, Schezhuan Steak) were very good but didn't blow me away. However, the service was flawless, I didn't find them too overbearing at all. The decor was fine, it may be slightly dated but hardly worth commenting on. Overall a good experience but I expected more for the money.

Jan 21, 2008

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

Hands down the best Asian food in Sydney. We've been going here for several years and it is yet to disappoint. The food is spectacular. They recently trimmed their menu but there are several dishes available that aren't on the menu. (Short Soup, Non Seafood San Choi Bow etc). So it doesn't hurt to ask if you want something that isn't on there. Favourites: Hunan Ribs, Szechuan Chicken (Hot!), Lamb Pancakes.

Service can be inconsistent but once you build up a rapport with them, you'll be well looked after. It's not cheap but well worth the money.

Dec 19, 2007

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

After going through several changes of ownership in the last few months, it looks as though this place has finally got it right. Friendly staff, a menu that's easy to follow and tasty food. A good local Chinese restaurant.

Response from Management:
Thank you from all of us from aYummy Yummy Chinese Cuisine :) AND
Look forward to see you again, sooner the better :)

Dec 19, 2007

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.3 Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

After reading such excellent reviews, we thought we'd go along and try it out. The first thing that struck me was that to look at, it could have been any sort of cafe, quite a different fitout to what I was expecting. I was thinking something more along the lines of a Bavarian/Belgian Beer Cafe fitout. Not to worry, along with the evening.

The Czech beer on tap was very nice and very easy to drink. The service was ok, we asked the waitress to explain a couple of the dishes and she was quite vague with her descriptions, it was almost like we should have known what what it was.

For entree I ordered the Crumbed Brie and my partner ordered the Garlic Tiger Prawns. The brie was ok but bordering on cold and the prawns were the size of cashews, similar to the prawns you get in fried rice and smothered in a salty thick yellow sauce. Not what my partner expected, 4 larger prawns instead of many small prawns would have been better.

Onto the mains, I had Vienna Schnitzel and my partner had the Buffalo Cheeks. The schnitzel was again "ok" but lacked any sort of real flavour and was quite oily. The mash potato was yellow deb. I've had better schnitzel and mash at the local RSL. The highlight of the meal was the steamed greens. My partner couldn't eat the buffalo cheeks. It was a chunk of meat with dumplings (cold dried bread) around the outside. The sauce was too thick and cold to be absorbed by the dumplings.

The highlights of the evening were the steamed greens and the beer. I have to state, we are not fussy eaters. It was just a bad experience, bad enough for me to write my second review in 2 years on Eatability after eating at nearly every restaurant in Crows Nest.

Jun 02, 2007