dthai90

7.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

Gorgeous location, views, ambience and service. This is definitely a treat for a special occasion and I recently frequented with a group of friends for my boyfriend's surprise birthday dinner.

The oysters were delicious, as were the entrees, snapper pie (this is a must!) and dessert. This is pretty much dead set guaranteed as it received general approval from the group. We had one gripe, however, which was:

1) The price. For around $50 per main for a fillet of fish, the portion size was small, and most of us thought the flavour was rather 'subtle' - politely speaking. Or bland. Don't waste this opportunity and order the snapper pie!

Oct 14, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  3     

I think this restaurant has missed the point with group discounts and needless to say I won't be coming back. That said, I didn't have great expectations to begin with since the voucher was so cheap ($50 for a 7 course meal for two), and yet it still disappointed.

On the whole the food was lacking in flavour and creativity. To mention a few - most of the dishes 'for two' were in single-person servings and they dished up the same side salad in three different courses. For the mains, the salmon was overcooked and dry, and the wagyu beef, although well-cooked, was doused in too much sauce. This came out on a large plate alongside a messy dollop of salad and a mound of rice - it looked more like something you would make at home. Dessert was a scoop of ice cream and lukewarm green tea.

Service was lacking - they forgot to bring out my friend's main, and when they did, he received a smaller portion size than the rest of us. The atmosphere was confusing for a 'Japanese' bar and bistro. The water bottles were typically the kind you find in korean restaurants. They served water in Japanese tea cups and green tea in Chinese tea cups. Overall, the interiors were mismatched and decor was awkwardly positioned to give off an aritificial 'oriental' feel. I mean, I guess they tried.

Oct 14, 2011

9.4 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10      Location  8     

I recently stayed here with a group of 3 other girls for a week in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom self-contained apartment. I was initially apprehensive about the lack of reviews on the apartments, but we were pleasantly surprised that the interiors of the apartments were just as spotless and stylish as shown in the pictures on the web site. The only flaw was that the kitchen benchtop hadn't been wiped down properly, although that was only a minor flaw in the scale of things. Everything else in terms of cleanliness was spot-on.

The apartment is very upmarket, stylish, and within walking distance to Southern Cross station, Etihad stadium, Crown Casino and South Wharf DFO. The free city circle tram stopped within a 2 minute walking distance from our front door which was very convenient. And from most points in the CBD, a cab back only costs around $10. The area itself is quiet working area, and its eateries are rather expensive so I would recommend heading out into town for entertainment and cheap eats (about 10 minutes by tram).

The people who owned the apartment were very professional and accommodating, and were quick to respond to any of our needs. They offered personal service and kindly explained the features of our apartment and everything that was in the area, also lending us their personal pool, sauna and gym key at request. In fact they left this key with us for most of our stay.

The only gripe we had with the apartment was that the TV and DVD player were difficult to operate (and from obscure brands - e.g. the TV was a 'TWI'), although the owners were quick to pop down to our apartment to fix any issues.

Overall it was a very pleasant stay for a good price. The apartments are well-looked after and it is quite obvious that the owners take great pride in them. I would definitely recommend this for families and small groups up to 4 or 5 people.

Jul 16, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

I recently went here with a group of friends for a birthday.

For entrees, my boyfriend and I shared damper ($6.50) and oysters prepared two ways, natural served with lemon, and kilpatrick (~$3.50 each). We were disappointed with the oysters, they were served at room temperature (not chilled), and the oysters themselves were not fresh.

For the main I ordered the crispy duck confit ($32.50), and although this *Is* a steakhouse, for the price you pay, you would expect well-cooked duck. The flavours were pleasant, however, the duck was dry (even at the bone) and the red cabbage leaves were raw and bitter. A very dry dish overall.

However, I tried my boyfriend's wagyu steak, and although it was tough around the edges the centre was very juicy and tender, so maybe duck was just not meant to be! The red wine jus was also very flavoursome. The saving grace of the meal was dessert, the chocolate fondant was delicious and oozing in the middle.

Overall a rather disappointing experience. For the price you pay, you'd expect at least well-cooked and well-prepared food, be they oysters or duck at a steakhouse! After all it didn't come cheap.

Jun 27, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  10     

I came here recently with my boyfriend. We'd driven past the place a couple of times and had a laugh at the cheesy name of the restaurant, but decided to give it a go for the seafood.

We ordered a Singaporean style mud crab, which was perfectly cooked and flavoursome. The san choy bau was a bit of a let down, although that was my first time trying it so I'm no expert. I suspect it's just a gimmicky western-chinese dish so no surprises there. We also ordered a seafood hot pot, which was bland.

The interior needs a bit of updating but I guess its humble decor and location is what keeps the price down! Between the two of us, including the fresh mud crab the bill came to $75. Service was impersonal but very efficient. I would come back, if not for anything else, definitely for the fresh seafood.

Jun 16, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

Gorgeous location, views, ambience and service. This is definitely a treat for a special occasion and I recently frequented with a group of friends for my boyfriend's surprise birthday dinner.

The oysters were delicious, as were the entrees, snapper pie (this is a must!) and dessert. This is pretty much dead set guaranteed as it received general approval from the group. We had one gripe, however, which was:

1) The price. For around $50 per main for a fillet of fish, the portion size was small, and most of us thought the flavour was rather 'subtle' - politely speaking. Or bland. Don't waste this opportunity and order the snapper pie!

Oct 14, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  3     

I think this restaurant has missed the point with group discounts and needless to say I won't be coming back. That said, I didn't have great expectations to begin with since the voucher was so cheap ($50 for a 7 course meal for two), and yet it still disappointed.

On the whole the food was lacking in flavour and creativity. To mention a few - most of the dishes 'for two' were in single-person servings and they dished up the same side salad in three different courses. For the mains, the salmon was overcooked and dry, and the wagyu beef, although well-cooked, was doused in too much sauce. This came out on a large plate alongside a messy dollop of salad and a mound of rice - it looked more like something you would make at home. Dessert was a scoop of ice cream and lukewarm green tea.

Service was lacking - they forgot to bring out my friend's main, and when they did, he received a smaller portion size than the rest of us. The atmosphere was confusing for a 'Japanese' bar and bistro. The water bottles were typically the kind you find in korean restaurants. They served water in Japanese tea cups and green tea in Chinese tea cups. Overall, the interiors were mismatched and decor was awkwardly positioned to give off an aritificial 'oriental' feel. I mean, I guess they tried.

Oct 14, 2011

9.4 Highly Recommended

Quality  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10      Location  8     

I recently stayed here with a group of 3 other girls for a week in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom self-contained apartment. I was initially apprehensive about the lack of reviews on the apartments, but we were pleasantly surprised that the interiors of the apartments were just as spotless and stylish as shown in the pictures on the web site. The only flaw was that the kitchen benchtop hadn't been wiped down properly, although that was only a minor flaw in the scale of things. Everything else in terms of cleanliness was spot-on.

The apartment is very upmarket, stylish, and within walking distance to Southern Cross station, Etihad stadium, Crown Casino and South Wharf DFO. The free city circle tram stopped within a 2 minute walking distance from our front door which was very convenient. And from most points in the CBD, a cab back only costs around $10. The area itself is quiet working area, and its eateries are rather expensive so I would recommend heading out into town for entertainment and cheap eats (about 10 minutes by tram).

The people who owned the apartment were very professional and accommodating, and were quick to respond to any of our needs. They offered personal service and kindly explained the features of our apartment and everything that was in the area, also lending us their personal pool, sauna and gym key at request. In fact they left this key with us for most of our stay.

The only gripe we had with the apartment was that the TV and DVD player were difficult to operate (and from obscure brands - e.g. the TV was a 'TWI'), although the owners were quick to pop down to our apartment to fix any issues.

Overall it was a very pleasant stay for a good price. The apartments are well-looked after and it is quite obvious that the owners take great pride in them. I would definitely recommend this for families and small groups up to 4 or 5 people.

Jul 16, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

I recently went here with a group of friends for a birthday.

For entrees, my boyfriend and I shared damper ($6.50) and oysters prepared two ways, natural served with lemon, and kilpatrick (~$3.50 each). We were disappointed with the oysters, they were served at room temperature (not chilled), and the oysters themselves were not fresh.

For the main I ordered the crispy duck confit ($32.50), and although this *Is* a steakhouse, for the price you pay, you would expect well-cooked duck. The flavours were pleasant, however, the duck was dry (even at the bone) and the red cabbage leaves were raw and bitter. A very dry dish overall.

However, I tried my boyfriend's wagyu steak, and although it was tough around the edges the centre was very juicy and tender, so maybe duck was just not meant to be! The red wine jus was also very flavoursome. The saving grace of the meal was dessert, the chocolate fondant was delicious and oozing in the middle.

Overall a rather disappointing experience. For the price you pay, you'd expect at least well-cooked and well-prepared food, be they oysters or duck at a steakhouse! After all it didn't come cheap.

Jun 27, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  10     

I came here recently with my boyfriend. We'd driven past the place a couple of times and had a laugh at the cheesy name of the restaurant, but decided to give it a go for the seafood.

We ordered a Singaporean style mud crab, which was perfectly cooked and flavoursome. The san choy bau was a bit of a let down, although that was my first time trying it so I'm no expert. I suspect it's just a gimmicky western-chinese dish so no surprises there. We also ordered a seafood hot pot, which was bland.

The interior needs a bit of updating but I guess its humble decor and location is what keeps the price down! Between the two of us, including the fresh mud crab the bill came to $75. Service was impersonal but very efficient. I would come back, if not for anything else, definitely for the fresh seafood.

Jun 16, 2011