fanatics

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

Spice I Am has gone done the drain! Went there recently with my husband for lunch - there was practically no one in the restaurant yet we were seated right in the back in a pokey corner. Asked for the boat noodles - the soup came out in a bowl on top of a plate... which also contained raw piece of pork. When we pointed this out to staff, they rolled their eyes, took the dish away and in front of me just replaced the plate, with still some raw meat attached to bowl.

My husband ordered pad thai and requested the glass noodles. We were told by the staff that they will use the thin noodles as requested yet when dish came, it was the normal noodles. We brought this error to our waiter's attention, her comment "I told you we would use thin noodles...we don't have any other"... walked away and consulted with the manager after we raised the fact we had the glass noodles before. Her feedback was "you can have the noodle but for $3 more".

In summary, rude staff, average tasting food and overly priced dishes makes Spice I Am a place to avoid! Ignore the outdated hype.

Sep 09, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  10      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  7     

We had the 7 course degustation and each course was divine and just unbelievably good, perfectly balanced flavours to complement the fresh produce, truly divine. Haven't been culinary impressed like this for a long time.

The only draw back was service, despite booking a month ahead, we were seated at a table that meant one of us being constantly bumped. The waitress reluctantly moved us to a nicer and quieter spot. We then waited for 15 minutes before given a menu and another 15 for water. Again, through the evening, drink service was beyond poor, we waited for 30 minutes for our sake and water to arrive.

Waiters did not know how to describe the dishes, they were either mumbling or proceeded to ask us whether we knew what sweetbread was. Another classic was the waiter asking another diner (in loud voice) whether dessert was served with icecream or sorbet, and then concluded with "its all the same". So, food amazing, service and atmosphere was a real let down.

Sep 04, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Pretty good casual restaurant. My husband was impressed with the beer menu especially the on tap options. Pork knuckle was a hit with the boys, the golden duck was flavoursome and apple strudel for dessert a fantastic way to finishing a meal.

Portions are large especially the meat feast, so you will leave satisfied and full after a main and shared dessert. The only downfall, we waited for an hour before our dinner was served (our booking was at 8:15pm on a Saturday night) though staff kept giving us complimentary bread and dips to keep us going accompanied with apologies for the delay.

A def return for a fun relaxed evening with friends, beer and good food.

May 18, 2009

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  2     

Not impressed! Went over the weekend for a birthday brunch, we had a booking for 9 people for the breakfast banquet. Our booking was for 9:30 am and we were told at the time of the reservation, we had a 2 hr booking. From the moment we sat down, we were reminded that we had to leave at 11 am, even though our booking was till 11:30 am. This message was repeated 8 times during the 1.5 hrs we were there! Half the table didn't have enough cutlery.

The 2 waitresses were sour faced and everytime we asked for something like a knife, or put an order in for drinks, we were met with a frown and sigh as if we were a burden to them as well as a reminder that we had to leave in so many minutes. Our drinks were given to us with 5 minutes to go before we had to leave (mind you, the next group hadn't even arrived at the time of the new session!).

Food wise - appalling. The entrees were nice but our mains (eggs with different sides) came out at the same time with dessert, pancakes served with icecream on top. Needless to say, the icecream had melted and the pancakes were a soggy affair when our party was ready to eat dessert.

The Tangine came out last, but with little time to spare and conscious of being escorted out at any minute, we couldn't really enjoy this dish. Overall, an extremely unpleasant dining experience. The attitudes of the waitresses was appalling and ruined a birthday brunch. The food was ordinary in taste and frankly, the attitude of service staff ruined our appetite and enjoyment.

Kazbah used to be a great place but after this weekend, I don't think we will be back. Save your precious weekend brunch and go to a place where your patronage is appreciated and you aren't made to feel like a production line!

Apr 06, 2009

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Love this place! My husband and I are weekly regulars at this little quaint restaurant. The fish is always fresh and we love the Emon badukan special (sushi served on rice) and the pork kakuni just melts in your mouth. We always leave this place with a satisfied belly, savouring the different flavours from our meal.

Mar 25, 2009

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

Spice I Am has gone done the drain! Went there recently with my husband for lunch - there was practically no one in the restaurant yet we were seated right in the back in a pokey corner. Asked for the boat noodles - the soup came out in a bowl on top of a plate... which also contained raw piece of pork. When we pointed this out to staff, they rolled their eyes, took the dish away and in front of me just replaced the plate, with still some raw meat attached to bowl.

My husband ordered pad thai and requested the glass noodles. We were told by the staff that they will use the thin noodles as requested yet when dish came, it was the normal noodles. We brought this error to our waiter's attention, her comment "I told you we would use thin noodles...we don't have any other"... walked away and consulted with the manager after we raised the fact we had the glass noodles before. Her feedback was "you can have the noodle but for $3 more".

In summary, rude staff, average tasting food and overly priced dishes makes Spice I Am a place to avoid! Ignore the outdated hype.

Sep 09, 2011

6.3 Average

Food  10      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  7     

We had the 7 course degustation and each course was divine and just unbelievably good, perfectly balanced flavours to complement the fresh produce, truly divine. Haven't been culinary impressed like this for a long time.

The only draw back was service, despite booking a month ahead, we were seated at a table that meant one of us being constantly bumped. The waitress reluctantly moved us to a nicer and quieter spot. We then waited for 15 minutes before given a menu and another 15 for water. Again, through the evening, drink service was beyond poor, we waited for 30 minutes for our sake and water to arrive.

Waiters did not know how to describe the dishes, they were either mumbling or proceeded to ask us whether we knew what sweetbread was. Another classic was the waiter asking another diner (in loud voice) whether dessert was served with icecream or sorbet, and then concluded with "its all the same". So, food amazing, service and atmosphere was a real let down.

Sep 04, 2011

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Pretty good casual restaurant. My husband was impressed with the beer menu especially the on tap options. Pork knuckle was a hit with the boys, the golden duck was flavoursome and apple strudel for dessert a fantastic way to finishing a meal.

Portions are large especially the meat feast, so you will leave satisfied and full after a main and shared dessert. The only downfall, we waited for an hour before our dinner was served (our booking was at 8:15pm on a Saturday night) though staff kept giving us complimentary bread and dips to keep us going accompanied with apologies for the delay.

A def return for a fun relaxed evening with friends, beer and good food.

May 18, 2009

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  2     

Not impressed! Went over the weekend for a birthday brunch, we had a booking for 9 people for the breakfast banquet. Our booking was for 9:30 am and we were told at the time of the reservation, we had a 2 hr booking. From the moment we sat down, we were reminded that we had to leave at 11 am, even though our booking was till 11:30 am. This message was repeated 8 times during the 1.5 hrs we were there! Half the table didn't have enough cutlery.

The 2 waitresses were sour faced and everytime we asked for something like a knife, or put an order in for drinks, we were met with a frown and sigh as if we were a burden to them as well as a reminder that we had to leave in so many minutes. Our drinks were given to us with 5 minutes to go before we had to leave (mind you, the next group hadn't even arrived at the time of the new session!).

Food wise - appalling. The entrees were nice but our mains (eggs with different sides) came out at the same time with dessert, pancakes served with icecream on top. Needless to say, the icecream had melted and the pancakes were a soggy affair when our party was ready to eat dessert.

The Tangine came out last, but with little time to spare and conscious of being escorted out at any minute, we couldn't really enjoy this dish. Overall, an extremely unpleasant dining experience. The attitudes of the waitresses was appalling and ruined a birthday brunch. The food was ordinary in taste and frankly, the attitude of service staff ruined our appetite and enjoyment.

Kazbah used to be a great place but after this weekend, I don't think we will be back. Save your precious weekend brunch and go to a place where your patronage is appreciated and you aren't made to feel like a production line!

Apr 06, 2009

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Love this place! My husband and I are weekly regulars at this little quaint restaurant. The fish is always fresh and we love the Emon badukan special (sushi served on rice) and the pork kakuni just melts in your mouth. We always leave this place with a satisfied belly, savouring the different flavours from our meal.

Mar 25, 2009

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  3     

"Best Italian in Sydney" was the catch phrase used by a friend, that lured us to Il Locale. And we were very disappointed on the night, the pizza's were oily and tasteless, the pastas had no flavour and were over cooked. A friend's risotto was undercooked, and we ended shouting across the table to be heard. Def. not recommended as the food is poor and the service and cost doesn't make up for it either.

Nov 14, 2008

5.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  6     

If value for money and big portion is your main consideration, this place is a must. Don't expect to linger over dinner, as service is quick and on the edge of being pushy, we just sat down, plastic plates and cups were placed on the table with an immediate request for your order, we hadn't had the chance to even look at the menu!

Food portions are huge! Not sure of the freshness of the sashimi though, and the salad for very ordinary, they just threw shredded cabbage, 2 tomato slices and few lettuce leaves with seaweed together. The only highlight was the bells assigned to each table in the back courtyard, ring and a waiter pops up within a second, though press the bell too many times, they start ignoring you!

Sushi-ya is really the North Shore equivalent to Sushi Suma in Surry Hills - cheap, quick and zero expectations apart from you will leave feeling full.

Oct 15, 2008

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Ginger and Spice is the place for us when we are craving hainan chicken or more importantly, their Singaporean chilli crab. The sauce is just moorish especially with the roti to soap up the sauce....delish! It's not cheap when you order the crab and be mindful, it needs to be preordered as well. The service is always great. Try the olak and kecap manis, you won't be disappointed!

Sep 11, 2008

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

We used to love this place when Brett was the main waiter/manager but now that he is gone, Strangers has lost its atmosphere for us. No longer are we greeted with cheerfulness and warmth at the door. The new head waiter is sweet but she is not as genuine in her warmth.

On the culinary side, food is still good but while prices are remain the same, I have noticed a decrease in portion size. The home made muffins are to die for....though my one last week was a bit on the burnt side. We love the virgin mary's as well as the coffee here.

Overall, Strangers is still an enjoyable weekend brunch venue for us but we don't tend to frequent as much as we used to.

Sep 10, 2008

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  8     

Sushi Tengoku falls into the cheap and cheerful (but sometimes nasty) catergory - it's great for a cheap weekday sushi though I would highly recommend to stay away from ordering any of their salads or hot food!

The sushi here is oversized and often fresh but don't expect any atmosphere! The crowd tends to be uni students that are loud, shout across the table with their vulgarity and lots of talking with one's mouth full of food! Try to book for a later time, or takeaway is even better to avoid the student crowd.

Sep 10, 2008