golfy82

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  8      Value  8     

At long last, a place that serves decent food in Maroubra (apart from, perhaps, the Yum Cha place over lunch).

This place is all about its food. Can get a little too cosy at times due to its small size, the bright orange kindy looking fit out doesn't help either. But who cares when you have hands down the Best roti in town (streets ahead of the over cooked, crusty, crumbling mess they mass produce at Mamak!).

We tried their sweet banana roti and it was seriously a match made in heaven, the texture of the fresh roti was light and flaky, perfectly complimenting the warm, soft, ripe banana filling inside and drizzled with condensed milk on top!

While the roti was the stand out highlight at this place, their mains are pretty authentic and no push-overs either. We ordered Yum Pla Dook Foo? (a meticulously prepared deep fried fish mince dish with salad) that tasted as authentic as its name, as well as a spicy clear pork soup that contained one chilli too many (though I must admit my spice tolerance levels have dropped since leaving Asia) and could do with less cartilage and more meat.

Overall, I was really satisfied with Na Bangkok. The waitress made up for poor ambience with great service and the rotis are to die for. Will definitely be back for a late evening snack, to the management: please open till late especially over the weekends!

Nov 23, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Having visited Ainoya for the 2nd time within a week, my partner and I have both concurred that this place delivers the best quality of food, decent value for money and excellent service. We ordered seared home made gyoza, seafood ceviche, slow cooked pork belly and diced wagyu steak during on our first trip. The gyoza seemed home-made, and was expertly wrapped in a thin egg pastry. It was lightly seared at the bottom and silky smooth on top, it was a prelude to even more enticing dishes to come.

The seafood ceviche was tossed with an abundance of fresh sashimi that in the end, we finished the salad before the fish! However, it was slightly a little too tangy and could do with less lemon juice. The highlights of the night would have to be their carnivorous selection of diced sizzling wagyu steak and pork belly. The pork belly in particular was so soft and tender that it literally melted in your mouth, lending further evidence that it was 'slow cooked'.

Our second trip was for lunch and had us completely sold and compelled us to put in a few good words for this hidden gem of a restaurant! For $45, we each had fresh sashimi (salmon, tuna and kingfish), prawn and veg tempura, expertly grilled salmon (it had that Japanese fishy aroma that was reminiscent of my previous travels over there), teriyaki chicken, gyoza, miso soup, and sake.

Wait ... they even were generous enough to let us sample their new menu, the mouth watering tuna tataki! The tataki was just incredible, from the lightly seared skin to the succulent fresh tuna flesh and amazing accompanying sauce. To top it off, the presentation was immaculate, fine dining at a bargain I say!

Would definitely be coming back (and as frequently as practicable) to this unpretentious, warm and authentic Japanese ryoutei soon!

Aug 13, 2011

3.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  1     

This place just smacks of commercialism before you even walk in, seriously, what's with the fax in only reservations, and all the pamphlets enclosed with your bill?! In the end, we booked a month in advanced and decided not to waste the $50 gift voucher. We were keen to check out what the fuss was all about (having seen the Luke Nguyen series) despite reservations that we may end up spending another $50 when you can get authentic Viet food at Marrickville for a fraction of the price!

We tried a simple steamed chicken dish, and seemingly more exotic 'fushion inspired 'shiitake mushroom and duck spring rolls and steamed tofu. The chicken was average at best and while the spring rolls were expertly wrapped, it lacked punch and flavor when dipped in very ordinary accompanying sauce. The tofu was absolutely terrible, it had a rubbery texture which made it very hard to go down.

We wouldn't be so harsh and critical if the simple dinner did not cost $85.00 for two. There's much better Viet food elsewhere for less than half this price if you're actually at a restaurant for the food and not the 'mood lighting', 'art-deco' surroundings and of course not forgetting the well presented staff who speak without an accent!

Jun 24, 2010

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  7     

This place smacks of authenticity. While I didn't think it looked 'grungy' (according to another reviewer), the greasy walls and floors, as well as the all-viet menu board definitely, not to mention the equally viet looking aunties that are the chefs,brought back memories of my trip to Hanoi recently!

There are a couple of dishes that shouldn't be missed because I haven't seen them anywhere else around town: Bun Cha : fresh rice noodles served with dipping 'tea' and char grilled pork with sugar cane strips. Bun Ca : fish noodle soup with sumptuous fish cakes, and Nem (pork mince rolled in leaf).

Despite its rather run down appearance, this is actually one of the more (if not most expensive) Viet restaurants in Marrickville, perhaps, its because they think they're a 'coffee lounge' but then again, its all relative and $15 for a nice authentic meal would be considered a bargain in some other suburbs.

Apr 07, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  10      Value  10     

Some might view this as an attempt to push up 7ettimo's ratings, but I wouldn't be doing this place any justice without another review.

We came here on a Monday this time and it was quiet, and that's when you get ultra personal service (hence the improved Service score). It took some persuasion for me to skip my old favorite Spaghetti 7 ettimo for something new, but both pasta and pizza chef walked me through the menu and came up with another absolute delight, linguini casarecia! It had that 'burnt- pan' scent and after taste (apologies for lack of another more elegant description!) and was light but full of tang.

We settled for a Risotto Pescatore (seafood) and because I was allergic to Calamari/Octopus, the chef generously replaced them with moreton bay bugs instead after consulting us! Needless to say, the dish was an instant hit! There was also an abundance of ripe and succulent prawns, a very far cry from most Thai restaurants that give a measely few even when you order a large Tom Yum Goong (Prawn sour spicy soup).

It is indeed a long drive (45 minutes) for us to get to this place but I'm already yearning to come back despite the snail express that is Parramatta road. Having read the other reviews, it is hard to comprehend why 7ettimo is only averaging 6.0, especially relative to the other Italian joints around Leichhardt. Its funny how we stumbled upon this place by eliminating Italian restaurants in Leichhardt with chinese chefs in their kitchens. I am ethnic chinese myself but am a strong believer in authentic food.

I will cut straight to the chase, the garlic pizza, prawn fettuccini and spaghetti 7ettimo cannot be missed. Truly gourmet and fresh pasta sauce bases are just so hard to come by these days, and 7ettimo has delivered everytime. (well almost there was once the regular chef was absent, and the pastas were a disaster, so make sure you get him!).

Admittedly, service is very slow but hey, they have made up for it by giving free dessert or slight refund, at the expense of quality food. Ambience is ordinary at best, but that's not the reason why people come here anyway. The value is great considering how sumptious and 'homemade' their dishes are and this keeps me coming back on a regular basis. Two thumbs up to the Pasta and Pizza chefs!

Aug 04, 2009

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  8      Value  8     

At long last, a place that serves decent food in Maroubra (apart from, perhaps, the Yum Cha place over lunch).

This place is all about its food. Can get a little too cosy at times due to its small size, the bright orange kindy looking fit out doesn't help either. But who cares when you have hands down the Best roti in town (streets ahead of the over cooked, crusty, crumbling mess they mass produce at Mamak!).

We tried their sweet banana roti and it was seriously a match made in heaven, the texture of the fresh roti was light and flaky, perfectly complimenting the warm, soft, ripe banana filling inside and drizzled with condensed milk on top!

While the roti was the stand out highlight at this place, their mains are pretty authentic and no push-overs either. We ordered Yum Pla Dook Foo? (a meticulously prepared deep fried fish mince dish with salad) that tasted as authentic as its name, as well as a spicy clear pork soup that contained one chilli too many (though I must admit my spice tolerance levels have dropped since leaving Asia) and could do with less cartilage and more meat.

Overall, I was really satisfied with Na Bangkok. The waitress made up for poor ambience with great service and the rotis are to die for. Will definitely be back for a late evening snack, to the management: please open till late especially over the weekends!

Nov 23, 2011

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Having visited Ainoya for the 2nd time within a week, my partner and I have both concurred that this place delivers the best quality of food, decent value for money and excellent service. We ordered seared home made gyoza, seafood ceviche, slow cooked pork belly and diced wagyu steak during on our first trip. The gyoza seemed home-made, and was expertly wrapped in a thin egg pastry. It was lightly seared at the bottom and silky smooth on top, it was a prelude to even more enticing dishes to come.

The seafood ceviche was tossed with an abundance of fresh sashimi that in the end, we finished the salad before the fish! However, it was slightly a little too tangy and could do with less lemon juice. The highlights of the night would have to be their carnivorous selection of diced sizzling wagyu steak and pork belly. The pork belly in particular was so soft and tender that it literally melted in your mouth, lending further evidence that it was 'slow cooked'.

Our second trip was for lunch and had us completely sold and compelled us to put in a few good words for this hidden gem of a restaurant! For $45, we each had fresh sashimi (salmon, tuna and kingfish), prawn and veg tempura, expertly grilled salmon (it had that Japanese fishy aroma that was reminiscent of my previous travels over there), teriyaki chicken, gyoza, miso soup, and sake.

Wait ... they even were generous enough to let us sample their new menu, the mouth watering tuna tataki! The tataki was just incredible, from the lightly seared skin to the succulent fresh tuna flesh and amazing accompanying sauce. To top it off, the presentation was immaculate, fine dining at a bargain I say!

Would definitely be coming back (and as frequently as practicable) to this unpretentious, warm and authentic Japanese ryoutei soon!

Aug 13, 2011

3.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  1     

This place just smacks of commercialism before you even walk in, seriously, what's with the fax in only reservations, and all the pamphlets enclosed with your bill?! In the end, we booked a month in advanced and decided not to waste the $50 gift voucher. We were keen to check out what the fuss was all about (having seen the Luke Nguyen series) despite reservations that we may end up spending another $50 when you can get authentic Viet food at Marrickville for a fraction of the price!

We tried a simple steamed chicken dish, and seemingly more exotic 'fushion inspired 'shiitake mushroom and duck spring rolls and steamed tofu. The chicken was average at best and while the spring rolls were expertly wrapped, it lacked punch and flavor when dipped in very ordinary accompanying sauce. The tofu was absolutely terrible, it had a rubbery texture which made it very hard to go down.

We wouldn't be so harsh and critical if the simple dinner did not cost $85.00 for two. There's much better Viet food elsewhere for less than half this price if you're actually at a restaurant for the food and not the 'mood lighting', 'art-deco' surroundings and of course not forgetting the well presented staff who speak without an accent!

Jun 24, 2010

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  7     

This place smacks of authenticity. While I didn't think it looked 'grungy' (according to another reviewer), the greasy walls and floors, as well as the all-viet menu board definitely, not to mention the equally viet looking aunties that are the chefs,brought back memories of my trip to Hanoi recently!

There are a couple of dishes that shouldn't be missed because I haven't seen them anywhere else around town: Bun Cha : fresh rice noodles served with dipping 'tea' and char grilled pork with sugar cane strips. Bun Ca : fish noodle soup with sumptuous fish cakes, and Nem (pork mince rolled in leaf).

Despite its rather run down appearance, this is actually one of the more (if not most expensive) Viet restaurants in Marrickville, perhaps, its because they think they're a 'coffee lounge' but then again, its all relative and $15 for a nice authentic meal would be considered a bargain in some other suburbs.

Apr 07, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  10      Value  10     

Some might view this as an attempt to push up 7ettimo's ratings, but I wouldn't be doing this place any justice without another review.

We came here on a Monday this time and it was quiet, and that's when you get ultra personal service (hence the improved Service score). It took some persuasion for me to skip my old favorite Spaghetti 7 ettimo for something new, but both pasta and pizza chef walked me through the menu and came up with another absolute delight, linguini casarecia! It had that 'burnt- pan' scent and after taste (apologies for lack of another more elegant description!) and was light but full of tang.

We settled for a Risotto Pescatore (seafood) and because I was allergic to Calamari/Octopus, the chef generously replaced them with moreton bay bugs instead after consulting us! Needless to say, the dish was an instant hit! There was also an abundance of ripe and succulent prawns, a very far cry from most Thai restaurants that give a measely few even when you order a large Tom Yum Goong (Prawn sour spicy soup).

It is indeed a long drive (45 minutes) for us to get to this place but I'm already yearning to come back despite the snail express that is Parramatta road. Having read the other reviews, it is hard to comprehend why 7ettimo is only averaging 6.0, especially relative to the other Italian joints around Leichhardt. Its funny how we stumbled upon this place by eliminating Italian restaurants in Leichhardt with chinese chefs in their kitchens. I am ethnic chinese myself but am a strong believer in authentic food.

I will cut straight to the chase, the garlic pizza, prawn fettuccini and spaghetti 7ettimo cannot be missed. Truly gourmet and fresh pasta sauce bases are just so hard to come by these days, and 7ettimo has delivered everytime. (well almost there was once the regular chef was absent, and the pastas were a disaster, so make sure you get him!).

Admittedly, service is very slow but hey, they have made up for it by giving free dessert or slight refund, at the expense of quality food. Ambience is ordinary at best, but that's not the reason why people come here anyway. The value is great considering how sumptious and 'homemade' their dishes are and this keeps me coming back on a regular basis. Two thumbs up to the Pasta and Pizza chefs!

Aug 04, 2009

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Its been a while since I've dined at a place with delightfully pleasant service. The waiter for the night went as far as to introduce the dishes that were admittedly foreign to us.

The entrees were served tapas style with the king prawns/wagyu beef and gozleme clear favorites. For a fine dining restaurant, the portions of the mains were huge (whilst not compromising on the quality either!). We were absolutely filled to the brim prior to dessert. I would have given a higher food score but the dessert left us feeling slightly dissatisfied. They served us a chocolate fudge hidden under a layer of baclava.

While the fudge was good, we were here for the baclava. The Turkish coffee was served in cute little cups but presentation aside, were nothing to shout about. Must say the ambience at this place ranks as one of best, well spaced out yet with a cozy feel. Value was good too considering the healthy portions. Only let down of the night would have to be the dessert heist.

Jun 07, 2009

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  10     

Must second Hung Hing's review in highly recommending their 'Hu Tieu Xao' (stir fry noodles) line of dishes. We actually tried the 'Hu Tieu Xao' with shredded roast duck and it was a winner! What I believe to be key to this dish is the 'burnt' taste of the flat rice noodles which can only be created with an extremely hot wok. It is kinda nostalgic as it reminds me of the 'Sa Hor Fan' back home in Malaysia.

We've since discovered a couple of other 'hits' at this restaurant, namely the Boon Bo Hue but make sure you substitute the slices of beef with fried prawn balls! The Banh Cuon (steamed ravioli) is also pretty good. The authentic drinks (sam bo luong and che bat mau) are nice too especially on hot summer days (although the barley is sometimes a bit brittle).

A common mistake made by most foreigners who frequent this place (as with other Asian restaurants) is their tendency to order more conventional stuff like 'prawn vermicelli rolls' or 'Pho' or satay/lemon/sweet and sour meat dishes. I say come in with a native and unlock a whole new world of flavour!

Jun 05, 2009

7.3 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

The food here is fresh and quite frankly, rather peerless in Sydney. The sashimi salad and cold hand made noodles (soba) in particular were outstanding.

However, the cooked dishes are grossly over priced, no matter how you look at it, forking out $30 for a seafood sizzling plate (1 mini lobster, 2 small slices of fish, 2 thin slices of calamari, 2 mini scallops and few pieces of veg - yes I counted!) is beyond me, especially since we had to even share the table with another group.

Will be returning only when I get a higher earning job.

Jun 05, 2009

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  1     

This place couldn't be more different (in a negative sense). I used to frequent Renato's a few years ago and was pretty satisfied with the food and value. Not anymore.

We ordered 2 rump steaks that was thick but extremely stale and had the texture of chewy rubber, possibly both a combination of overcooking and the unfreshness. The mushroom sauce that accompanied the dish was watery and failed miserably in making the steak less inedible! Even the steam vegetables were grossly undercooked.

By now, I couldn't help but jump to my own conclusions regarding the culinary skills of the all Asian kitchen crew (at least from what we could see) in this purportedly Italian restaurant. Service was conducted at a snails pace (it wasn't even 1/3 full) and the waitress was terse and abrupt despite taking forever to get to us in the first place.

Ambience was ok apart from the overly loud stereo blaring 106.5 FM in the background and tight seating arrangements. Will definitely not be returning to this joint and paying $30++ per pax for an impersonation of food!

Jun 05, 2009