homecook

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Dined with my wife on Wednesday night with high expectations and was not disappointed. The restaurant has a pleasant ambience and excellent service.
We shared an entree of Papdi Chaat which is light, refreshing and tasty, and also Tandoori Cutlets which were well trimmed, tender and intensely flavoured.
Mains of Masala Dosai which is light, crisp and savoury and Malai Kofta were excellent.

The Lasooni (Garlic) Naan was also light and crisp. Definitely the best Indian food we have eaten, we will certainly be back.

Aug 25, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

We had lunch here for the 1st time last Sunday. Although the restaurant was full and buzzing with some larger family groups, the service could not be faulted. We were shown to our table, with initial drinks and appetizer orders taken quickly and courteously. The outlook across the river is pleasant and the restaurant and staff are well presented.

The wine list has some good wines at reasonable prices if you choose with a little knowledge. The food, however, was more miss than hit, the John Dory and Lamb were overdone, and the green beans served with the fish were barely blanched. The tartare served with the fish of the day tasted like a commercial bottled version. The worst part of any dish was the horseback prawns which were tough.

Most dishes are served with some vegetables or salad which obviated the need for but additional sides. The consensus was that the food was, perhaps, upmarket club, but not a good restaurant standard. A nice day which would have been improved with more finesse in the kitchen.

Jun 20, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

My wife & I dined here for the 1st time on Saturday night, tempted by the 8+ revues.
The restaurant has a modern & attractive decor. Offered a table near the open door, we were able to negotiate a better table without issue and as it was early, service was prompt & attentive.

The entrees of scallops and oysters were nicely presented and lived up to expectations. There is a charge for bread rolls which is normally unacceptable; however they were warm & very good, which is an improvement on free offerings which are often poor quality.

The main of crab cakes was very good, but the Provencale seafood stew was hit & miss. A substantial dish but the sauce was a bit thin & soupy and lacking in any distinctive flavours. The calamari tasted as if it had been pre-tenderised to the point of having little texture. The balance of the stew was enjoyable.

The side of chips (served with every meal) was not of restaurant quality. Some were overcooked and thus virtually hollow; mixed in with some perfectly cooked. Another side of very mature rocket was too bitter. On the up-side the corkage is very reasonable.

It became difficult to hold a conversation across the table as the restaurant filled with Cronulla’s aged retirees and other Shire denizens. As we departed we reflected on the difficulty of a restaurant becoming a Fine Diner in the Shire when ‘trendy’ (read lazy) middle aged men believe that shorts or jeans, a tee shirt and sandals are appropriate dress. Perhaps their well dressed & groomed female companions should take them in hand.

Mar 06, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Have now eaten here a few times in the past 2 years and generally enjoyed the experience. Only 4 decent mains on the menu at the moment; (purposely disregarding the pizza menu).

Arguably it is better to do only a few dishes well, rather than many dishes that are hit or miss. The prosciutto wrapped filet steak was generous & tender but needed more jus to allow for the filet drying as it cooled toward the end of the meal.

A relaxing ambience in the late afternoon for a drink at the bar before being seated (try the prosecco). However the balcony is not recommended until at least 7:30 in summer when the sun goes down behind the buildings across the road. The heat & glare can be a bit much.

Feb 27, 2011

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Dined here for the fist time last night (Sat) as a trio. First impressions of the French themed decor were agreeable. Our earlish arrival ensured that we received attentive service which was welcome. Our waiter (French we think) was well informed and accepting of our personal foibles, such as topping up our own glasses.

More often disappointed than pleasantly surprised when dining out, this experience was definitely in the latter category. Entrees of Crumbed Camembert, Coquilles, L'Oignon soup and Seafood Vol-au-vent were well executed and flavousome. The mains of Filet au Poivre vert and Tounedos were as tender a steak as we have ever tried anywhere.

Our end of meal critique was unable to fault any of the dishes. With this quality of food, service and reasonable prices, we will keep going back. It may even become our new 'Local'.

May 16, 2010

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Dined with my wife on Wednesday night with high expectations and was not disappointed. The restaurant has a pleasant ambience and excellent service.
We shared an entree of Papdi Chaat which is light, refreshing and tasty, and also Tandoori Cutlets which were well trimmed, tender and intensely flavoured.
Mains of Masala Dosai which is light, crisp and savoury and Malai Kofta were excellent.

The Lasooni (Garlic) Naan was also light and crisp. Definitely the best Indian food we have eaten, we will certainly be back.

Aug 25, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

We had lunch here for the 1st time last Sunday. Although the restaurant was full and buzzing with some larger family groups, the service could not be faulted. We were shown to our table, with initial drinks and appetizer orders taken quickly and courteously. The outlook across the river is pleasant and the restaurant and staff are well presented.

The wine list has some good wines at reasonable prices if you choose with a little knowledge. The food, however, was more miss than hit, the John Dory and Lamb were overdone, and the green beans served with the fish were barely blanched. The tartare served with the fish of the day tasted like a commercial bottled version. The worst part of any dish was the horseback prawns which were tough.

Most dishes are served with some vegetables or salad which obviated the need for but additional sides. The consensus was that the food was, perhaps, upmarket club, but not a good restaurant standard. A nice day which would have been improved with more finesse in the kitchen.

Jun 20, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

My wife & I dined here for the 1st time on Saturday night, tempted by the 8+ revues.
The restaurant has a modern & attractive decor. Offered a table near the open door, we were able to negotiate a better table without issue and as it was early, service was prompt & attentive.

The entrees of scallops and oysters were nicely presented and lived up to expectations. There is a charge for bread rolls which is normally unacceptable; however they were warm & very good, which is an improvement on free offerings which are often poor quality.

The main of crab cakes was very good, but the Provencale seafood stew was hit & miss. A substantial dish but the sauce was a bit thin & soupy and lacking in any distinctive flavours. The calamari tasted as if it had been pre-tenderised to the point of having little texture. The balance of the stew was enjoyable.

The side of chips (served with every meal) was not of restaurant quality. Some were overcooked and thus virtually hollow; mixed in with some perfectly cooked. Another side of very mature rocket was too bitter. On the up-side the corkage is very reasonable.

It became difficult to hold a conversation across the table as the restaurant filled with Cronulla’s aged retirees and other Shire denizens. As we departed we reflected on the difficulty of a restaurant becoming a Fine Diner in the Shire when ‘trendy’ (read lazy) middle aged men believe that shorts or jeans, a tee shirt and sandals are appropriate dress. Perhaps their well dressed & groomed female companions should take them in hand.

Mar 06, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Have now eaten here a few times in the past 2 years and generally enjoyed the experience. Only 4 decent mains on the menu at the moment; (purposely disregarding the pizza menu).

Arguably it is better to do only a few dishes well, rather than many dishes that are hit or miss. The prosciutto wrapped filet steak was generous & tender but needed more jus to allow for the filet drying as it cooled toward the end of the meal.

A relaxing ambience in the late afternoon for a drink at the bar before being seated (try the prosecco). However the balcony is not recommended until at least 7:30 in summer when the sun goes down behind the buildings across the road. The heat & glare can be a bit much.

Feb 27, 2011

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Dined here for the fist time last night (Sat) as a trio. First impressions of the French themed decor were agreeable. Our earlish arrival ensured that we received attentive service which was welcome. Our waiter (French we think) was well informed and accepting of our personal foibles, such as topping up our own glasses.

More often disappointed than pleasantly surprised when dining out, this experience was definitely in the latter category. Entrees of Crumbed Camembert, Coquilles, L'Oignon soup and Seafood Vol-au-vent were well executed and flavousome. The mains of Filet au Poivre vert and Tounedos were as tender a steak as we have ever tried anywhere.

Our end of meal critique was unable to fault any of the dishes. With this quality of food, service and reasonable prices, we will keep going back. It may even become our new 'Local'.

May 16, 2010