istalvies

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Have been coming to La Buvette on and off for about 10 years now, probably the best compliment is that I didn't know the name for the first 5 years, was just "the cafe with no name" that had great breakfasts.

Owners changed a few years ago which lowered quality for a while, but was there in December 2008 and it had not only recovered but probably improved, for coffee, quality of breakfast and service. Food quality is particularly impressive given it's prepared by 3 people working a space smaller than their toilet!

Dec 26, 2008

4.8 Average

Food  6      Drinks  6      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  6     

Have been living in the area about 3 years now so probably 100+ visits if that is worth anything.

The Good: Location is great, close to Bondi Junction, Bronte, but far enough away to attract by word of mouth rather than a random crowd. Size and layout of the place works well, usually room enough for everybody and every activity (eg. for pokie players even though I will never understand them, but each to their own!). Sporting events are generally well catered for ie. use of the big screen, different TVs should their be competing codes.

Steak is generally more hit than miss, even if $8 is getting a bit pricey for what you get (creeping up regularly - $5 a couple of years ago, without any improvement in product).

The Bad: Wine selection is ordinary and unchanging in selection, hard to understand when they have a massive bottle shop down on Carrington Road. Beer is better though don't know why they didn't keep Little Creatures. Can never seem to provide consistency in when they serve food, many times I have come in around 8.30-8.45 pm, with menus still around the place, but the staff tell me the kitchen closed and they can barely give a shrug as to an explanation ...

The Ugly: Service is the worst I have ever seen over a period of time. In particular the complete lack of recognition of any regulars (whereas their counterparts at the Bottleshop down the road have a fantastic memory for faces). The only reason not to give the lowest score is that the current manager (as at Dec 2008) sets an example for all his staff to follow. On past experience though, wouldn't be surprised to see him move to a better establishment as soon as he can!

Staff are often much more interested in themselves than their customers, one example a while ago was a game they invented amongst themselves to throw coins into a metal bucket from distance for an hour ... PING ... PING ... PING ...

Overall then, much to recommend the Robin Hood, just a shame the staff don't seem to take any pride whatsoever in what they are there to do, an attitude that I'm sure comes back to them from repeated visitors. A shame.

Dec 26, 2008

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Have been coming to La Buvette on and off for about 10 years now, probably the best compliment is that I didn't know the name for the first 5 years, was just "the cafe with no name" that had great breakfasts.

Owners changed a few years ago which lowered quality for a while, but was there in December 2008 and it had not only recovered but probably improved, for coffee, quality of breakfast and service. Food quality is particularly impressive given it's prepared by 3 people working a space smaller than their toilet!

Dec 26, 2008

4.8 Average

Food  6      Drinks  6      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  6     

Have been living in the area about 3 years now so probably 100+ visits if that is worth anything.

The Good: Location is great, close to Bondi Junction, Bronte, but far enough away to attract by word of mouth rather than a random crowd. Size and layout of the place works well, usually room enough for everybody and every activity (eg. for pokie players even though I will never understand them, but each to their own!). Sporting events are generally well catered for ie. use of the big screen, different TVs should their be competing codes.

Steak is generally more hit than miss, even if $8 is getting a bit pricey for what you get (creeping up regularly - $5 a couple of years ago, without any improvement in product).

The Bad: Wine selection is ordinary and unchanging in selection, hard to understand when they have a massive bottle shop down on Carrington Road. Beer is better though don't know why they didn't keep Little Creatures. Can never seem to provide consistency in when they serve food, many times I have come in around 8.30-8.45 pm, with menus still around the place, but the staff tell me the kitchen closed and they can barely give a shrug as to an explanation ...

The Ugly: Service is the worst I have ever seen over a period of time. In particular the complete lack of recognition of any regulars (whereas their counterparts at the Bottleshop down the road have a fantastic memory for faces). The only reason not to give the lowest score is that the current manager (as at Dec 2008) sets an example for all his staff to follow. On past experience though, wouldn't be surprised to see him move to a better establishment as soon as he can!

Staff are often much more interested in themselves than their customers, one example a while ago was a game they invented amongst themselves to throw coins into a metal bucket from distance for an hour ... PING ... PING ... PING ...

Overall then, much to recommend the Robin Hood, just a shame the staff don't seem to take any pride whatsoever in what they are there to do, an attitude that I'm sure comes back to them from repeated visitors. A shame.

Dec 26, 2008