jkbayley

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  3     

We didn't have the churrascaria as we had people who didn't want it. The alternatives sounded appetizing, but were disappointing and very overpriced. The service left a lot to be desired, and we felt rather neglected. This is a large dining room, but still feels very cramped by the number of tables. NOT child-friendly!

Feb 12, 2008

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Very tasty North African-style food with a great ambience to the place. Tasty vegetarian options. A good atmosphere to the place and seating makes this place fun. Child friendly and a good wine by the glass selection.

Feb 12, 2008

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

A busy, bustling place. A moderately-sized menu of great Vietnamese food. Very good value.

Dec 17, 2007

8.2 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I can't believe this place was so quiet on a Sunday afternoon when there was so much to offer. A quiet, cool dining room with tasteful decor, and a simple, yet elegant menu. All our food was very enjoyable and the waiting staff were lovely. Our 2 year-old was well looked after. An undiscovered Sunday dining gem.

Nov 26, 2007

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

When a restaurant has a hat from The Age, you want to go there. When they also recommend it as somewhere to have good food, and that will also be happy for you to take a child along, then it's a must. Someone was clearly having a laugh then, on both accounts. We arrived at the start of service, and when we explained that we did not have a reservation (we had been shopping nearby) a lot of discussion we could not understand prompted the request that we vacate our table in 90 minutes or less.

Clearly they must be very busy we thought. The threesome behind us also explained their lack of reservation, yet were ushered to a table without hesitation.
The other table received warm towels and drinks. We received stares. Eventually we were offered drinks, but no menus. This makes choosing food quite troublesome. Eventually they arrived. The other table was offered cutlery for those not adapt with chopsticks, my wife was invited to struggle.

I find it hard to look beyond squid as a starter once I see it there, so my choice was obvious. One that I regret. What little of it I did get was excessively oily and had the texture of tyre rubber. My main course chicken had a sauce, but no flavour. My wife's meal was very average. This is not an adjective I would use for the bill. The waiting staff very highly intrusive. They hovered. No sooner had a last mouthful been taken then the plate was whisked away.

I find it hard to accept sneering from waiting staff in a restaurant that overcharges for substandard food. My local takeaway deserves a hat rating more so than this establishment, and the staff need to learn some manners. A thoroughly unpleasant dining experience.

Nov 14, 2007

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  3     

We didn't have the churrascaria as we had people who didn't want it. The alternatives sounded appetizing, but were disappointing and very overpriced. The service left a lot to be desired, and we felt rather neglected. This is a large dining room, but still feels very cramped by the number of tables. NOT child-friendly!

Feb 12, 2008

8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Very tasty North African-style food with a great ambience to the place. Tasty vegetarian options. A good atmosphere to the place and seating makes this place fun. Child friendly and a good wine by the glass selection.

Feb 12, 2008

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

A busy, bustling place. A moderately-sized menu of great Vietnamese food. Very good value.

Dec 17, 2007

8.2 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I can't believe this place was so quiet on a Sunday afternoon when there was so much to offer. A quiet, cool dining room with tasteful decor, and a simple, yet elegant menu. All our food was very enjoyable and the waiting staff were lovely. Our 2 year-old was well looked after. An undiscovered Sunday dining gem.

Nov 26, 2007

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

When a restaurant has a hat from The Age, you want to go there. When they also recommend it as somewhere to have good food, and that will also be happy for you to take a child along, then it's a must. Someone was clearly having a laugh then, on both accounts. We arrived at the start of service, and when we explained that we did not have a reservation (we had been shopping nearby) a lot of discussion we could not understand prompted the request that we vacate our table in 90 minutes or less.

Clearly they must be very busy we thought. The threesome behind us also explained their lack of reservation, yet were ushered to a table without hesitation.
The other table received warm towels and drinks. We received stares. Eventually we were offered drinks, but no menus. This makes choosing food quite troublesome. Eventually they arrived. The other table was offered cutlery for those not adapt with chopsticks, my wife was invited to struggle.

I find it hard to look beyond squid as a starter once I see it there, so my choice was obvious. One that I regret. What little of it I did get was excessively oily and had the texture of tyre rubber. My main course chicken had a sauce, but no flavour. My wife's meal was very average. This is not an adjective I would use for the bill. The waiting staff very highly intrusive. They hovered. No sooner had a last mouthful been taken then the plate was whisked away.

I find it hard to accept sneering from waiting staff in a restaurant that overcharges for substandard food. My local takeaway deserves a hat rating more so than this establishment, and the staff need to learn some manners. A thoroughly unpleasant dining experience.

Nov 14, 2007

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We have been living in Melbourne now for 10 months, and this is quite simply the best dining experience to date. A moderately-sized but tempting menu of delights which when they arrive are beautifully presented, well-sized and of high quality.

The waiting staff were highly attentive, very friendly and yet never intrusive. We took along our well-behaved (thank goodness) 2-years old, and he was welcomed, entertained and his every desire catered for.

Although expensive, overall I cannot recommend this venue highly enough.

Nov 13, 2007

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We had the most fantastic lunch here. Leisurely paced, very friendly service. Wonderful wine list. Delicious authentic food. One mark off for reheating tarte tartin and poor coffee. But we would still love to go back.

Nov 06, 2007

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

Delicious meal in clean décor. Good choice and great specials. Nice wine list. Very child-friendly. Surprisingly expensive.

Nov 04, 2007

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  8     

Dark and dingy down a scruffy alley. Steep stairs. Good food, good choice. The frostiest service you could hope for, melts slightly when you tell them how good the food was.

Oct 21, 2007

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Visited on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and there were no more than 20 people here. Simple Japanese noodle and rice fayre, and tasty. Nicely done tempura. Reasonable value. Tolerant of a dreadfully energetic toddler.

Sep 30, 2007