kinkynun

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

Have been here pre movie for a quick bite before... We ordered the salt and pepper squid and the breads and dips as well as risotto balls (from memory:-).
Everything came out very quickly which was great, and we really enjoyed it all. The glasses of Pinot we ordered were divine!!! The bill was $90 for a relatively small meal though which was a bit disappointing! I'd go back, but its not my first choice for a pre movie bite!

May 30, 2008

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

I was lucky enough to be treated to a fantastic Valentines Day meal at Rae's whilst in Byron Bay last week. We were staying at Watego's at a property in the hills, so owing to our beautiful surroundings, this made perfect sense for a idyllic romantic night out.

Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to secure a booking the day before Valentines Day at such a popular Byron eating destination. The booking was at 630pm however (a little earlier than I usually like to eat, however at such short notice, one cant be too picky!). The earliness of the booking allowed us to watch the sun go down however, so this wasn't at all a problem for me.

We arrived, and were seated at a table on the balcony. Rae was also tucked up inside at a small table with two female companions (i spotted him straight away!!)

This is when the staff portion of my rating comes in to play... The waitress didn't pull my chair out, she just pointed at a table and said "Thats yours".

When we decided we wanted a champagne to start (the Billycart - try it, its FANTASTIC) we were given a bottle which accidentallly ended up being shared between us and the table next to us... (They ammended this problem however...) and we were shared by 3 waiters/waitresses, two of which had no idea what they were doing... The little guy was great.. Arrogant, but thats part of his appeal.

The entree came out (we both ordered the same thing) and I cant rave about it enough: the sashimi - blue fin tuna... It was a stacked sashimi, unlike anything ive ever had the pleasure of eating before... So fresh, it melted in your mouth. It had a lemongrass marinade, and this just heightened the already beautiful natural flavour of the fish... To die for!!!!!

This was followed by a blue fin tuna steak (mine) and crab dumpling green curry (him) with a side of Kumera Mash. Taste sensations, all of them.

The wine we had to accompany was a particularly nice red, which was ruined somewhat by the waiter pouring the whole karaffe into our half empty glasses and ruining its ability to breathe properly.... which was also dissapointing but not enough to ruin the night.

The food at rae's is amazing. The service is pretty sub standard. With some silver service waiters, they could definately be up there with the best in Australian restaurants. The eccentricity of the head waiter (and his competence, could have saved the night, but he shared our table with staff that wholeheartedly admitted that they'd worked there only an hour and half... ;-(

I will go back again when I am in town however... Give it a go! Its certainly a special night out!

Feb 18, 2008

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

I have had some amazing meals at Terroir over the years. The food, ambience and staff are always a pleasure. Darren Ho is the Head Chef here and he is a lovely guy, with a talent and vision for his menu.

I will be back when in the Hunter Valley next...

Feb 01, 2008

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  6     

Went here for a lunch with my Father and family for his birthday. They frequent the cafe, being Mountains locals, and rang its praises to me. I had a pleasant enough experience, although they REFUSE flat out to change a thing on the menu. All I asked for was some chicken on a salad and they refused. That doesn't fly in my book, so it ruined the experience some what. I may go back (apparently the breakfasts are to die for). But not anytime soon. The gallery is amazing though!

Jan 08, 2008

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went here for a friends 35th birthday a few weeks ago. Had a lovely experience.
We had the private dining room, around 25 guests and a set menu. For starters a variety of breads and oik was placed on the table. I had a gorgeous main of salmon on a tomato concasse which my boyfriend scarfed most of. I will be going back.

Oct 24, 2007

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

Have been here pre movie for a quick bite before... We ordered the salt and pepper squid and the breads and dips as well as risotto balls (from memory:-).
Everything came out very quickly which was great, and we really enjoyed it all. The glasses of Pinot we ordered were divine!!! The bill was $90 for a relatively small meal though which was a bit disappointing! I'd go back, but its not my first choice for a pre movie bite!

May 30, 2008

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

I was lucky enough to be treated to a fantastic Valentines Day meal at Rae's whilst in Byron Bay last week. We were staying at Watego's at a property in the hills, so owing to our beautiful surroundings, this made perfect sense for a idyllic romantic night out.

Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to secure a booking the day before Valentines Day at such a popular Byron eating destination. The booking was at 630pm however (a little earlier than I usually like to eat, however at such short notice, one cant be too picky!). The earliness of the booking allowed us to watch the sun go down however, so this wasn't at all a problem for me.

We arrived, and were seated at a table on the balcony. Rae was also tucked up inside at a small table with two female companions (i spotted him straight away!!)

This is when the staff portion of my rating comes in to play... The waitress didn't pull my chair out, she just pointed at a table and said "Thats yours".

When we decided we wanted a champagne to start (the Billycart - try it, its FANTASTIC) we were given a bottle which accidentallly ended up being shared between us and the table next to us... (They ammended this problem however...) and we were shared by 3 waiters/waitresses, two of which had no idea what they were doing... The little guy was great.. Arrogant, but thats part of his appeal.

The entree came out (we both ordered the same thing) and I cant rave about it enough: the sashimi - blue fin tuna... It was a stacked sashimi, unlike anything ive ever had the pleasure of eating before... So fresh, it melted in your mouth. It had a lemongrass marinade, and this just heightened the already beautiful natural flavour of the fish... To die for!!!!!

This was followed by a blue fin tuna steak (mine) and crab dumpling green curry (him) with a side of Kumera Mash. Taste sensations, all of them.

The wine we had to accompany was a particularly nice red, which was ruined somewhat by the waiter pouring the whole karaffe into our half empty glasses and ruining its ability to breathe properly.... which was also dissapointing but not enough to ruin the night.

The food at rae's is amazing. The service is pretty sub standard. With some silver service waiters, they could definately be up there with the best in Australian restaurants. The eccentricity of the head waiter (and his competence, could have saved the night, but he shared our table with staff that wholeheartedly admitted that they'd worked there only an hour and half... ;-(

I will go back again when I am in town however... Give it a go! Its certainly a special night out!

Feb 18, 2008

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

I have had some amazing meals at Terroir over the years. The food, ambience and staff are always a pleasure. Darren Ho is the Head Chef here and he is a lovely guy, with a talent and vision for his menu.

I will be back when in the Hunter Valley next...

Feb 01, 2008

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  6     

Went here for a lunch with my Father and family for his birthday. They frequent the cafe, being Mountains locals, and rang its praises to me. I had a pleasant enough experience, although they REFUSE flat out to change a thing on the menu. All I asked for was some chicken on a salad and they refused. That doesn't fly in my book, so it ruined the experience some what. I may go back (apparently the breakfasts are to die for). But not anytime soon. The gallery is amazing though!

Jan 08, 2008

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Went here for a friends 35th birthday a few weeks ago. Had a lovely experience.
We had the private dining room, around 25 guests and a set menu. For starters a variety of breads and oik was placed on the table. I had a gorgeous main of salmon on a tomato concasse which my boyfriend scarfed most of. I will be going back.

Oct 24, 2007

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Oh my god. I have been trying to get in this place forever!!!! Its the best food I have had in ages. We had a cocktail to start: PARADISO (make sure you get it)....
Its Pineapple, Passionfruit and vodka (42 below) MAN wat a cocktail...

Food wise: we had the salt and pepper squid, edamame beans, the stuffed zucchini flowers (YUUUUMMO), the dips... Even though we had a fairly sparse meal. Everything was the bomb. I had a ball. The staff were hot too and when you ordered something, it came straight away. I love that. The bill was about $200 (we drank a lot hehe). The food was cheap tho... and there was 3 of us. I am sooo going back sometime very soon.

Oct 24, 2007

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

Went here with my boyfriend for a late brekky / early lunch and I can say I won't be going back anytime soon (so the boy will have to eat there alone as he likes it hehe).

We came at a rather busy time it seemed. The cafe was buzzing with people which is usually a good sign.. After placing an order and being advised it would be a 20mins wait for our food) I soon discovered the cafe was busy because it takes them so dammned long to bring you the food...

After 45miins of waiting, we asked politely when we could expect food. The waiter was very rude and advised my boy that we would get our food when our order was finished "you see how many we have" he said and pointed at the array stuck to the counter So we waited another 10 mins and finally our meals arrived, a chicken, ava, olive, fetta and tomato salad for me and a sourdough, poached eggs and mushroom plate for him.

The couple next to us that had arrived 35 mins after us got their food at the same time which annoyed me no end as we had just been waiting so long. The salad was revolting. The poached chicken was chewy and fatty, there were way too many tomatoes, 3 olives, and not enough avocado. I don't remember seeing any fetta... The dressing was totally unremarkable.

He seemed to enjoy his food. I gave up on the salad and tore the corners off his sour dough which was the best bit of my meal.. The service was disappointing, the food was bad, it was cold inside and I won't be back anytime soon. Sorry guys, I just didn't like it.

Oct 13, 2007

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Have run past this place most nights for about a year now, and was very pleased to finally get to try it a week ago with my boy for breakfast. It's a little tiny cottage, set off Bronte Road, and as soon as you step through the gate, you automatically feel as though you are going to a friend's place to eat.

There are options of outside seating or indoor. We chose indoor simply because it was freezing outside at that stage. Sitting inside had a plus to it also, because it had an open fire in each room (which I love, it reminds me of my parents house in the Blue Mountains). The staff is a little intrusive (popping into the room and making really loud comments to nobody in particular) but she is harmless enough!!!

The menu has some really nice options on it for breakfast. I got a vegetarian breakfast and my boy go something similar, but with bacon on the side... The tables are big enough to stretch a paper out on (yessss!!!) and the seats are big and comfy. The price of the meal was quite reasonable, and we left saying that it's quite the hidden gem in Bondi Junction, and we can't wait to go back!

Aug 06, 2007

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  8     

Went here for breakfast with some of my girlfriends on Saturday morning. Trio has always come with a bit of a warning from people that its expensive, but really good food, so I rang 4 days in advance to book a table, and secure a place by the window (which when I called was assured I would get...). When I arrived Saturday, I was put at a table behind a pillar!!!!!!! which I can overlook, but all the staff kept bumping in to my chair.

I ordered, and the waitress had a REALLY hard time understanding me, backpacker obviously!!!! But eventually we got everything ordered and waited on the food. I got black Polish rye toast, with avocado and some mushrooms on the side, which was everything you'd expect from a simple toast meal. My girls got, the truffle infused scrambled eggs, which she said was divine, then another had the banana bread, which she liked but said it was really rich, one had the porridge, which she liked and one had the full breakky with the lot. She scoffed it.

So the food wasn't outstanding, but wasn't bad either. The pineapple juice I got was nice, with infused mint. The bathrooms were repulsive for a restaurant that states it is of a certain calibre. But hey, its Bondi, every restaurant seems to have repulsive bathrooms! The bill was massive, but again, I was expecting this. All in all, not a bad experience, but certainly not my favoured place in Bondi.

Aug 06, 2007

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

I have been to Manta many times over many years and have always had a very pleasant experience. The one thing that they have changed which they NEVER should have changed was the TASTING PLATTERS. They used to have them on an entree, mains and dessert basis, however, they seem to have scrapped them in favour of large meals, which for me don't cut the mustard with their selection as much as they used to.

In saying this, I went there last Thursday night with a good mate of mine and had a lovely evening. Mainly because of the staff. Our waiter was particularly attentive and even ended up making us up a cocktail that wasn't on the list. We had a mixed entree (which was lovely, especially the risotto balls) and then a share seafood platter, which wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

I also got some truffle infused chips, which certainly didn't taste at all different from your normal run of the mill chips! But as I mentioned, our waiter certainly saved the night. They have a FANTASTIC cucumber martini on the menu too, which I would recommend trying!

Aug 06, 2007