martina1

3 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

A leopard doesn't change it's spots, I can't think of a better way to sum up the Black Pony Cafe.

The senior staff used to run The Stockmarket Cafe at Leura. Great food at both places, however, the terrible, rude service makes the Black Pony a no go zone for me.

It is such a shame, you would have thought they would have paid attention to the terrible feedback they got in Leura and worked on training up their staff before moving locations and starting again.

Maybe the senior staff just doesn't care but I think they will find they can rely less on one off tourists here and locals just aren't going to put up with plates being slammed down and completely unhelpful rude service. I gave it a go but like my opening sentence stated, nothing has changed here.

May 31, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

This was just such a great find for us and we have been back so many times now. Once you eat pizza like this you are ruined!

The pizza is definitely what you go here for, amazing authentic bases and very good quality toppings. The pastas are great too but a little on the small side and you will wish you had gone with a pizza. I think the starters are overpriced and we haven't ordered them again since our first visit as the pizza is very filling.

Great desserts and wine list and I love the many Italian accents you hear from the wait staff.

Mar 12, 2012

6 Average

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  5     

My second visit to The Book Kitchen last weekend was similar to my first, sensational food but a terrible system of seating people.

We went for brunch and had a table of 7 so knowing they didn't take bookings we got there 20 minutes before the rest of our group. We were told 25 minutes, after 50 minutes and hassling the waiter we finally got a table but were treated as though we were being unreasonable to complain.

If we had been told 50 minutes up front we would have gone somewhere else. It is very very frustrating when cafes/restaurants will not take bookings for larger groups. I understand not doing it for 2 or 4 but standing in the hot sun with 7 hungry people is annoying.

However, the food is amazing, I just love the menu and every person at our table raved about what they had. I had the fried eggs on sourdough with white asparagus, pesto and truffle salt. It was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had and the quality of the produce they use is obvious. Some of the best coffee around too.

We will be back but never again in a large group unless they change their booking policy.

Mar 12, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

I just love this place, it has been consistently fantastic for years and years.
Awesome Turkish food for very reasonable prices. The freshly made turkish bread and mixed dips is a must, I could eat it every day. The pides and mains are so so good, everything fresh and authentic. The same friendly staff have been there forever and the belly dancers on weekends are lots of fun. It's loud and casual but a great place to take your family or a big group. I love a place like this that you know will never disappoint.

Feb 07, 2012

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

We have been to Whitewater many times over the past few years and have always found both the food and service to be really good quality. Today was a massive disappointment.

We waited 45 minutes for our lunch, when we asked where it was we were told by a very surly waitress that they were very busy and how long ago did we order it? No apology or 'I will check for you'. When it did come my guest's chicken was raw inside, another dish came out cold when it wasn't supposed to be so we sent it back and the other two dishes were poorly cooked and extremely overpriced for what we got.

The dish we sent back did not turn back up so we asked for both it and the chicken dish to be removed from the bill. The waiter informed us there were new owners and he himself was about to walk out.

Such a stunning location, very disappointing that what used to be a very nice restaurant on the waterfront is now very poor. We certainly won't ever be going back.

Jan 22, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  8      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

A leopard doesn't change it's spots, I can't think of a better way to sum up the Black Pony Cafe.

The senior staff used to run The Stockmarket Cafe at Leura. Great food at both places, however, the terrible, rude service makes the Black Pony a no go zone for me.

It is such a shame, you would have thought they would have paid attention to the terrible feedback they got in Leura and worked on training up their staff before moving locations and starting again.

Maybe the senior staff just doesn't care but I think they will find they can rely less on one off tourists here and locals just aren't going to put up with plates being slammed down and completely unhelpful rude service. I gave it a go but like my opening sentence stated, nothing has changed here.

May 31, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

This was just such a great find for us and we have been back so many times now. Once you eat pizza like this you are ruined!

The pizza is definitely what you go here for, amazing authentic bases and very good quality toppings. The pastas are great too but a little on the small side and you will wish you had gone with a pizza. I think the starters are overpriced and we haven't ordered them again since our first visit as the pizza is very filling.

Great desserts and wine list and I love the many Italian accents you hear from the wait staff.

Mar 12, 2012

6 Average

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  5     

My second visit to The Book Kitchen last weekend was similar to my first, sensational food but a terrible system of seating people.

We went for brunch and had a table of 7 so knowing they didn't take bookings we got there 20 minutes before the rest of our group. We were told 25 minutes, after 50 minutes and hassling the waiter we finally got a table but were treated as though we were being unreasonable to complain.

If we had been told 50 minutes up front we would have gone somewhere else. It is very very frustrating when cafes/restaurants will not take bookings for larger groups. I understand not doing it for 2 or 4 but standing in the hot sun with 7 hungry people is annoying.

However, the food is amazing, I just love the menu and every person at our table raved about what they had. I had the fried eggs on sourdough with white asparagus, pesto and truffle salt. It was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had and the quality of the produce they use is obvious. Some of the best coffee around too.

We will be back but never again in a large group unless they change their booking policy.

Mar 12, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

I just love this place, it has been consistently fantastic for years and years.
Awesome Turkish food for very reasonable prices. The freshly made turkish bread and mixed dips is a must, I could eat it every day. The pides and mains are so so good, everything fresh and authentic. The same friendly staff have been there forever and the belly dancers on weekends are lots of fun. It's loud and casual but a great place to take your family or a big group. I love a place like this that you know will never disappoint.

Feb 07, 2012

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

We have been to Whitewater many times over the past few years and have always found both the food and service to be really good quality. Today was a massive disappointment.

We waited 45 minutes for our lunch, when we asked where it was we were told by a very surly waitress that they were very busy and how long ago did we order it? No apology or 'I will check for you'. When it did come my guest's chicken was raw inside, another dish came out cold when it wasn't supposed to be so we sent it back and the other two dishes were poorly cooked and extremely overpriced for what we got.

The dish we sent back did not turn back up so we asked for both it and the chicken dish to be removed from the bill. The waiter informed us there were new owners and he himself was about to walk out.

Such a stunning location, very disappointing that what used to be a very nice restaurant on the waterfront is now very poor. We certainly won't ever be going back.

Jan 22, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

After driving past this restaurant so many times I finally made a booking to check it out.
I was so so impressed. There is a lovely daily menu based on what is seasonal (how we should all cook) and all the pasta is made fresh. We shared a mixed bruschetta to start which was served on home made italian bread, sensational.

We both had a pasta, gnocchi with burnt butter sage sauce and spinach and ricotta ravioli with burnt butter sage sauce. It was so so good, just like what I ate in Italy, good quality produce with simple fresh flavours. Most of the staff are Italian and the chef came out for a chat which we loved. I highly recommend it, we will definitely be back!

Jan 22, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

We went to Billy Kwong's for dinner recently with friends. It was one of the best culinary experiences of my life. Our waiter was so friendly and helpful that we all waited to shake his hand and thank him personally before we left. Yes the tables are small but it is all part of the experience. We put our name down at the door and then went for drinks while we waited to be called. The food was just so beautiful I can't stop talking about it. We had crispy skin duck with poached plums and a chicken dish loaded up with fresh herbs. The entree's were excellent too. Between four people we had three entree's and three mains and ended up with way too much food. The staff insist on you taking home the leftovers. We had such a great time, all the hype is true, this is an essential eating experience for all lovers of food!

Mar 05, 2011

6.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  8     

This is one of those places that you don't want to share! The food is just so good. The chilli basil noodles are the best I have ever had, my husband always has the pad thai which he loves. Sensational fresh beautiful food. Very basic furniture and avergage service but the food keeps you coming back. This is a great place for take away or a quick mid week dinner.

Mar 05, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

Fresh is one of my favourite places to visit in the Blue Mountains. I would go so far to say that I would drive from the Northern Beaches just to have the ricotta hotcakes for breakfast. I am really surprised by the negative reviews, I have been eating here regularly for many years and have never had a bad experience, I am very fussy about coffee and it is always good.

The last time I was in the mountains I ate at the Stockmarket Cafe where I experienced the worst service I have ever come accross at a cafe, when I walked around the corner to buy some coffee beans from Fresh it was like walking out of the darkness into the light, the door was opened for us, we were greeted like old friends and chatted away about the different beans they sell. I will be back next month and can't wait for my Fresh breakfast fix!

Mar 05, 2011

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

I am surprised this local gem doesn't have some better reviews. This place has been in Freshwater for a long time. The owners are hardworking super friendly people who offer really good value for money. There is no shortage of good thai on the northern beaches but this place is always really busy. You need to book for a friday/saturday night and it can be a bit noisy. The chilli jam noodles is one of the best thai noodle dishes I have ever had at a thai restuarant and we have eaten all over Sydney. It is not the most innovative menu but if you are looking for good food, lots of fresh vegies and friendly staff then look no further. They also do a great lunch special.

Mar 05, 2011