mischiefmaker

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I loved everything about this place - from the decor which managed to be intimate and romantic despite being a pretty large space - to the music - and the staff. really on the ball without being too in your face. I have lived in Sydney for 10 years and I have to say this is the best restaurant I have ever been too - and we eat out a lot. The food was incredible - the pork melt in your mouth and the crackling perfect, the lamb ribs tasty and sweet. And the vegetables were spot on too especially the green beans. I never normally eat dessert but could not resist - the pavlova was spot on, and the creme caramel simply amazing - the only slight odd dish was the special which had blue cheeze involved and perhaps should not have. We went upstairs after dinner and had another drink. Left feeling full, but not horribly so after dining out at so many supposedly great Sydney restaurants. To sum up - you have to go!

May 05, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

We went for breakfast on a Friday. It was pretty quiet but there was only a barista on, who seemed more intent on making coffees than saying hello or giving us a menu. I had to stand up twice to get his attention. When his coffee came it was not worth the wait, bitter and burnt. As for the food, well my husband's big brakfast was great, the toulouse sausage beautiful.

But my omelette, surely a dish any respecting French cafe has to nail, was overcooked. Not fluffy in the slightest. All in all a big disappointment. And the toilets were dirty and need a paint job.

Mar 11, 2011

5.3 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  3     

When the best food of the evening is the bread, you know you are in trouble. I went to Sean's a few years back and loved everything about it, location, decor, service and the food. However, this time was very different. I had the pippis for entree and at over $40 you would expect perfection, instead I got rubbery overcooked ones.

My main of fried chicken on a chickpea puree was so bland, no obvious spices or flavour. Admittedly it was well cooked but at again well over $40 you'd expect better than just average fried chicken. I had chicken last week at a charocal place in Fairfield for less than $20 for the whole chook and the flavour there was intense, maybe the chef should head out west for some inspiration. The accompanying coleslaw was also pretty unispiring. My two friends also thought their meals were pretty ordinary, soup, and the rare beef.

Accompanying vegetables were fine, if again uninspiring. Pls Sean put some spices, herbs in your cooking! By this point we had paid well over the odds so just headed off to an icecream shop for some affordable and tasty dessert. Yet again another Sydney institution which needs a kick up the arse, overseas visitors must be in shock at our prices and standards.

Mar 11, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  7     

The oysters with anchovy butter were heaven as was the mixed seafood plate. The tempura was also divine and the fish was very fresh. All in all, the best Japanese I have eaten in Sydney and well worth the trip from the Eastern Suburbs.

May 03, 2006

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I loved everything about this place - from the decor which managed to be intimate and romantic despite being a pretty large space - to the music - and the staff. really on the ball without being too in your face. I have lived in Sydney for 10 years and I have to say this is the best restaurant I have ever been too - and we eat out a lot. The food was incredible - the pork melt in your mouth and the crackling perfect, the lamb ribs tasty and sweet. And the vegetables were spot on too especially the green beans. I never normally eat dessert but could not resist - the pavlova was spot on, and the creme caramel simply amazing - the only slight odd dish was the special which had blue cheeze involved and perhaps should not have. We went upstairs after dinner and had another drink. Left feeling full, but not horribly so after dining out at so many supposedly great Sydney restaurants. To sum up - you have to go!

May 05, 2011

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

We went for breakfast on a Friday. It was pretty quiet but there was only a barista on, who seemed more intent on making coffees than saying hello or giving us a menu. I had to stand up twice to get his attention. When his coffee came it was not worth the wait, bitter and burnt. As for the food, well my husband's big brakfast was great, the toulouse sausage beautiful.

But my omelette, surely a dish any respecting French cafe has to nail, was overcooked. Not fluffy in the slightest. All in all a big disappointment. And the toilets were dirty and need a paint job.

Mar 11, 2011

5.3 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  3     

When the best food of the evening is the bread, you know you are in trouble. I went to Sean's a few years back and loved everything about it, location, decor, service and the food. However, this time was very different. I had the pippis for entree and at over $40 you would expect perfection, instead I got rubbery overcooked ones.

My main of fried chicken on a chickpea puree was so bland, no obvious spices or flavour. Admittedly it was well cooked but at again well over $40 you'd expect better than just average fried chicken. I had chicken last week at a charocal place in Fairfield for less than $20 for the whole chook and the flavour there was intense, maybe the chef should head out west for some inspiration. The accompanying coleslaw was also pretty unispiring. My two friends also thought their meals were pretty ordinary, soup, and the rare beef.

Accompanying vegetables were fine, if again uninspiring. Pls Sean put some spices, herbs in your cooking! By this point we had paid well over the odds so just headed off to an icecream shop for some affordable and tasty dessert. Yet again another Sydney institution which needs a kick up the arse, overseas visitors must be in shock at our prices and standards.

Mar 11, 2011

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  7     

The oysters with anchovy butter were heaven as was the mixed seafood plate. The tempura was also divine and the fish was very fresh. All in all, the best Japanese I have eaten in Sydney and well worth the trip from the Eastern Suburbs.

May 03, 2006