misscandles

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

I have wanted to try the La Renaissance for some time now, and finally made it there for lunch today.

I had the croissant with ham & cheese. It was squashed, so couldn't really taste the flakiness of the pastry I usually love when I have croissants. My friend and I shared 2 cakes - I think they were both the Fleur De Lys, one in choc and the other raspberry. They were both nice, but I think we should have had 2 different cakes. Having 2 different mousse style cakes is a bit boring, but the waitress recommended them.

Nice little courtyard, but I love the Rocks so not sure why you would want to be hidden away from the area anyway. Food was nice, but I don't think I'll be rushing back there. It just didn't have the special or wow factor about it for me.

Sep 06, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Had late dinner and drinks at Bloodwood last night. It's a great place for dinner and or just drinks. I really liked the ambience of the place and staff were wonderful. I'd heard wonderful things about Bloodwood, but, unfortunately, food didn't live up to expectations!

We had the mushroom dish, squid salad and polenta chips. All were just ok, but nothing special. Even though I didn't enjoy the food I would definitely give them another shot and try other things on the menu. Service staff are lovely and very helpful and accommodating. And it's still a good place compared to what else is on offer in Newtown.

Jun 18, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Dined with my family here as Mum is a great fan of Luke Nguyen. We had the $66 set menu, and left with very full bellies! The food was average though, not enough kick or spice for my palate, but more bland. No standout or memorable dishes unfortunately.

The service was great, Luke Nguyen was even there. Mum was very excited to meet him, and he was lovely. Food was overpriced for what it was, as I think there are better restaurants out there. But nonetheless it was a good night, I probably just wouldn't return to dine there again.

May 10, 2011

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

I really don't get the fuss with Bills. I have been to Bills 3 times now, first time for breakie in Woollahra, and then once for dinner Surry Hills, and most recently at Surry Hills again.

I was there for a friend's birthday breakfast this time around. I'd read in an SMH article that the sweet corn fritters were a must-try dish here, unfortunately, they were actually really bland and boring. And for the third time around at Bills I left feeling disappointed with the food and not really getting what the fuss with this place is, while produce may be fresh the food just isn't anything special. There's queues out the door, but I can think of many many other better places for breakfast.

Service was fine, as was ambience. Reasonably priced, but when you don't enjoy your food when dining out it all seems like a waste doesn't it? I've given Bills 3 chances now, so I won't be returning again.

Mar 01, 2011

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Delicious dinner at Sushi-E on the weekend. It was my first time there, and it was the perfect dining experience. It's a small intimate restaurant, great for dining with another person but perhaps not as a group experience due to the layout. Most the tables surround the chefs who are working their magic, with only 3 or 4 tables by the window. The food was beautiful and fresh. Standout dishes I highly recommend were: tasting spoons, scallops, soft shell crab & mango and the green tea cheesecake was lovely to finish off the delicious meal. The only dish I wasn't a big fan of was the balmain bug sushi. All staff - from door host, to waitress and chefs - were fantastic. Attentive, warm and friendly! The total bill for two people came to just $185 - we had so much food we were bursting at the seams, and 2 cocktails. I agree with the reviewer below the drinks are pretty pricey at about $20ish per cocktail, but no complaints at all for the pricing of the food. It was worth every cent, and I can't wait to return.

Feb 22, 2011

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

I have wanted to try the La Renaissance for some time now, and finally made it there for lunch today.

I had the croissant with ham & cheese. It was squashed, so couldn't really taste the flakiness of the pastry I usually love when I have croissants. My friend and I shared 2 cakes - I think they were both the Fleur De Lys, one in choc and the other raspberry. They were both nice, but I think we should have had 2 different cakes. Having 2 different mousse style cakes is a bit boring, but the waitress recommended them.

Nice little courtyard, but I love the Rocks so not sure why you would want to be hidden away from the area anyway. Food was nice, but I don't think I'll be rushing back there. It just didn't have the special or wow factor about it for me.

Sep 06, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Had late dinner and drinks at Bloodwood last night. It's a great place for dinner and or just drinks. I really liked the ambience of the place and staff were wonderful. I'd heard wonderful things about Bloodwood, but, unfortunately, food didn't live up to expectations!

We had the mushroom dish, squid salad and polenta chips. All were just ok, but nothing special. Even though I didn't enjoy the food I would definitely give them another shot and try other things on the menu. Service staff are lovely and very helpful and accommodating. And it's still a good place compared to what else is on offer in Newtown.

Jun 18, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Dined with my family here as Mum is a great fan of Luke Nguyen. We had the $66 set menu, and left with very full bellies! The food was average though, not enough kick or spice for my palate, but more bland. No standout or memorable dishes unfortunately.

The service was great, Luke Nguyen was even there. Mum was very excited to meet him, and he was lovely. Food was overpriced for what it was, as I think there are better restaurants out there. But nonetheless it was a good night, I probably just wouldn't return to dine there again.

May 10, 2011

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

I really don't get the fuss with Bills. I have been to Bills 3 times now, first time for breakie in Woollahra, and then once for dinner Surry Hills, and most recently at Surry Hills again.

I was there for a friend's birthday breakfast this time around. I'd read in an SMH article that the sweet corn fritters were a must-try dish here, unfortunately, they were actually really bland and boring. And for the third time around at Bills I left feeling disappointed with the food and not really getting what the fuss with this place is, while produce may be fresh the food just isn't anything special. There's queues out the door, but I can think of many many other better places for breakfast.

Service was fine, as was ambience. Reasonably priced, but when you don't enjoy your food when dining out it all seems like a waste doesn't it? I've given Bills 3 chances now, so I won't be returning again.

Mar 01, 2011

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Delicious dinner at Sushi-E on the weekend. It was my first time there, and it was the perfect dining experience. It's a small intimate restaurant, great for dining with another person but perhaps not as a group experience due to the layout. Most the tables surround the chefs who are working their magic, with only 3 or 4 tables by the window. The food was beautiful and fresh. Standout dishes I highly recommend were: tasting spoons, scallops, soft shell crab & mango and the green tea cheesecake was lovely to finish off the delicious meal. The only dish I wasn't a big fan of was the balmain bug sushi. All staff - from door host, to waitress and chefs - were fantastic. Attentive, warm and friendly! The total bill for two people came to just $185 - we had so much food we were bursting at the seams, and 2 cocktails. I agree with the reviewer below the drinks are pretty pricey at about $20ish per cocktail, but no complaints at all for the pricing of the food. It was worth every cent, and I can't wait to return.

Feb 22, 2011

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  3     

What a disappointment! Firstly with our booking, I made a 6.30 pm booking, and asked if we would need to be out by a certain time. I was advised this wasn't the case, and if this was to change I would be contacted. Upon arriving at Sake we were told we needed to leave by 8.30 pm.

Service was cold and aloof from the moment we arrived. The door girl wasn't really abrupt and lacked warmth, and our waiter was huffing and puffing while he served us. Maybe he was having a bad day, but that's certainly not my problem as a diner of Sake.

The food comes out really quickly, but it's just such a shame that a restaurant of this calibre (the chefs hat) would have such bad service. I think good service should be a given from hatted restaurants and those in Sake's price bracket.

Now the food, well I had high hopes for the food, and was hoping this would be the redeeming element of the restaurant. The food was good, but just didn't live up the the hype and expectations. I had the kingfish with jalapenos, S express, spider maki rolls, and chocolate fondant. All dishes were fresh and presented nicely, but they just weren't anything special or memorable.

The restaurant is nice, and has a good ambience, but I certainly won't be returning to Sake as the food and especially service were disappointing. For the poor service, and value vs food, I think there are many better restaurant options out there.

Feb 13, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I had dinner at Foveaux last week, and absolutely loved it. Each course was spectacular, I had the pork belly for entree, mulloway for main, then dessert (my favourite dish and highly recommend), strawberry parfait with peppermint tea jelly and strawberry sorbet. I was in food heaven! The restaurant is a lovely setting for an intimate dinner. And service was fabulous too. I really couldn't fault a thing about Foveaux! I will definitely be back to Foveaux for dinner again, and to the bar downstairs.

Jan 27, 2011

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

I've been here a few times now, and it's definitely one of my favourite lunch spots in Sydney. The food is always beautiful, my favourite is the linguine with pangrattato. Just divine. The place has a great energy about it, but I just hate the big queues and having to wait for a table on weekends. I wish they took bookings!

Jan 27, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  9     

I love District Dining! I have eaten here a few times now, and each time the food has been absolutely delicious. My favourites would be the beetroot and sumac entree, and the pork belly. Divine! They also have a good variety of cheese, and the great wine list.

Service has been fabulous when dining in there, but I dropped a few stars off because when trying to organise a function I have found the lady I was dealing with to be quite dismissive on the phone.

Jan 25, 2011

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  5     

I've been to Spanish Fly twice now, and my verdict is boring food, terrible service. First time I went there was a Friday evening, food and service were average, but they were busy so the service wasn't a huge issue in my mind. Went there again recently on a Saturday so it was very quiet. The staff act as though service (even getting the menus) is a huge inconvenience. There were also bugs in 2 of the drinks we ordered. Food was average, with the exception of the meatballs. They're delicious!

Jan 15, 2011