pepper_bird

Reviews

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Tapas, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.7 79

8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 8

We went here for New Years Eve and had a wonderful time. We had specifically requested to be seated away from smokers and after initially being sat on the terrace next to a group of about 8 smokers creating quite a haze we were promptly moved. The staff were extremely polite and professional at all times. We were seated upstairs in the lovely dining room. There were disco balls and fresh roses suspended from the ceiling and we were giving a glass of champagne on arrival.

Each table had a popper and NYE joke. Our waitress was flawless. Very attentive, fun and friendly. I thought the service was efficient and matched the mood of the night. The food was quite good and what we expected. We shared a starter plate of oysters, mushrooms, seared tuna and salad, it was quite nice. The main of lobster was very nice, the lobster was very fresh. Our shared dessert of bomb alaska was delicious. We shared a cocktail jug of pimms and lemonade, $25 for a glass and a half each seemed pretty economical to me.

The wine list is quite good, some very nice drops presented in a very cute menu. We had a bottle of chandon rose which was quite reasonably priced. Restaurants never serve at bottle shop prices and I didn't find the prices here OTT. We had a very fun night enjoying the music, food, ambience and service thoroughly. We were lucky to be seated with a great group of people also and there was lots of laughing and merriment, the perfect NYE!

Jan 02, 2010

Tastevin Bistro & Wine Bar, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Bars, French, Modern Australian, Good For Groups

Overall 8.6 66

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 6 Value 8

I visited this restaurant again recently with some French friends and while the food was excellent the service was still uneven. There is one particular waiter who seems to live to clear tables even though you may not have finished your wine or meal.. The owners are trying very hard but it is not a flawless evening. Go for the good food but take your patience and a sense of humour! You'll need both.

Previous review - We were quite excited to try this restaurant based on all the good reviews. We were greeted by a smiling waitress and seated promptly. The restaurant is a beautiful space with a lovely ambience. The waitress gave us our menus immediately and offered to get water for the table.

It did take half an hour before our order was taken and by then we were definitely ready for some food. We finally ordered bread, gnocchi, beef and the baked chevre.

Unfortunately, at 8.40 pm on a Saturday night they had run out of bread. Very apologically we were offered complimentary nuts and olives. Appreciated but we actually wanted bread (and curiously as we were being told there was no bread the table across from us received their bread and later when I went to the bathroom passing the kitchen there was a large baguette clearly visible...). No idea what that means.

The gnocchi was delicious as were the mains. The desserts were equally as moorish. This restaurant has a very french, charming atmosphere, the service is friendly but quite inefficient. We were there for more than 3 hours which is quite European but we couldn't shake the feeling that there was preferential treatment to certain tables.

All good restaurants should know a successful restaurant cannot exist on the 'buddy' system alone. Also for a restaurant of this calibre after spending over $150 between 2 it would be nice to have some acknowledgment on leaving. A "goodnight", "thanks" or head nod would have sufficed. I know, I'm a demanding patron.

Overall we didn't have a terrible experience and the food is very good, however, the uneven service lets them down. I'm not meaning to be harsh but I expect a little more or at least expect the same service my other patrons receive.

Jan 02, 2010

Chinta Ria The Temple of Love, Sydney

Restaurants, Malaysian, BYO, Child Friendly, Entertainment / Music

Overall 6.6 224

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

I dig this place. It's fun, it's funky, it's very Malaysian! I love the design, the retro tableware, circular room and big windows. We always choose our moment to go here as they don't take bookings but sitting outside waiting with a view of Cockle Bay isn't a bad way to kill 20 minutes.

The food is great, Satchmo Squid should become a regular item. Sambal fish is nice and spicy. Okay wines. Good food quality, it's pricier than your local thai but your local thai isn't situated in Cockle Bay. The big Buddha is awesome, my mum always lights an incense stick. This restaurant is almost always jammed packed and with good reason.

Oct 11, 2009

Blue Eye Dragon, Pyrmont

Restaurants, Chinese, Taiwanese, Child Friendly, Private Room

Overall 8.2 84

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 8

After trying to book here unsuccessfully 3 times we managed to get a table for 4 walking by one night. I was a little concerned about the value of this restaurant but was pleasantly surprised. The food is really high quality and while the dishes are not experimental or highly original they are well structured with good flavours. The servings are generous. The service was very attentive. The restaurant can get quite noisy as it's full almost every night but it's a great dining experience. The food is quite exceptional.

Oct 11, 2009

Wako Japanese Restaurant, Sydney

Restaurants, Asian, Japanese, Seafood, Fine Dining

Overall 7.1 23

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 7

I really like this restaurant. It's beautifully designed and has funky, modern decor. The service is always friendly and a bit fun at times. The calamari karaage is so good I could live off it. The kingfish is nicely spiced and good quality. The udon is divine, slippery, well formed noodles in delicious broth, like a warm hug in your stomach. Sapporo on tap and a good selection of sake. This is not a cheap quickstop noodle shop. This is higher end Japanese dining where you go to savour the atmosphere and thoughtful, high quality food.

Oct 11, 2009

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Member since 2006

Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 26 reviews

Winery, The, Surry Hills

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Tapas, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.7 79

8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 8

Jan 02, 2010

Tastevin Bistro & Wine Bar, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Bars, French, Modern Australian, Good For Groups

Overall 8.6 66

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 6 Value 8

Jan 02, 2010

Chinta Ria The Temple of Love, Sydney

Restaurants, Malaysian, BYO, Child Friendly, Entertainment / Music

Overall 6.6 224

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

Oct 11, 2009

Blue Eye Dragon, Pyrmont

Restaurants, Chinese, Taiwanese, Child Friendly, Private Room

Overall 8.2 84

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 8

Oct 11, 2009

Wako Japanese Restaurant, Sydney

Restaurants, Asian, Japanese, Seafood, Fine Dining

Overall 7.1 23

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 7

Oct 11, 2009

The Olive & Rose, Whale Beach

Cafes

Overall 8.5 13

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 10 Service 10 Value 10

Made the pilgrimage to the Northern Beaches today and decided on this little spot. It used to be Whaley’s and is now an organic café. The sun was shining so we sat in the charming courtyard out the front. It was a little chilly but the café supplies you with a funky blanket which we thought was a lovely personal touch.

You order and pay inside and a waitress brings out your food. We both had burgers- I had lentil, my hubby the beef and hot chocolates to warm ourselves up. The food arrived quickly and in generous proportions. The chips were awesome! Hand cut and delicious. Our burgers were also very nice. Extremely fresh and healthy tasting. We finished off with coffees and just sat back and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere.

I have to say I really can’t fault this place. It’s a casual and relaxing eatery where there’s no rush or fuss and it was exactly what we needed. They obviously take pride in their commitment to providing healthy organic food with a friendly smile and they do so with success. I thought the price was on par with the better quality gourmet cafes in Newtown and Glebe, and therefore very reasonable.

I am really looking forward to returning- hopefully for breakfast next time and I’m really excited to go back in Summer and have a good lunch and a swim- gorgeous Whale Beach is just around the corner! A great café.

Jun 22, 2008

Almond Bar, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, Middle Eastern, Citibank Dining Program, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.2 70

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 8

Celebrated Valentine's Day night here earlier this year. It was a lovely experience. We were a little nervous at first as it was very full but almost as soon as we walked in a table walked out so we were lucky and seated immediately. I thought the service was very good. They were friendly and attentive but not intrusive in any way. We had multiple mezza and two of the largest cocktails I have ever seen, diablo tequila I think, quite delicious.

The three different kinds of almonds served in the beginning is really cute, I loved the chilli ones. I thought the food was extremely moorish and the servings were quite large for mezza. Coffee was great and the homemade baklava was very fresh and tasty. While I've paid considerably less for similar dishes in Bankstown this is a chic, beautifully decorated eatery in Darlinghurst so it's going to cost more. At the end of the night I was happy with everything including the bill.

Jun 17, 2008

Flying Fajita Sistas, Glebe

Restaurants, Mexican / Latin American, BYO, Licensed, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.2 172

7.5 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

I was very impressed with this restaurant. It has a really down to earth, goodtime feel. The wait staff were really friendly and helpful. The trio of three dips with home made corn chips were divine as were the tasty margarita. My enchiladas with onion and chillis was exactly what I wanted, cheesy, rich comfort food for a cold night. My hubby enjoyed his fajoles tacos though the presentation could have been a little better, won't mention what the refried beans looked like from my angle!

My only criticism would be the music, it was a bit weird eating mexican to MJ's "Thriller" in the background. Some Spanish music would have been a little more authentic. Regardless I had a really good time here, the creme brulee special was a real treat, I could have tap danced on the toffee top! Highly recommended for a casual dinner.

Jun 17, 2008

Bambini Trust Cafe Restaurant, Sydney

Cafes, European, Mediterranean, Licensed, Outdoor Dining

Overall 8.1 57

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 6 Ambience 10 Service 10 Value 7

I really enjoy coming to Bambini but I have never had a decent main meal here. The entrees are great and it's worth going for the affogato alone but the mains are just okay - I'm constantly disappointed with what I order.

However they have great wine and I simply adore the atmosphere of the restaurant - very NY. The service is wonderful and I always have a great time here - I just can't find a main to my liking. It's a great catchup/ business/ birthday venue. Fab ambience.

Jun 16, 2008

WAQU, Crows Nest

Restaurants, Japanese, Modern Australian, Hip and Trendy, Romantic and Intimate

Overall 8.1 290

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 8

Love this place especially the soft shell crab taco and the gorgeous sake cocktails. The service is always really friendly and polite but often all over the place and a bit confused which I can forgive them for. Nice looking restaurant with a very happy and hip atmosphere. Food never comes out together or at the right time but hey- gives us all time to try another cocktail.

My one complaint is the constant arguing and fighting to reserve a table only to arrive at the restaurant and not find it full. It's not only perplexing but frustrating considering the 40 minutes drive I have to endure to get there. Anyway, I'm still a fan and like to rave about this place and drag all my friends there.

Jun 16, 2008