phatinc

Reviews

Tom Yum Thai, Epping

Restaurants, Thai, Vegetarian, BYO, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.7 62

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 9

I regularly come here as it's got very delicious and satisfying food.

Jan 25, 2012

Kura, Haymarket

Restaurants, Japanese

Overall 7.4 58

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 9

I actually visit this restaurant regularly and again and again I have been very satisfied with my choice.

I can't really describe it, but the most I can say about the food is that it's good. It doesn't and never really ever goes beyond that. I mean to say that at the end of the day it's just ramen. It doesn't have a distinctive flavour like pho or a unique characteristic like ramyun, in the end it's just noodle soup. The soup never quite makes you drool and the noodles are good but the texture doesn't exactly excite me, the meat is tender and the tempura can never be called special.

Yet the fusion of these average ingredients will create the most magical experience. Something so simple will amaze you. Ultimately though, it's just ramen it's extremely satisfying. I'd recommend the Ultimate as it's got a little bit of everything.

I've also had the seared salmon sushi. Very nice. Smokey, as it's intended, combined with the light tanginess of the lemon it creates a wonderful taste in you mouth. It is quite cheaper than it's competitors but unlike the ramen, though slightly, I've had better. If I think about Kura, it's always the warm memory of the small corner restaurant, bringing shelter on a rainy day. I feel welcomed in it's small room filled with people happily devouring their meals. If you're ever eating here, stop for a moment, take a breath and look around, there won't be a displeased person in sight.

Dec 05, 2009

Capitano's Pizzeria, North Sydney

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza

Overall 7.6 32

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

Recently I realised that I'm not really a 'mains' type of person, I tend to lean more towards entrees as they are by far, the best part of the meal. Sometimes they're unique, sometimes they're delicious, sometimes both and this is what sets the opinion of the meal. If the entrees fail, then the meal can only get worse.

For entree, we got the garlic chili bread pizza. Quite surprising as it's in the shape of a pizza yet the base is the same as per a normal garlic bread. Not thick like a normal pizza base, yet still slightly fluffy, the perfect combination of garlic, chilli oil creating a magnificent fusion of flavors in your mouth. My only complaint from past 'garlic' pizzas was that they were not garlky enough. This was and for $5.50 what could go wrong. Garlic chili pizza bread: 9.5/10

For mains, I had the seafood pizza as well as the eggplant lamb pizza. Both were great, delicious with a generous helping of melted cheese. The seafood one was very salty, probably due to the anchovies, but then again I've never been a fan. Then again I'm not a fan of seafood, but it was good non the less. Though I can't help but wonder why the tails for the prawns were not removed and why the guts weren't as well. I'd be generous if I gave it an 8.

The lamb and eggplant combination was very good, howeve, the two didn't really feel compatible. Either there was a lacking of ingredients or the two were not meant to be, but each mouthful could only contain either eggplant or lamb. The lamb part was good by itself and the eggplant was also good by itself. The eggplant displaced the very distinctive and unique flavours of the eggplant, merging with the cheese to create a very simple yet delicious flavour. An easy 9.

Nothing out of the ordinary for restaurant style pizza (definitely better than the stuff you can find from fast food stores) and will give local stores a run for their money. Figuratively though, as the pizzas don't come cheap at up to $25 a pop, however, you can easily split one with a friend (as I did) making it much more economically viable, yet still satisfying non-the-less.

At the end of the day, service never kept us waiting and I was happy to fork over the amount displayed in the bill. I made a three hour round trip to this restaurant and only for the restaurant and I don't regret it. If you're in the neighborhood and feel like pizza, this place is highly recommended on my list.

Dec 04, 2009

Arthurs, Kellyville

Restaurants, Seafood, BYO, Licensed, Serves Dinner

Overall 6.4 49

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 7

I've been to this restaurant twice and it has already become one of my favourite places to visit. The fast and personal services combined with the freshness of the food leaves you satisfied and will definitely bring you back for more.

For entrees the seafood platter was interesting with the calamari and prawns made well. The soft shell crabs were moist and crunchy, lightly dabbed in a bit of tangy sauce adds the final punch to this delicious combo. However, these dishes would also leave an imposing impression on my wallet and would be only recommended as an entrée if you're a fan of seafood and taste plates.

The Caesar Salad was by no means the best I've ever had, but a normal dish to order as an entrée. As for the breads, the bruschetta was a nice addition, as was the garlic bread. In a sense, the entrée performed the role it was supposed to, letting the saliva form, giving you a foreshadowing of what to come (though not for a while).

For mains, I tried Italian Slow Cooked Lamb Sauce, called a regular favourite by the place, but not by me. Lacking a definitive flavour, it failed to appeal only filling in the space in the stomach without the added joy. 6/10. The Atlantic Salmon with Pesto Potato Mash and Caper Lemon Butter Sauce was interesting, the fusion of flavours playfully danced in your mouth, yet it still left the feeling that something was lacking. 7/10

Next was the Rump Steak. Wow. All I can say, is wow. Never have I had a Rump that was so overpriced for it's value. The deciding factor that lead to this final decision was the sauce. The sauce in my opinion is a very important part of this simple dish. The texture from the meat and the flavour from the sauce. The almighty sauce that would have to bring together heaven and hell failed even to appeal.

I've had 8 dollar steaks before that was better. Tender? Check. Succulent? Check. Delicious? No. At the end of the day, it was just a piece of meat without the required sauce. Mash was good though, but not worth the high price. 6/10

Continuing on is another pasta. The Gorgonzola, had it both times and instantly a favourite. The Italian Blue Cheese and Cream Sauce fits perfectly as the flavours mixed and melted in your mouth. Very creamy and very cheesy. So simple, yet so delicious. Try it with the gnocchi. 9/10

Finally, what I would have to say, hands down, the best dish of this restaurant (so far) would have to be: the Fish and Chips. So simple, so delicate, yet so mind-blowingly good. The freshness of the fish was at it's best. Never have I tasted such perfectly cooked fish. No fishiness, just pure, awesome, fresh fish. Add the tiniest bit of lemon and the fusion of flavours will leave you asking for more. The second part of this dish involves the chips which were also cooked spectacularly.

Exceptionally fried so it that it was perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, a real McCain's moment, only better. 10/10. Great decor, great service and delicious food nevertheless throughout my experiences at Arthur's, I've never had the perfect meal. Not to be deterred though in the end the highlights have always brought the culinary experiences to the surface, making these little trips very memorable. Grab some good company and try it with an open mind and I'm sure you'll have a great experience.

Aug 09, 2009

Arthur's Pizza, Randwick

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, BYO, Food Delivery

Overall 6.5 64

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 8

Good pizza, good service and good value. Add a little company and you're set to go. Also if you're in the neighbourhood and looking for something to eat after a movie, this place is recommended.

Aug 08, 2009

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Tom Yum Thai, Epping

Restaurants, Thai, Vegetarian, BYO, Serves Dinner

Overall 7.7 62

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 8 Value 9

I regularly come here as it's got very delicious and satisfying food.

Jan 25, 2012

Kura, Haymarket

Restaurants, Japanese

Overall 7.4 58

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 9

Dec 05, 2009

Capitano's Pizzeria, North Sydney

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza

Overall 7.6 32

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

Dec 04, 2009

Arthurs, Kellyville

Restaurants, Seafood, BYO, Licensed, Serves Dinner

Overall 6.4 49

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 7

Aug 09, 2009

Arthur's Pizza, Randwick

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, BYO, Food Delivery

Overall 6.5 64

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 8

Good pizza, good service and good value. Add a little company and you're set to go. Also if you're in the neighbourhood and looking for something to eat after a movie, this place is recommended.

Aug 08, 2009

El Jannah Restaurant, Granville

Restaurants, Lebanese, BYO, Serves Dinner, Serves Lunch

Overall 7.2 89

7.3 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 4 Service 7 Value 9

The chicken is delicious by itself but once you add the garlic sauce, it literally is like an explosion in your mouth of the perfect synergy of herbs, sauce and meat. Words do no justice to the awesomeness of this garlic sauce.

I rated food based on the best thing which I had at the restaurant (charcoal chicken and garlic sauce) with which would have scored alot less without the garlic sauce. The homos, tabouli and chips are all up to standard and nothing special, whilst the eggplant sauce tasted like smoke, quite nice but, just tasted like smoke.

I did not find the service lousy compared to other people. I mean what more do you want? Tell the guy what you want, he prepares it to the best of his abilities (along side recommending a few sides as obviously you can't just have chicken and garlic sauce), hand over cash, collect food, finish transaction. That's it.

Great value for take away (dine in is a lot more expensive for the same), so if you're in the area, looking for some take away with an excellent taste, get the chicken and garlic sauce combo. Highly recommended.

Jun 23, 2009

Parkview Pizza, Londonderry

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza

Overall 8.4 4

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 9

A small little pizzeria, literally in the middle of nowhere. A small secret hidden away from society, a surprise to all those that find it. Well prepared and delectable, the food did not disappoint the long travel time with excellent and friendly service to boot. A very nice experience, recommended for those who are already in the area.

I was suggested the Garlic Pizza as a starter and in my opinion, it was both the highlight and best part of the meal and it has to be one of those things that you should at least try once in your life. A light and fluffy base, topped with butter and garlic, filling the table with fresh aromas. To have something as simple as this, made so well, was just an unimaginable experience on the culinary senses.

For mains, I tried the Vegetarian, Four Seasons, House and Mexicana. These pizzas were well prepared, each ingredient creating harmonious synergy with the next. The House is good if you like sun-dried tomatoes and olives mixed with bocconcini, salami and other vegetables, an 8. Mexicana produced a deep impact on me, as when it was brought out, the fresh smell of ham created a powerful sensation in my mouth, a 8.5.

Four seasons has the main ingredient of prawns and whilst not my personal favourite, my friend loved it, a 7. The Vegetarian was nothing special, but still nice on it's own. For the meal, we were also provided a bowl of home made and prepared chillis, a very nice addition to the meal if you enjoy it a bit spicy.

This restaurant is highly recommended in my books not for the ridiculously long distance away from everything I know, but for it's variety, excellent service and quality of food, it has even got a great price to boot (roughly less than $15 per person with drinks). Finally, something that I cannot emphasise enough is that the pizzas must be had at the restaurant, unless you prefer them soggy (which ruined my last pizza experience although the restaurant were highly rated).

Jun 23, 2009

Cafe Ish, Surry Hills

Cafes, Japanese, Modern Australian, Hip and Trendy, Quiet

Overall 7 110

7.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 6

A very good cafe with more emphasis on organic and fresh ingredients than price. The service was extremely good and friendly. I tried their Wagyu burger, it was filled with rich flavors and the meat was very succulent. However, I was led to believe that this wasn't truly what Wagyu meat is supposed to taste like. I also tried the day special, the Croc curry. Tasted like chicken and the curry isn't anything special, especially at it's price. Their Wattle Moccacino is very nice.

Mar 02, 2009

Erciyes, Surry Hills

Restaurants, Middle Eastern, Turkish, BYO, Licensed

Overall 7.1 66

7.5 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 6 Value 9

A refreshing taste of Turkey not too far from the CBD, a little secret spot hidden away from the world by it's Coke advertising and the Kebab shop front.

Truly an amazing discovery bound to being you back for more. The mixed dips are a must, perfect for those vegetarians out there, beautifully presented in it's varying colours, each with it's own matching beautiful tastes (it is only too sad that eating this dish with your eyes won't satisfy the hunger in your stomach).

Combined with the freshness of the bread and pide, adding to the refreshing and rich flavors, it truly finalises this wonderful experience. And you haven't even started the mains yet. The mains, however, aren't as special, the chicken kebabs presented on a platter, colourful and exotic. Which really in the end are more or so just compliments to the wonderful bread and pide. The meat platter is not bad, the mushrooms are really full of vibrant flavors and much better than the actual meat in my honest opinion, pity they give so few.

I really couldn't care less about the decor, it's not an art gallery and I'm there to eat. Service is friendly, however, patience is also a key in enjoying this restaurant (bring a talkative friend along). Value for money is really excellent, you can fill yourself up fairly well with around $20pp.

Aside from that there really is nothing else to comment on, so if you love Turkish and in the neighborhood, you should definitely pay a trip to Erciyes.

Mar 02, 2009

Akaneya, Sydney

Restaurants

Overall 6.2 28

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

7 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 9 Value 6

I also agree with Classic_Indian's review as I don't know what the fuss is all about. You enter the restaurant without the distinct feeling of an authentic place to dine Japanese cuisine, although it is just a feeling, it also creates the mood of the meal.

Regardless of the ambience, the food is good, nothing is specially done, no creativity, and there should be non anyway because you're paying for a meal not something to look at while you feel hungry. Quantity shouldn't be a problem as they give ample rice, which would be questionable because the price is high for something so cheap and easily prepared. The warmed sake was also very nice and refreshing.

Service is excellent a quick question will give you answers like what would be a good entrée/combination with a main. While it is a bit pricey and the food could be better, if you're near the area, feeling a bit hungry then you'd might like to try something at Akaneya.

Jan 14, 2009