rainchaser001

Reviews

Restaurants, Modern Australian, BYO, Outdoor Dining

Overall 7.5 13

6.5 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 6 Value 6

Have been here for brekkie several times. I love the way they do their scrambled eggs - both ways are devine. A changing menu that is exciting and fresh. I also love how this place is on Glenayr Ave. and off the main drags in Bondi Beach, meaning you lose alot of the wankers and tourists. Sometimes I feel that the service is a bit slow, maybe they could do with another pair of hands especially on the weekend when this place gets busy and a bit cramped for space. Overall a cute little place that offers a great breakfast and other cafe fair. Though, I wouldn't say that this place is cheap!

Oct 10, 2006

European, The, Melbourne

Restaurants, European, Has Bar, Licensed, Outdoor Dining

Overall 7.4 46

7.5 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

Have been here a few times, this last occasion being the best. The service this time was excellent and although I only had an entree as a main meal, the foie gras was lovely. The light meal I so needed, after an all too big lunch. Sharded a few different cheeses that were on offer, as well as being nudged in the right direction with the wine by our waitress. A good quick meal before a show, that we were looking for, was found here.

May 12, 2006

Bondi Hotel, The, Bondi Beach

Bars

Overall 6.3 6

6.8 Recommended

Drinks 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 6

I know it's full of tourists but is worth having a look at as the view is great. A good place to go on your day off and have a beer (or five), get something small from the food counter/restaurant (it is a walk up, order and pay system) and read the paper or to meet someone for a cheeky drink before dinner out in Bondi.

The Balkan Seafood Restaurant does the food here now and it is awesome. It reminds me of the food on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia - really fresh seafood cooked on open fire, without much fancy business down to it and the food speaks for itself.

Get the squid or prawns, they both are cooked well and the taste is great, especailly, when washed down with a coldie. If you are feeing more like a carnivore, the cavapcici (which are really nice) or the raznici (nice but very small) should do the trick - once again a coldie comes in handy. I like the back bar on Curlewis Street (more towards Gould Street) during the evenings more so than the front bar. The bottle shop is bloody expensive, so do your take away shopping somewhere else. I have friends who have stayed here (the hotel/motel) and it is quite cheap, nothing flash but everything you need.

May 11, 2006

Thainabox, Bondi

Restaurants, Thai

Overall 7.5 14

7 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 4 Service 7 Value 9

This place is one of my favourites in Bondi for a quick meal. You can dine in on the long table (not too much room) or take away though I think the portion size is considerably larger if you dine in (them some big bowls!!). I recommend taking away during their busy hours as there is not much room to sit and dine in. Walk down to the beach with your take away box (your meal will be at the right temperature once you pull yourself up some sand) and enjoy a very good cheap Thai treat whilst, looking out into the abyss.

I love to have a quick lunch here, it is usually quiet after the lunch rush. Place my order and duck off across the street to the Bondi Hotel bottle shop and get a take away big boy beer to help wash down the spicy chow I am about to enjoy. The combination noodle meal, usually does the trick for me but sometimes when I am feeling a little piggish, I get something from the starters, usually something steamed as steaming is not how I commonly prepare food at home.

You will love it.

May 11, 2006

Elephant & Wheelbarrow, The, St Kilda

Pubs, Music Venues, English, Air Conditioning, Child Friendly Menus

Overall 5.8 6

5.4 Average

Food 5 Drinks 5 Ambience 5 Service 5 Value 7

These things are everywhere, been to four of them and although this is not my type of place, this is easily the best. English style pub (it does have an dark English pub feel to it) filled with back packers and people on the drink. The downstairs pub can get pretty busy, more of a standing pub. I have been told that the second floor is more nightclubbie and the upstairs definitely has more the English pub feel. The outside area can get packed for after work drinks and when summer springs around.

Captures a market for drinkers and people wanting pub grub. Have had breakfast here and on another occasion bangers and mash which were not bad. Remember the menu being full of pub food (great with some froothies) and also having a healthy option (nice one). More of a drinking crowd.

May 11, 2006

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Member since 2006

Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

Green's Cafe, Bondi

Restaurants, Modern Australian, BYO, Outdoor Dining

Overall 7.5 13

6.5 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 6 Value 6

Oct 10, 2006

European, The, Melbourne

Restaurants, European, Has Bar, Licensed, Outdoor Dining

Overall 7.4 46

7.5 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 8 Value 8

May 12, 2006

Bondi Hotel, The, Bondi Beach

Bars

Overall 6.3 6

6.8 Recommended

Drinks 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 6

May 11, 2006

Thainabox, Bondi

Restaurants, Thai

Overall 7.5 14

7 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 4 Service 7 Value 9

May 11, 2006

Elephant & Wheelbarrow, The, St Kilda

Pubs, Music Venues, English, Air Conditioning, Child Friendly Menus

Overall 5.8 6

5.4 Average

Food 5 Drinks 5 Ambience 5 Service 5 Value 7

May 11, 2006

Il Fornaio, St Kilda

Cafes, European, Italian, Vegetarian, Licensed

Overall 7.6 4

7 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

Great little place for a cheeky breakfast or a quick meal during the day. Have a lovely daily selection of goodies that you can choose from (all the traditional Italian fare that makes for good antipasto eating). The bread is very good and I believe that Circa (upstairs) uses the bread in their dining room so whatever that means!? probably that it is of a high standard. I personally like the olive bread yum!! The staff are helpful, fun, young, good looking and seem to be having a good time at work. Sit outside with a selection of goodies, a coffee or wine (oh yeah, you can get plonk here too!! bonus for that hangover), a paper and relax.

Plus as it is on Acland street and not Fitzroy street, it is a lot quiter and peaceful.

Enjoy!

May 11, 2006

Cervo, Southbank

Cafes, Italian, Vegetarian, Has Bar, Licensed

Overall 7.4 13

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

6.3 Average

Food 6 Ambience 8 Service 4 Value 7

Stopped in here with a friend, in between Commonwealth Games events at the Exhibition Centre and it was packed so the ambience was great, watching the mass "Exodus movement of the people" was interesting. Southbank was so busy and this was a great spot to people watch. Shared the oysters (the Asian inspired/flavoured dipping sauce was different for an Italian restaurant); the trio of dips (same old story here, still there was a lot of flavour); and a pizza (which I didn't mind - good price too).

I remember the restaurant having two wine lists, the general one and a premiun one, good to see (something for everyone). Enjoyed a bottle with the food which was followed by excellent coffees although we had to wait a good while for them.

The coffee was great but the service wasn't. I know it was the Commonwealth Games and all but didn't they know about this for some time and a packed place could afford a few more staff on at such a busy time? People in the restaurant looked like they were having a good time and that's what it's all about.

May 11, 2006

Melbourne Wine Room, St Kilda

Restaurants, Italian, Has Bar, Licensed, Outdoor Dining

Overall 7.5 11

6.8 Recommended

Food 7 Ambience 9 Service 4 Value 7

When in Melbourne, I often stop in The Melbourne Wine Room for a drink or twenty with friends. The wine room is situated in a perfect spot in St Kilda, right where the tram stops. It is almost as if the place calls you name as you take the right turn from the light rail "Mark, Mark, Red Wine, hurry up" The old George has been here since before Luna Park - well it looks that way, a coat of paint would not go astray. That said, it is one amazingly beautiful building and it has an air about it that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside especially after a few reds.

My one grudge is the service. If it is a wine room, how come when I go to the bar to ask for a recommendation, it seems like it is always a hassel to get a bar person from somewhere (I don't know where as this sometimes takes a few minutes) who knows anything about wine - a few wine courses could with a coat of paint would make this a fine place.

Apart from that, you can get the whole kit and caboodle here--drink/s, ambience/drinks/atmosphere/drinks/run into a few old friends or make some new ones/drinks/and food. Martini's food has definitley trimmed down, making it happier, lighter, and gearing more towards the sexier side of Italian cooking--not so much Nona's food here. I have noticed this change over an 18 month period and I think that it is welcomed--more room in the old belly for that wine, now if only I could find a sommelier with a paint brush.

May 09, 2006

Taxi Dining Room, Melbourne

Restaurants, Asian Fusion, Good For Groups, Degustation Menu, Good Wine List

Overall 7.6 46

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 10 Service 9 Value 8

Although a friend of mine is the manager here and he took amazing care of us (thank you Scotty), I honestly have to say that this was one of the best dining experiences that I ever have had in Melbourne, possibly Australia. It was just so much fun.

Location, location, location--what a location--Federation square. Had a few drinks downstairs (Transport Bar) to wet the lips before being greeted and led to the bar for a cheeky glass of personality (bubbles). Here, I took the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and ambience which there is plenty of whilst being able to view into the kitchen and see the kitchen staff (Michael Lambie included (good to see)) hard at work, sometimes a bold move by the restaurant but I think it important with a Japanese influenced restaurant and does go well with the sense of openness and nothing to hide attitude that Taxi has). The dining room has lots of openness and space although you may be seated close to the next table, it doesn't really feel close and the bustle of the dining room takes over and you don't feel as though you have to whisper (al la Circa).

The "young" sommelier was well educated (beyond his years) and hit the nail on the head with the three bottles of wine that he chose for us. As well as the lovely tasting dishes, Beef and Pork Belly which were stunning (thank you Scotty). We shared two entrees, Oysters - the day's special (the crab meat dressing was stunning) and the Seared tuna (with a lovely mint and honey ginger dressing - YUM, the tuna was seared perfectly).

For the main meal we shared the "Jo Moriawase" (a beautiful journey of sushi and sashimi with every bite tasting better than the last) and the roast breast of duck with crispy fried leg (can anyone say "juicy" - this bad boy was crispy on the outside but incredibly juicy on the inside - cooked, oh, so well). Ok, so I saved the best to last - the dessert. We went with the Taxi chocolate plate for two -make sure you do too (trust me on this one). Chocolate, five different ways!!

I know that the cooking technique here is no French masterpiece but Lambie sources the freshest and best produce and lets the produce speak for itself with minimal but perfect preparation and cooking - the nothing to hide attitude shining through. Well done. For two right around $400.

May 09, 2006

Claude's, Woollahra

Restaurants, French, Vegetarian, BYO, Citibank Dining Program

Overall 7.5 90

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 8

Having both wanted to eat at Claude's for some time. My sister and I finally spent a dinner there a few Tuesdays ago after wetting our lips and taste buds with a few post work drinks at the Paddington. One can easily be forgiven for walking past and missing the restaurant all together (even the ringing of the door bell and waiting to be greeted and let into the restaurant might throw you off) however, the food that is served will quickly fix that all up and have you wanting to come back as quickly as it takes you to walk past the restaurant.

As foodies, we opted for the tasting/degustation menu which when read gives nothing away; it is as simple as the decor, which to me works. The traditional French dishes have been stripped back a bit and have an Asian feel to them (obviously, head chef Chui Lee Luk's influence), although being simple, there are many different parts to each dish (if this makes sense?). The entree style dishes had more of a French feel to them. The Saffron Bouillon was very yummy and a great way to start, The Cavier Snow Egg reminded us of a dish our mother made when we were young and the Crisped Zucchini Flower was also enjoyable. The more main type dishes, the Freshwater Crayfish (which I found hard to fault), the Duck with press sauce (brought back some memories of La Tour d'Argent in Paris, was truly mouth watering and the sausage served with it was devine as well), the Angus Fillet (which was my sister's favourite was also stunning and went down very easily) had more of a Asian feel to them-- a sense of being very light. One fault, although our seating was at 8pm, I felt that our dishes were somewhat rushed on to us (kitchen staff wanting to get out), a little bit more time in between dishes would have been nice and would have given us a bit more time to enjoy the BYO plonk.

Although we brought a few bottles of our own wine, we were treated with decanting of the 1992 red and were even shown our bottle/s each time our lovely Japanese waiter (who was excellent at his job) proceeded to refill our glasses. I was hoping for some kind or palate cleanser or sorbet before dessert ,which did not come, but once I tried the refreshing Avocado Pear Ice, I understood why. There was no need as this dessert did the job, as well as offer a beginning of a sweet end to the night...simply divine. The second dessert, the Vanilla Souffle, I felt had too much going on and could have lost either the figs or the chocolate sauce, or maybe the customer could be allowed to serve themselves these sides to a lovely souffle rather than having the wait person do so.

As good as the food was, I don't think that it's worth $165 a head (but I think the tasting menu has more value than the 3 courses dinner menu). Claude's does definitely deserve its 3 hats rating and we had an amazing night. Enjoyed the little things (that make a difference), fresh bread, pepper grinders on the tables, fresh towels in the bathrooms etc. Sydney's 5 or 6 best restaurant. Will go back for sure.

May 01, 2006