roberrrt

Reviews

Vineyard, The, Crows Nest

Restaurants, Cafes, Modern Australian, Has Bar, Has Cafe

Overall 7.4 70

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.8 Average

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 2

I should start with the positives of this experience last Friday night – the two courses we had tasted magnificent. I had the Fishermans Risotto (mussels, prawns, and calamari) and my partner the Beef Cheeks and Red Wine Tagliatelle.

The flavours were strong and delicious, leaving a definite craving for more. The Beef Cheeks were to die for. The side salad also great, with a superb dressing.

However, the rather small size for a main also was the key reason we craved for more. One dollop smaller and you would describe it as a slightly generous entre. It’s a pity that for the sake of an extra 150-200 grams of food both dishes would have been deemed a main course. Remember that is a risotto and a past dish, so 2/3rds of both would be rice or pasta, not a high cost.

Then the real problem came, we decided to share a cheese plate for one, $19, as a way to have a top up and then maybe order a fortified wine to sit up the back in the lounge area.

The cheese platter that came was shockingly small even for one person. It comprised of only 3 pieces for cheese a tiny piece of quince 5 walnuts and an eighth of an apple sliced finely and presented in a fan shape. 2 triangle wedges of cheese were only 2-3 cms at the base and 3-4 cms long, the third was 1-2cm x 6cm. The quince was barely 2x2 cm, if that.

I reconstructed it at home afterwards, not much more than 40grams of cheese, at best. I thought we were in a comedy sketch sending up big plate, small food restaurants.

We considered our position deeply on this before doing anything, we tried to take a photo but the camera phone didn’t have a flash.

It wasn’t a funny situation to be in, as it smacked of gross rip-off and an insult to common sense. I know cheese is not a low cost ingredient but I have never seen such a disproportionate discrepancy between price and result. This was on top of the small main dishes.

We decided on sending it back as simply even inadequate for one. This was the first time we have ever sent anything back.

Within a couple of minutes the manager came back with the plate, put it on the table and remonstrated with us quite loudly that we were rude to send it back and that having ordered it we should eat it. That he would be putting in on our bill in any case.

We thought further and refused to touch it on principle, but paid the bill which included the cheese, rather than have a full bore argument in a restaurant that was only about a quarter full on a Friday night. No wonder. The bill was $122 including a bottle of wine.

This place is attempting to fill a niche in a market that doesn’t exist, rich people with no appreciation of value and anorexic appetites. It was an interesting one off experiment that shall always remain a one off, as obviously we won’t go back.

I am genuinely mystified by some of the other higher value ratings.

Apr 02, 2012

Bon Gusto Pizzeria Trattoria, Petersham

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, Hip and Trendy, BYO

Overall 6 14

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.5 Below Average

Food 3 Ambience 5 Service 7 Value 3

Sorry, to say but I am very surprised by the relatively high ratings this place gets for its food. Not justifiable. Firstly a correction to the information schedule....Corkage is $5 per bottle.

Garlic prawns in Oil, only 4 medium sized prawns in hot -not sizzling- oil in a standard bowl. It lacked the extra oomph this recipe normally gets from some paprika and chilli flakes. Very bland.

The bread with it was rather textureless and although warmed up was very close to McDonalds burger bun bread. Salmon Pasta - was the Grand Disappointment, a large bowl of pasta with a subtle flavour so subtle as to be bordering on flavourless. But I saw at best only 4 small chunks of Salmon (0.5cm square). You could complain, but the kitchen staff making this stuff knows whats going in, under the budget and guidance of the senior staff. So, I will make my mark here, instead.

My partner had the Veal in Lemon and Oil...nice subtle flavour but way too much oil.

Total Bill was $80 including a greek salad, which was Ok. Considering the average person only makes $25 hr after tax that is 3+ hours of hard work for
a very mediocre meal. This place must be struggling a bit, below average food with minimum cost ingredients and on a Friday night only barely half full.

Mar 17, 2012

Chedi Restaurant, Newtown

Restaurants, Asian, Thai, BYO, Food Delivery

Overall 7.8 110

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 10

We have been 6 times over the past 2 years - Amazing value and food quality. Every dish we have tried has been a great surprise and unique flavours. I saw another review comment on cantonese undercurrent - well whatever it is, it works. Every aspect of this restaurant works and value is 10/10.

The black pepper duck is to die for and the other dishes are all excellent. In fact it makes dining at other Thai restaurants a challenge since they cannot match the flavour creativity.

You could argue that this is potentially the best restaurant in Sydney based on the creativity, quality and value. I know that's a tall order but across the menu their choices are all good - it's hard to say that about other restaurants. And the service is great, although when it gets crowded it slows down a bit. I was tempted to give this place 10/10 across the board, but some may think I was lacking any objectivity.

I have been in quite a few up market restaurants - and they should use Chedi Thai as a standard to match before assuming they can charge what they do for what they serve. Never been disappointed here.

Dec 29, 2011

Flying Fish, Pyrmont

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Seafood, Vegetarian, Fine Dining

Overall 7.3 313

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 10 Value 7

This is a fine dining experience where the wallet will be lighter at the end, but it is better than many others. We went there for a special occasion (Nov 09) and were not disappointed. The location and views are great, the service was excellent. The menu is limited but interesting, with a fascinating combination of flavours.

The seafood tapas was delicious as a starter, and pan fried kingfish also very good. Whiting entree was rated as perfect by my partner. The cheese platter where you choose 3 overseas cheeses was great and enough for 2. They could brush up on their coffee making, however, and bring the petit fours with the coffee, not 20 minutes later. But it was very late so I will let them off, this time.

Overall for a fine dining experience, with a good view, well worth it.

Nov 22, 2009

Pellegrini's Cafe, Balmain

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Seafood, BYO

Overall 6 59

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 7

I am surprised by the other mixed reviews. We tried this place apprehensively but have been delighted all 3 times we have been. The food is substantial with good portions and the menu choice is very good. They do not attempt to be overly creative because the concept is straight forward seafood. Service was very good as on one day we asked to move out of the hot sun and were accommodated very well.

The seafood platter is everything you would expect and it doesn't fail to deliver. The atmosphere and location is good. The Maori waitress is the best. Saw another review and have to agree, its a "cafe" so relax and enjoy the total package, if you want Michelin go elsewhere.

Feb 03, 2009

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Last updated on 1st Jun 2012

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Displaying: 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

Vineyard, The, Crows Nest

Restaurants, Cafes, Modern Australian, Has Bar, Has Cafe

Overall 7.4 70

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.8 Average

Food 9 Ambience 7 Service 5 Value 2

Apr 02, 2012

Bon Gusto Pizzeria Trattoria, Petersham

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, Hip and Trendy, BYO

Overall 6 14

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.5 Below Average

Food 3 Ambience 5 Service 7 Value 3

Mar 17, 2012

Chedi Restaurant, Newtown

Restaurants, Asian, Thai, BYO, Food Delivery

Overall 7.8 110

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 9 Service 9 Value 10

Dec 29, 2011

Flying Fish, Pyrmont

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Seafood, Vegetarian, Fine Dining

Overall 7.3 313

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 9 Service 10 Value 7

Nov 22, 2009

Pellegrini's Cafe, Balmain

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Seafood, BYO

Overall 6 59

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 9 Value 7

Feb 03, 2009

glass brasserie, Sydney

Restaurants, Modern Australian, Family Dining, Fine Dining, Good for Brunch

Overall 7.5 225

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.5 Average

Food 5 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 2

This was my first time and my partner's (who is a foodie) third time. Frankly disappointing, I didn't think the menu had much to choose from, I ordered the pork fillet which was very chewy. I didn't want to make a fuss but at $47 I should have sent it back. When I was later asked how it was I was polite but honest and the response was that since I ate 90% of it, it must have been ok. My partner then divulged to me that on the two previous occasions she had been members of the table all had something that wasn't really good enough but didn't want to make a fuss.

So three strikes your out. And there you go, yet another overpriced location that doesn't justify the image. The decor is nice and that is what you pay for and Luke's moniker but I doubt that he's supervising.

Jan 27, 2009