seansation

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Apologies but unfortunately this is going to be a long and not complimentary review. It's a pity there aren't zeros in the ratings as this restaurant doesn't even deserve a 1.

We dined here last night having purchased a Scoopon voucher. We took along a couple of bottles of bubbly as we were only entitled to one glass of wine each on the voucher.

There seemed to be confusion from all the floor staff the moment we walked in (not a good first impression as we haven't been here before, abandoning our regular Thai haunt on this one occasion). When we were acknowledged at the front desk we were asked if we had a voucher and asked to hand it over, more confusion ensued then we were shown to our table. We sat and were ignored for at least 20 minutes with 2 bottles of chilled bubbly still sitting on the table.

I asked one of the waitresses if we could see some menus to which they were literally thrown down in front of us, our wine still sitting on the table. Another long delay and our orders were finally taken. We ordered entrees and mains with some extras plus steamed rice which again rattled our waitress as this was an added extra not included with the voucher deal. I explained we were happy to pay extra. I had to ask for our wine to be put in the fridge and if our 2 glasses of wine which we were entitled to could be brought out.

Entrees arrived and were put in front of us, but no plates, cutlery or napkin and no sign of any being brought to us so I had to asked if we could have our cutlery, plates and some napkins. Still no wine though. So I got up and went to the front desk to enquire about our wine. A terse response was received from the waitress that it was coming. Ten minutes passed and still no sign of our wine. Again I got up and politely asked terse waitress if our wine could be brought out to us. Five minutes later and our wine is finally brought out.

Mains were brought out and were not as ordered. Again another kerfuffle while they tried to figure out what they had done (we ordered cashew nuts in the Pad Siew and they were put on the other main we ordered). Terse waitress brought the docket over to us and tried to say that is how we ordered it... sorry to say but we know how we ordered it. A bowl of what looked like uncooked cashew nuts was brought out and asked if this will do. My partner said it would have to by the looks of it. I asked if one of our bottles of bubbly could be brought to the table with 2 glasses.

Terse waitress said she would get it. Terse waitress started serving people behind the counter who were leaving totally forgetting about us (again) and our wine. I could still see it in the fridge that she put it in and I felt like going and getting it myself. Very disgruntled at this stage, so again I get up and go to terse waitress and ask if our wine could be brought to us some time before we left for the evening. Another wait, and then i saw her talking to another waitress who brought to our table both our bottles with 2 wine glasses (not champagne flutes) and left without even opening one of our bottles.

I was boiling at this point and asked another waitress if her manager was around as we weren't happy with the service we had received. She said she was out in the kitchen and she would go and get her. I saw someone come out of the kitchen and our table was pointed to. Then another waitress came over and said that she was sorry but the manager on duty was not in fact on duty and asked us what the issue was. So I proceeded to tell her about the lack of service and mistakes with our meal etc. She apologised and said her name was Amy and said to ask for her next time we go and she can give us a discount. I said thanks but there won't be a next time. She apologised again and left.

As we were entitled to dessert we thought we would wait and see how long it took for someone to come and give us a menu and take our order. At this stage the restaurant was emptying and still no dessert menus. I then saw an older gentleman giving orders to the waitresses so I called him over to our table and asked if he was a manager/owner. He said he was the owner. I told him we were just advised there was no manager/owner on duty and proceeded to explain the mockery that we had experienced. I also stated that we don't demand perfect service but we do demand at least basic service and that we hadn't even received basic service. I also told him not one of his floor staff was pleasant which meant we (the customer) don't find the experience to be a pleasant one.

They don't smile or engage with you, throw menus down and walk away, as if they don't want to be there. I told him there was one particular waitress that if I was him would sack on the spot. He proceeded to explain how hard it is to get staff etc... and that he was sorry again for the poor (more like lack of) service we received. I said we still hadn't had anyone come over and show us dessert menus and we were waiting to see how long it took. He apologised again and said he would get someone over to us right away.

Anyway, we ordered apple pie and ice cream and this was brought to us promptly, so promptly in fact that my partners apple pie (if you could even call it an apple pie as it was a flat piece of pastry no higher than 5mm, how they get apple in there I don't know) was uncooked. So we just let both desserts sit there until the ice cream had melted and the manager/owner came over to us obviously wondering why we hadn't touched them. I pointed out my partners excuse for apple pie was raw and he poked and prodded it before acknowledging it was. We declined another dessert as we just wanted to get out of this nightmare. I just wish it wasn't a prepaid Scoopon voucher as I would have been walking out and not paying a cent.

Feb 25, 2012

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  5     

A group of 8 of us used to be regular customers here until recently as they do a rather good coffee. However the service the last time we went was severely lacking. As it was lunchtime on a freezing winters day there were no tables available inside, so we sat at the tables in the laneway. When a table became available inside we proceeded to move that way only to be told in no uncertain terms by the barista that because we were only ordering coffee, we would have to stay seated outside. Needless to say we have now found a new coffee place that welcomes their customers to sit inside to enjoy their coffee. I would give them a zero for service if I could.

Jul 13, 2011

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

We have followed Tanya and Jenny (the chef) from Limelight restaurant. We actually tracked them down as we always enjoyed the food at Limelight until they both left to open their own restaurant. We are fortunate to have found them at In & Out as we believe the food is even better now. Vegetarian spring rolls are fresh and crisp, Massaman Curry always a hit, Soft Shell Crab a favourite of ours and we can never go past Pad See Ew. The service is quick and cheerful or if you want to sit and take your time there is no pressuring you to finish and leave. We have been going weekly since they opened which is a testament to this restaurant. In & Out never disappoints. A bonus is you can finish your meal then do your shopping at Woolworths across the lane.

Oct 21, 2010

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Gem and I discovered Limelight shortly after they opened after getting quite sick of the plethora of mundane Thai restaurants around the area. I actually went right off Thai food until we discovered this little gem. We have been returning almost on a weekly basis since so no need to tell you that they do it better than the rest.

The food is so fresh (the best vegetarian spring rolls we've had), the vegetables crispy and they will spice your dishes how you like it. I like mine hot and when I ask for spicy most places I still need to add chilli, this is not so at Limelight. Gem can't go past their Pad See Eww, whilst I've tried just about their entire menu with my favourites being the Massaman lamb shank, Penang and Yellow curry chicken all spiced up of course!

The service is always prompt and courteous, wine and water glasses constantly filled, favourite dishes and how you like your coffee etc all remembered. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with ample outdoor seating for alfresco dining on those warmer nights. I like the fact that the tables are generously spaced with plenty of room to move around or for parents to push prams through. They have not tried to fit as many tables in there as they can to the detriment of your enjoyment and getting in and out.

The location is good, out of the hustle of Kirribilli in the little village at the bottom of Clark Rd opposite Anderson Park. Thanks Limelight for making our weekly dining experience a pleasurable one.

Jan 31, 2010

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Had a wonderful night at Borruso's last Sunday evening. Everything about the experience was impeccable. Didn't try the pasta but the pizza's were as described in previous reviews, perfect! Do yourself a favour and try it for yourself, oh and be sure to finish with the Banana Flambe. As I write this thinking about the amazing pizzas, I think we will go again tonight.

May 23, 2009

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Apologies but unfortunately this is going to be a long and not complimentary review. It's a pity there aren't zeros in the ratings as this restaurant doesn't even deserve a 1.

We dined here last night having purchased a Scoopon voucher. We took along a couple of bottles of bubbly as we were only entitled to one glass of wine each on the voucher.

There seemed to be confusion from all the floor staff the moment we walked in (not a good first impression as we haven't been here before, abandoning our regular Thai haunt on this one occasion). When we were acknowledged at the front desk we were asked if we had a voucher and asked to hand it over, more confusion ensued then we were shown to our table. We sat and were ignored for at least 20 minutes with 2 bottles of chilled bubbly still sitting on the table.

I asked one of the waitresses if we could see some menus to which they were literally thrown down in front of us, our wine still sitting on the table. Another long delay and our orders were finally taken. We ordered entrees and mains with some extras plus steamed rice which again rattled our waitress as this was an added extra not included with the voucher deal. I explained we were happy to pay extra. I had to ask for our wine to be put in the fridge and if our 2 glasses of wine which we were entitled to could be brought out.

Entrees arrived and were put in front of us, but no plates, cutlery or napkin and no sign of any being brought to us so I had to asked if we could have our cutlery, plates and some napkins. Still no wine though. So I got up and went to the front desk to enquire about our wine. A terse response was received from the waitress that it was coming. Ten minutes passed and still no sign of our wine. Again I got up and politely asked terse waitress if our wine could be brought out to us. Five minutes later and our wine is finally brought out.

Mains were brought out and were not as ordered. Again another kerfuffle while they tried to figure out what they had done (we ordered cashew nuts in the Pad Siew and they were put on the other main we ordered). Terse waitress brought the docket over to us and tried to say that is how we ordered it... sorry to say but we know how we ordered it. A bowl of what looked like uncooked cashew nuts was brought out and asked if this will do. My partner said it would have to by the looks of it. I asked if one of our bottles of bubbly could be brought to the table with 2 glasses.

Terse waitress said she would get it. Terse waitress started serving people behind the counter who were leaving totally forgetting about us (again) and our wine. I could still see it in the fridge that she put it in and I felt like going and getting it myself. Very disgruntled at this stage, so again I get up and go to terse waitress and ask if our wine could be brought to us some time before we left for the evening. Another wait, and then i saw her talking to another waitress who brought to our table both our bottles with 2 wine glasses (not champagne flutes) and left without even opening one of our bottles.

I was boiling at this point and asked another waitress if her manager was around as we weren't happy with the service we had received. She said she was out in the kitchen and she would go and get her. I saw someone come out of the kitchen and our table was pointed to. Then another waitress came over and said that she was sorry but the manager on duty was not in fact on duty and asked us what the issue was. So I proceeded to tell her about the lack of service and mistakes with our meal etc. She apologised and said her name was Amy and said to ask for her next time we go and she can give us a discount. I said thanks but there won't be a next time. She apologised again and left.

As we were entitled to dessert we thought we would wait and see how long it took for someone to come and give us a menu and take our order. At this stage the restaurant was emptying and still no dessert menus. I then saw an older gentleman giving orders to the waitresses so I called him over to our table and asked if he was a manager/owner. He said he was the owner. I told him we were just advised there was no manager/owner on duty and proceeded to explain the mockery that we had experienced. I also stated that we don't demand perfect service but we do demand at least basic service and that we hadn't even received basic service. I also told him not one of his floor staff was pleasant which meant we (the customer) don't find the experience to be a pleasant one.

They don't smile or engage with you, throw menus down and walk away, as if they don't want to be there. I told him there was one particular waitress that if I was him would sack on the spot. He proceeded to explain how hard it is to get staff etc... and that he was sorry again for the poor (more like lack of) service we received. I said we still hadn't had anyone come over and show us dessert menus and we were waiting to see how long it took. He apologised again and said he would get someone over to us right away.

Anyway, we ordered apple pie and ice cream and this was brought to us promptly, so promptly in fact that my partners apple pie (if you could even call it an apple pie as it was a flat piece of pastry no higher than 5mm, how they get apple in there I don't know) was uncooked. So we just let both desserts sit there until the ice cream had melted and the manager/owner came over to us obviously wondering why we hadn't touched them. I pointed out my partners excuse for apple pie was raw and he poked and prodded it before acknowledging it was. We declined another dessert as we just wanted to get out of this nightmare. I just wish it wasn't a prepaid Scoopon voucher as I would have been walking out and not paying a cent.

Feb 25, 2012

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  5     

A group of 8 of us used to be regular customers here until recently as they do a rather good coffee. However the service the last time we went was severely lacking. As it was lunchtime on a freezing winters day there were no tables available inside, so we sat at the tables in the laneway. When a table became available inside we proceeded to move that way only to be told in no uncertain terms by the barista that because we were only ordering coffee, we would have to stay seated outside. Needless to say we have now found a new coffee place that welcomes their customers to sit inside to enjoy their coffee. I would give them a zero for service if I could.

Jul 13, 2011

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

We have followed Tanya and Jenny (the chef) from Limelight restaurant. We actually tracked them down as we always enjoyed the food at Limelight until they both left to open their own restaurant. We are fortunate to have found them at In & Out as we believe the food is even better now. Vegetarian spring rolls are fresh and crisp, Massaman Curry always a hit, Soft Shell Crab a favourite of ours and we can never go past Pad See Ew. The service is quick and cheerful or if you want to sit and take your time there is no pressuring you to finish and leave. We have been going weekly since they opened which is a testament to this restaurant. In & Out never disappoints. A bonus is you can finish your meal then do your shopping at Woolworths across the lane.

Oct 21, 2010

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Gem and I discovered Limelight shortly after they opened after getting quite sick of the plethora of mundane Thai restaurants around the area. I actually went right off Thai food until we discovered this little gem. We have been returning almost on a weekly basis since so no need to tell you that they do it better than the rest.

The food is so fresh (the best vegetarian spring rolls we've had), the vegetables crispy and they will spice your dishes how you like it. I like mine hot and when I ask for spicy most places I still need to add chilli, this is not so at Limelight. Gem can't go past their Pad See Eww, whilst I've tried just about their entire menu with my favourites being the Massaman lamb shank, Penang and Yellow curry chicken all spiced up of course!

The service is always prompt and courteous, wine and water glasses constantly filled, favourite dishes and how you like your coffee etc all remembered. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with ample outdoor seating for alfresco dining on those warmer nights. I like the fact that the tables are generously spaced with plenty of room to move around or for parents to push prams through. They have not tried to fit as many tables in there as they can to the detriment of your enjoyment and getting in and out.

The location is good, out of the hustle of Kirribilli in the little village at the bottom of Clark Rd opposite Anderson Park. Thanks Limelight for making our weekly dining experience a pleasurable one.

Jan 31, 2010

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Had a wonderful night at Borruso's last Sunday evening. Everything about the experience was impeccable. Didn't try the pasta but the pizza's were as described in previous reviews, perfect! Do yourself a favour and try it for yourself, oh and be sure to finish with the Banana Flambe. As I write this thinking about the amazing pizzas, I think we will go again tonight.

May 23, 2009

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

We ate here Easter Saturday, the restaurant wasn't full so the service was great. Orders taken as soon as we put the menu's down, water was filled frequently right up until we left, wine topped up at at the right times. We ordered the prawns in betel leaves and mixed entree for starters. Both were delicious but the spring rolls were the best I have tasted.

For mains we had the duck curry and sweet chilli jam stir fry. Both were beautifully spicy and generous servings. The sweet chilli jam dish so large in fact that we were able to fill a container with the left overs to take home. We squeezed in a banana pudding and fried ice cream for dessert and were struggling to walk out we were that full.

Very nice restaurant, nicely spiced food with excellent service but with the plethora of Thai restaurants around these days, every time I have it my palate shies away from it for several months.

Apr 15, 2009

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Restaurant 13 is a quaint restaurant off the beaten track at Neutral Bay.My partner and I rang up for a late booking on Tuesday night. The restaurant has a modern old world attractiveness and charm to it. The tables are generously spaced so you are not squeezing past other diners to get in or out of your seat.

I ordered pork belly and my partner had the beef. I tried some of the beef and it was delicious, almost melted in your mouth. My pork belly was circled by seared scallops and was satisfying. We finished off with lemon tart and a bombalaska for dessert, both were divine, and a wonderful coffee. We were the last to leave but never felt rushed into leaving in fact Dimitri, the owner came and chatted to us for about half an hour at the end of our meals.

Great restaurant, nice decor, superb service, top notch food, good value. What more could you want. We will be back.

Apr 02, 2009

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  10     

Living just around the corner and having read the favourable reviews, we decided to give Safi a go. First impressions were that the restaurant is bright and decorated nicely. We perused the menu and decided on the banquet so we could try several different dishes. Let me just say that you want to go to Safi hungry if you order the banquet as the food seems to never end.

The dips to start are probably too large in my opinion and could be downsized, you tend to fill up quickly on the dips and unlimited bread. The rest of the dishes were well portioned and tasty. The banquet is excellent value. It was wet and miserable outside but we were warm and cosy inside (not sure if this had something to do with the bottles of wine we polished off though), Safi has a nice ambience.

We will go back to have the banquet again but make sure we are starving when we do.

Mar 27, 2009

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Made a booking for an early dinner on Sunday night. When we got there, there were 3 others but the place quickly filled up and the bottom level was almost to capacity by 7.30 pm.

We decided to share a pizza and a pasta and finish off with dessert. We ordered a Filetto pizza as entree and shared the pumpkin and goats cheese ravioli for main. The service was quick and efficient and both meals came out quickly. The toppings on the pizza were fresh, the base crisp and the pasta delicious.

For dessert we had the trio of gelato and an affogato. It was the best gelato I have had and the affogato with gelato just amazing. The desserts were the perfect way to finish a most enjoyable meal. I would highly recommend Amici's and we will be returning soon!

Mar 05, 2009

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  8     

Dined here before catching a movie. Ordered a bruschetta starter pizza. The toppings were so fresh. For main we got a half and half pizza. Both toppings were superb and the crust about perfect, not soggy like many but firm and crisp. I can attest that Fratelli's is right up there with the best!

Feb 28, 2009