sebastianmelmoth

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  4     

It was all nice, but I really couldn't say it was anything beyond that.

This shouldn't surprise me, as although I always loved the Rick Stein TV shows themselves that showcase his passion, I always thought the actual dishes he did were a bit 'so what'.

I'm not really not sure that English classics like fish pie work here in Australia. At least not outside a pub bistro.

May 27, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  10     

We loved this place. The Syrian take on osso buco was fabulous.

We ordered the Lebanese red wine Hochar on spec, and mainly because we had never had lebanese wine before. It proved an amazing drop and we would certainly have it again, though I have to say it lost some of its appeal after the food finished so I would recommend it with food only where it really shines.

Good, honest service, without the usual pretence of elsewhere.

Thanks for a great night, Almond Bar.

May 10, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

I think this place thinks it's something it's not. When one orders and pays at the counter and sits in what is essentially the beer garden, one doesn't expect to pay what is getting close to the lower end of fine dining prices.

The food is ok, though we thought our green curry chicken ($22/$29) was low on flavour, had too much sauce, and was overwhelmed with too much eggplant. Chicken and eggplant laksa would have been a better menu description. The duck stir fry ($32 I think, if not $34) was a mountain of broccoli and zucchini through which we had search for the duck.

Our entree of coconut prawns ($18) numbered five, not the six promised in the menu. It was served with what appeared to be a sweet chilli sauce from a bottle, not a proper dipping sauce.

In short, there was nothing we had here that could not be had elsewhere in Newtown for half the price.

Jan 27, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

In a World where everything is the latest fad, it's comforting to know some things just don't change.

We've been eating at Mere Catherine for over 15 years, from a time when they were in the premises now occupied by Jimmy Liks and just love it. We don't go often, maybe once a year, but look forward to it when we do. Have the onion soup and chateau briand, and be transported to France! And sure I've been a bit generous with the scores, but as a 'package experience' this place is just magic.

Sep 24, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

We enjoyed this place immensely. Porchetta and dory mains were both wonderful, as were the desserts, the mandarin custard and the chocolate tart. We chose an expensive-ish wine ($120) on spec and it turned out to be a really sensational drop.
Loved it!

Jul 31, 2010

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  4     

It was all nice, but I really couldn't say it was anything beyond that.

This shouldn't surprise me, as although I always loved the Rick Stein TV shows themselves that showcase his passion, I always thought the actual dishes he did were a bit 'so what'.

I'm not really not sure that English classics like fish pie work here in Australia. At least not outside a pub bistro.

May 27, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  10     

We loved this place. The Syrian take on osso buco was fabulous.

We ordered the Lebanese red wine Hochar on spec, and mainly because we had never had lebanese wine before. It proved an amazing drop and we would certainly have it again, though I have to say it lost some of its appeal after the food finished so I would recommend it with food only where it really shines.

Good, honest service, without the usual pretence of elsewhere.

Thanks for a great night, Almond Bar.

May 10, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  1     

I think this place thinks it's something it's not. When one orders and pays at the counter and sits in what is essentially the beer garden, one doesn't expect to pay what is getting close to the lower end of fine dining prices.

The food is ok, though we thought our green curry chicken ($22/$29) was low on flavour, had too much sauce, and was overwhelmed with too much eggplant. Chicken and eggplant laksa would have been a better menu description. The duck stir fry ($32 I think, if not $34) was a mountain of broccoli and zucchini through which we had search for the duck.

Our entree of coconut prawns ($18) numbered five, not the six promised in the menu. It was served with what appeared to be a sweet chilli sauce from a bottle, not a proper dipping sauce.

In short, there was nothing we had here that could not be had elsewhere in Newtown for half the price.

Jan 27, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

In a World where everything is the latest fad, it's comforting to know some things just don't change.

We've been eating at Mere Catherine for over 15 years, from a time when they were in the premises now occupied by Jimmy Liks and just love it. We don't go often, maybe once a year, but look forward to it when we do. Have the onion soup and chateau briand, and be transported to France! And sure I've been a bit generous with the scores, but as a 'package experience' this place is just magic.

Sep 24, 2011

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

We enjoyed this place immensely. Porchetta and dory mains were both wonderful, as were the desserts, the mandarin custard and the chocolate tart. We chose an expensive-ish wine ($120) on spec and it turned out to be a really sensational drop.
Loved it!

Jul 31, 2010

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  10     

Great little place. At $15.90, I think it was, for a plate of sushi that was much bigger than the photo on the menu looked, how could one complain! $19 for a bottle of riesling. Great value. You could have sushi and green tea here and walk out paying less than $20.

Nov 10, 2009

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

The food was great. The porchetta, just wonderful. Loved the semifreddo. Service is also very good, as is the wine list. The only thing I would be critical about is that the dining room is simply too dark. I understand the effect they are trying to achieve, but when the waiters need to bring lamps to all the tables so people can read the menu, need I say more?

Nov 05, 2009

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  10     

Great little place serving honest, unpretentious German/Austrian type fare. Clearly this is not fine dining, but then that is not what you would come here for.
And how long is it since I've seen a wine list without any price over $30?

Oct 26, 2008