sweetchuck

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I've been here 4 times so far. The first time it was brilliant. Big, fresh burgers. Then I tried the barra burger and that was pretty good. Then had another beef and it was good but not as good as the first time. Then last time the burgers seemed smaller and the mince meat patty was definitely pink/rare in the middle. Why change? You guys had it perfect the first time when you first opened. I'll be going somewhere else from now.

Apr 14, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

This place is an icon in Sydney. Everyone knows about Ju Ju's at the Cross. Everyone knows you go to Ju Ju's for the shabu shabu and the karaoke. Everyone knows you go to Ju Ju's to drink sake with your friends. What most people don't know is that the real gem about Ju Ju's is the ala carte menu and avoid the karaoke times if you want a more intimate and quiet dinner. The tuna carpaccio is the best I've had. The beef tataki is the best I've had. But I say this without having been to Japan yet.

Apr 14, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  9     

Ryo's is an icon. Ask anyone who has any idea of tonkotsu ramen and you will almost always hear "Ryo's is the best ramen in Sydney". They can do a reduced salt tonkotsu upon request. Just be prepared to line up outside and have passing motorists stare at you.

Mar 05, 2010

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  3     

After watching ACA and hearing about Grill'd's famous hot chips as being the best in Sydney decided to check it out. Have to say there are some really good gourmet burger joints going round (EG. Ben Bry Burgers, Burger Me, Fergburger for all you lucky Kiwis) so was expecting something special from Grill'd just from the fact they know how to make a good chip. I was hoping this translated to their burger making.

The set up is a bit strange. The atmostphere is a lot like Nando's. Ok placed my order, paid and sat back in one of the high stools and I was thinking this is pretty cool. Then a few minutes pass and no action in the kitchen. Burger joints are meant to be fast. Dude, where's my burger?! Then a few other customers come in and order and must have been 4 staff walking around not doing anything.

I counted 3 people had finished ordering then someone decides to start my patty on the grill. Then a few more minutes pass and I smell burning toast. I was cringing. My buns are burnt and then they are covered up with mustard. Soon my burger is ready and my chips too. The chips were fantastic! Love the herbs and the crunch. The burger was disappointing though.

Grill'd is great for chips. Just forget the burgers.

Mar 05, 2010

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  10     

This place rocks! But as with many restaurants there is a system that works for some and not for others. Big groups don't seem to get as good service as smaller groups (<6). I've been to Braza as a small group twice and have had a great experience. The capairinhia is a must try. This place is an icon in Sydney for Brazilian churasco!

Mar 05, 2010

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I've been here 4 times so far. The first time it was brilliant. Big, fresh burgers. Then I tried the barra burger and that was pretty good. Then had another beef and it was good but not as good as the first time. Then last time the burgers seemed smaller and the mince meat patty was definitely pink/rare in the middle. Why change? You guys had it perfect the first time when you first opened. I'll be going somewhere else from now.

Apr 14, 2010

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

This place is an icon in Sydney. Everyone knows about Ju Ju's at the Cross. Everyone knows you go to Ju Ju's for the shabu shabu and the karaoke. Everyone knows you go to Ju Ju's to drink sake with your friends. What most people don't know is that the real gem about Ju Ju's is the ala carte menu and avoid the karaoke times if you want a more intimate and quiet dinner. The tuna carpaccio is the best I've had. The beef tataki is the best I've had. But I say this without having been to Japan yet.

Apr 14, 2010

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  9     

Ryo's is an icon. Ask anyone who has any idea of tonkotsu ramen and you will almost always hear "Ryo's is the best ramen in Sydney". They can do a reduced salt tonkotsu upon request. Just be prepared to line up outside and have passing motorists stare at you.

Mar 05, 2010

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  3     

After watching ACA and hearing about Grill'd's famous hot chips as being the best in Sydney decided to check it out. Have to say there are some really good gourmet burger joints going round (EG. Ben Bry Burgers, Burger Me, Fergburger for all you lucky Kiwis) so was expecting something special from Grill'd just from the fact they know how to make a good chip. I was hoping this translated to their burger making.

The set up is a bit strange. The atmostphere is a lot like Nando's. Ok placed my order, paid and sat back in one of the high stools and I was thinking this is pretty cool. Then a few minutes pass and no action in the kitchen. Burger joints are meant to be fast. Dude, where's my burger?! Then a few other customers come in and order and must have been 4 staff walking around not doing anything.

I counted 3 people had finished ordering then someone decides to start my patty on the grill. Then a few more minutes pass and I smell burning toast. I was cringing. My buns are burnt and then they are covered up with mustard. Soon my burger is ready and my chips too. The chips were fantastic! Love the herbs and the crunch. The burger was disappointing though.

Grill'd is great for chips. Just forget the burgers.

Mar 05, 2010

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  10     

This place rocks! But as with many restaurants there is a system that works for some and not for others. Big groups don't seem to get as good service as smaller groups (<6). I've been to Braza as a small group twice and have had a great experience. The capairinhia is a must try. This place is an icon in Sydney for Brazilian churasco!

Mar 05, 2010

4.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  3     

The entrance is dark and moody and not very welcoming. There is a dress code, smart casual. Very unusual for a yakitori style restaurant! Sitting inside there is no warmth at all. There is a minimum spend of $35 per customer! Outrageous!

We ordered the $55 kushiyaki course. The famous 'as seen on tv' tuna salad was fantastic! The tuna was very good quality and seared to only a few millimetres. Then came the sushi. The seared salmon and kingfish could have had more searing to bring impart more smoke flavour but the chef erred on the side of caution.

The only problem was that there wasn't enough! Then came the karaage chicken with a trio of flavour infused dipping salts, green tea, curry and salt pepper. The chicken was very moist and juicy but still had a crispness. Very nice. The kushiyaki arrived and was a bit of a disappointment really. The meal was finished with a sake sorbet which was different but very refreshing.

Overall you can see the preciseness in skill and quality of food but Azuma's Kushiyaki falls a bit short. Overpriced, too many rules and a bit pretentious. Worth a try though.

Mar 05, 2010

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

This is one of those fusion concepts that aims to take the best of its origins (Chinese and Thai) to create something even better. Jimmy Liks achieves the flavours but the portions are way too small. Had a banquet of around 20 people and we had to share each dish between 6 of us. I have yet to come across a restaurant that does banquets effectively and worthwhile for the customer. I would go back in a smaller group as the food was very good.

Nov 18, 2009

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5 Average

Food  1      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

The Good: cheap, no frills, open till late, kanom jeen is quite good, late night supper menu, in CBD Thai quarter.

The Bad and Ugly: food is too oily. Had to skim layer of grease from the beef stew noodles. This is really irresponsible cooking!

Definitely not one of the better Thai restaurants out there! Try Saap Thai, Crocodile Senior, At Bangkok or Spice I Am which are all within walking distance and are much better.

Nov 18, 2009

7.3 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

Highly recommended for taste. Very flavourful and pungent dishes. Tried the nam khao tod, rice salad with sausage and their kanom jeen gang tai pla (kanom jeen is massive in Thailand and everyone does it differently think spaghetti bolognese Thai style!). Not cheap but it is hard to get flavours like this in Sydney. The rice salad was truly Aroy Mak! The Thai food scene has exploded as there seems to be a Thai restaurant on every street but SIA seems to be a perennial favourite. This is how Thai food should be everywhere in Sydney!

Nov 18, 2009

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Overall, I really enjoyed the ST experience. Fresh, quality ingredients, well spiced and delivered in a modern setting. Very glad Perry did not dumb down the flavours for the Western palate. Loved the Szechuan style fish, tofu salad, 3 shot chicken. Service was also very good. The only negatives were the price and the small portions. I wouldn't mind seeing Perry do a 'Superbowl' style eatery.

Nov 08, 2009