Cheekycheeks C.

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  7     

Edit: As the tv ad says, it's great if nothing goes wrong with the service.
After our first great experience at Na Zdrowie, we decided to go again and made a booking which we were on time for. We ordered an entree of pierogi, and 5 minutes later, gave our order for mains to another waitress to whom we clearly told we had already ordered our entrees.

35 minutes later, we realised that the table next to us (who had arrived and ordered after us) had gotten their food and finished eating. We called a waitress over who after some discussion with the management, came over and basically stood there refusing to tell us that they had lost our order, we had to basically spell it out for her ourselves.

By this time, we were starving. We re-ordered our mains and 5 minutes later, had to re-order Again after being told one of the mains had run out and was no longer available. No need to say that we were seriously annoyed by this stage. Another 15 minutes later, we finally got our food. In between this, they chose to serve a table of 18 people, given our situation, management should have stood up and given our table higher priority.

Our problem is not that a mistake was made, but that several opportunities to rectify this was not taken up. Our table was right in front of the counter and the management, who should have noticed that something was wrong. The waitresses should also have taken care of their customers and put two and two together. The lack of apology or refusal to acknowledge the mistake or make up for it spoiled our evening and our decision to come to this restaurant again.

Our first time at trying Polish food wasn't bad. We chose this place probably being the most well known Polish restaurant in Sydney and it showed us enough to want to come back.

The atmosphere was great, lots of people but not too loud for conversation. The service was friendly and attentive. I was hoping for a more extensive soup range, having once tried a delicious onion and garlic soup but had to choose from a choice of only three. The potato and Polish sausage soup was tasty but the dill and cucumber soup was uninspiring.

For mains, the baked meat and rice in cabbage with potato in tomato sauce was absolutely delicious with the combination just right, while the meat and sauerkraut stew with potato was nice but not quite as special as expected. Portions were okay with the value for the soup probably not the best. We're looking forward to what they can show us next time.

May 24, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

The best thing about this restaurant is the amazing view. Unfortunately, the food did not match up to the views nor the price. The cherry tomato bruschetta was just the tomatoes put on top of some unspecial bread (at least cut the tomatoes in half), the peppers stuffed with goats cheese were too small in portion, and the salmon, asparagus and thyme was definitely not worth $28, with the salmon tender but encapsulating none of the thyme and only the slice of lemon provided the flavour, which came with a green salad and some slices of cucumber.

At least some nice mash potato with additional garnishings would have brought it up to standard. Nice place for a coffee but not for a meal.

May 13, 2012

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  5     

We wanted to try Czech food for the first time but came away disappointed which wasn't a good thing! The rib eye with bread dumplings special was just two slices of the beef which were tender but nothing special, and the so-called dumplings were just slices of (boiled?) bread in a nice but average sauce. The pork belly with cracking, sauerkraut and mash was tasty and well presented.

The place was quite busy with couples basically having to sit side by side on the bar tables, however, another couple were nice enough to share their table with us which allowed us to avoid a lengthy wait. All in all, probably just come here for the European beer.

May 13, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Located away from the main restaurant hub in Crows Nest, this place is more of a destination and after our first experience here, we'll be making it just that. Run by a Vietnamese family and simply decorated, I knew we'd be in for authentic Vietnamese food which was just what we got. The crispy skin chicken with rice noodle soup was enjoyable, with the chicken perfectly cooked, and the soup broth amazing.

The combination vermicelli was rated even better than the place we usually go to in Chatswood. The value for such simple, authentic Vietnamese food is great, well designed menu with just enough choice across all types of food. We'll definitely be back.

May 13, 2012

4 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  3     

I cannot concur with the 7.6 overall rating for this place. The empty tables are a good indicator of this restaurant. The service was attentive enough but it wasn't enough to make up for the below average Thai food. Our octopus salad was too spicy and too sweet, while the duck curry was less than impressive. The mixed entree was also nothing to write home about. Our sole presence brought two other tables in but definitely not the food. Come here if you want uninspiring Thai food.

May 13, 2012

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  7     

Edit: As the tv ad says, it's great if nothing goes wrong with the service.
After our first great experience at Na Zdrowie, we decided to go again and made a booking which we were on time for. We ordered an entree of pierogi, and 5 minutes later, gave our order for mains to another waitress to whom we clearly told we had already ordered our entrees.

35 minutes later, we realised that the table next to us (who had arrived and ordered after us) had gotten their food and finished eating. We called a waitress over who after some discussion with the management, came over and basically stood there refusing to tell us that they had lost our order, we had to basically spell it out for her ourselves.

By this time, we were starving. We re-ordered our mains and 5 minutes later, had to re-order Again after being told one of the mains had run out and was no longer available. No need to say that we were seriously annoyed by this stage. Another 15 minutes later, we finally got our food. In between this, they chose to serve a table of 18 people, given our situation, management should have stood up and given our table higher priority.

Our problem is not that a mistake was made, but that several opportunities to rectify this was not taken up. Our table was right in front of the counter and the management, who should have noticed that something was wrong. The waitresses should also have taken care of their customers and put two and two together. The lack of apology or refusal to acknowledge the mistake or make up for it spoiled our evening and our decision to come to this restaurant again.

Our first time at trying Polish food wasn't bad. We chose this place probably being the most well known Polish restaurant in Sydney and it showed us enough to want to come back.

The atmosphere was great, lots of people but not too loud for conversation. The service was friendly and attentive. I was hoping for a more extensive soup range, having once tried a delicious onion and garlic soup but had to choose from a choice of only three. The potato and Polish sausage soup was tasty but the dill and cucumber soup was uninspiring.

For mains, the baked meat and rice in cabbage with potato in tomato sauce was absolutely delicious with the combination just right, while the meat and sauerkraut stew with potato was nice but not quite as special as expected. Portions were okay with the value for the soup probably not the best. We're looking forward to what they can show us next time.

May 24, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

The best thing about this restaurant is the amazing view. Unfortunately, the food did not match up to the views nor the price. The cherry tomato bruschetta was just the tomatoes put on top of some unspecial bread (at least cut the tomatoes in half), the peppers stuffed with goats cheese were too small in portion, and the salmon, asparagus and thyme was definitely not worth $28, with the salmon tender but encapsulating none of the thyme and only the slice of lemon provided the flavour, which came with a green salad and some slices of cucumber.

At least some nice mash potato with additional garnishings would have brought it up to standard. Nice place for a coffee but not for a meal.

May 13, 2012

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  5     

We wanted to try Czech food for the first time but came away disappointed which wasn't a good thing! The rib eye with bread dumplings special was just two slices of the beef which were tender but nothing special, and the so-called dumplings were just slices of (boiled?) bread in a nice but average sauce. The pork belly with cracking, sauerkraut and mash was tasty and well presented.

The place was quite busy with couples basically having to sit side by side on the bar tables, however, another couple were nice enough to share their table with us which allowed us to avoid a lengthy wait. All in all, probably just come here for the European beer.

May 13, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Located away from the main restaurant hub in Crows Nest, this place is more of a destination and after our first experience here, we'll be making it just that. Run by a Vietnamese family and simply decorated, I knew we'd be in for authentic Vietnamese food which was just what we got. The crispy skin chicken with rice noodle soup was enjoyable, with the chicken perfectly cooked, and the soup broth amazing.

The combination vermicelli was rated even better than the place we usually go to in Chatswood. The value for such simple, authentic Vietnamese food is great, well designed menu with just enough choice across all types of food. We'll definitely be back.

May 13, 2012

4 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  3     

I cannot concur with the 7.6 overall rating for this place. The empty tables are a good indicator of this restaurant. The service was attentive enough but it wasn't enough to make up for the below average Thai food. Our octopus salad was too spicy and too sweet, while the duck curry was less than impressive. The mixed entree was also nothing to write home about. Our sole presence brought two other tables in but definitely not the food. Come here if you want uninspiring Thai food.

May 13, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We decided to give this place a go after parking in the carpark next door for a quick dinner. Had two pizzas which were delicious. Really like the pizza menu which has gourmet ingredients that not many other pizzerias have (ie. goats cheese etc). Friendly service too and obviously a local favourite.

Apr 20, 2012

8.7 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8     

I had also never tried Nepalese food and found it to be similar to Indian but more delicately cooked and tastier. We had the saag paneer (spinach, ricotta, peas) and a meat curry along with some paratha and roti. Don't believe the menu when it says "mild"! The saag paneer was meant to be very mild but I found it even spicier than the meat curry, and had to mix a heap of yoghurt into the curries for it to be edible (by my standards). Despite that, the food was incredibly tasty and I can't wait to be back!

Apr 20, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

We'd been meaning to try this place seeing it was almost always packed and was curious with the flags and big screen tv showing the sumo wrestling at the front of the entrance. We got our chance one weekday evening and enjoyed a set menu which was great value, including endamame beans, spinach, mixed sashimi, rice, miso soup and two teriyaki dishes. Great quality, friendly and respectful staff, nice ambience and entertaining sumo wrestling! This place is understandably popular.

Apr 20, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

We got the dinner special which was takeaway of two curry puffs, a curry dish, a stir fried dish and a rice pudding. The quality was nothing special at all, possibly just below par. It didn't match the trendy interiors of the restaurant despite the friendly staff.

Apr 20, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I have had completely opposite experiences to the below two reviews the 3 times I have been here! Twice for brunch, and once for dinner.

To date I have enjoyed ham and cheese omelette on bruschetta (lovely), blueberry ricotta pancakes with maple syrup (soft and tender), rocket, bruschetta and poached egg, coffees, steak and chips with mushroom sauce (Amazingly tender steak, bistro style), mushroom risotto with sage (proper restaurant quality).

All plates were beautifully presented and the food were all of top quality. Service was always friendly and attentive. Great interior design and set up too, overlooking the lawn at the new Concourse. This has become a regular for me!

Apr 17, 2012