twentysomething

Reviews

Giardinetto Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, European, Italian, Fine Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 6.5 62

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.5 Not Recommended

Food 2 Ambience 5 Service 1 Value 2

Disgraceful, there are no other words to describe my experience. Came for the meal deal which did seem like great value, but left vowing never to return. We got our entree, fine, food was good, nothing special but good. 10 minutes and only half way through our entrees the mains arrive....ummmm...can we see a problem?

Waitress stood with the dishes in her arms at our table for a good couple of minutes (was she expecting us to put them on our laps until we were ready?) until the fact that we were still going on entrees was brought to her attention. With a huff she took the mains away and left them in clear view on a counter in the kitchen. 20 minutes later when we'd finished our entrees and let the staff know we were right for the mains now, she brings our cold dishes back from their kitchen counter and puts them down.

One bite confirms, they are stone cold. Imagine there's probably some hygiene issues involved here too but I'm not one to nit-pick. Request they at least put some effort into reheating, would ask for entirely new meals but with the lack of professionalism we've received thus far, suspect this may be the kind of place to do something unspeakable to your meal. Chewed through our luke warm, gelatinous meals, paid our bill (sans tip) and left.

Like I said, never to return! Offering a 'deal' at the cost of good service and edible food doesn't seem like much of a deal to me. Go elsewhere for a real bargain.

Feb 05, 2010

Puntino Trattoria, Woolloomooloo

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, BYO, Licensed

Overall 6 52

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 9

Love, love, love this restaurant. Most restaurants around town tend to tick only one box, good food, good service, good value but so rarely do you find a place that ticks all three. Plus it's byo and it takes bookings, two additional bonuses Sydney restaurants are increasingly (and frustratingly!) moving away from. Cosy, casual atmosphere, super-friendly staff and wonderful hearty Italian food. A fabulous little hidden gem that we've been going to for years and will continue to frequent for years to come. Well done on a great all-round restaurant guys!

Feb 05, 2010

Wafu, Surry Hills

Restaurants, Japanese, BYO, Licensed, Gluten Free

Overall 7.2 48

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 6 Service 7 Value 8

Was looking for a casual venue for a mid-week dinner with the girls and we wanted something healthy, byo and reasonably priced and this ticked every box. It's low key dining and the food is just outstanding, clean, fresh flavours and you don't get the 'eating-out' guilts if you're on the diet wagon, it's all so healthy and delicious.

For $35 a head we rolled out of there after an entree and main each and that included corkage and tip, so very GFC-friendly. Will definitely be adding this to our list of regular haunts, loved it.

Sep 20, 2009

Bay Bua, Potts Point

Restaurants, Asian, French, International, Vietnamese

Overall 8.2 66

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

I love this place! It's casual and unpretentious. Service is always warm, friendly and most importantly patient. We usually come here in a group before heading out to the surrounding bars. The food comes out quickly and in great quantities so is the perfect start to a night on the town. The food is delicious, full of flavour and good size portions. The interior is nothing super flash but then neither are the prices so you can't expect to perch on designer ottomans.

Can't understand comments about poor value for money, as every time I get the bill I always feel guilty as it doesn't seem to be enough. We normally add a fairly healthy tip and on one particular occasion had the maitre d' run after us outside to thank us personally. BYO and easy booking are added bonuses, bucking the excessively annoying modern Sydney restaurant trend of no bookings and licensed only with ridiculously inflated wine lists. A winner on all fronts, Bay Bua is a very firm fav of mine.

Mar 18, 2009

Brasserie Bread, Banksmeadow

Cafes, Bakeries, European, French, Family Dining

Overall 7.3 24

9 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 8

Never been to their cafe in Banksmeadow, but I buy their sourdough bread every Friday at their stall at Bondi Junction produce markets (Oxford St mall every Thur/Fri). I'm a sourdough addict and have tried loads of different bakeries. Brasserie's is without doubt the best you can get in Sydney, absolutely beautiful. Also a fan of the stall staff, gorgeous guys that won't let you walk away until they've put a smile on your face! Big ticks on produce and staff, can't wait to try the cafe.

Aug 15, 2007

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Displaying: 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Giardinetto Restaurant, Darlinghurst

Restaurants, European, Italian, Fine Dining, Good For Groups

Overall 6.5 62

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.5 Not Recommended

Food 2 Ambience 5 Service 1 Value 2

Feb 05, 2010

Puntino Trattoria, Woolloomooloo

Restaurants, Italian, Pizza, BYO, Licensed

Overall 6 52

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

9 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 9

Feb 05, 2010

Wafu, Surry Hills

Restaurants, Japanese, BYO, Licensed, Gluten Free

Overall 7.2 48

7.5 Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 6 Service 7 Value 8

Sep 20, 2009

Bay Bua, Potts Point

Restaurants, Asian, French, International, Vietnamese

Overall 8.2 66

8 Recommended

Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

Mar 18, 2009

Brasserie Bread, Banksmeadow

Cafes, Bakeries, European, French, Family Dining

Overall 7.3 24

9 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 8 Service 10 Value 8

Aug 15, 2007

Cafe Pacifico, East Sydney

Cafes, Mexican / Latin American, Has Bar

Overall 6.1 95

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 9 Ambience 9 Service 8 Value 8

This is one of my fav restaurants! It's not a fine dining experience, this is no place for a quiet dinner for two, it's noisy, raucous and fun, so bring your friends and prepare for a great night. The food is sensational, I would confidently say the best Mexican in Sydney. The service is cheerful and prompt. It absolutely pumps on a weekend so don't expect to get in unless you've booked at least a few days in advance.

Only complaint (and it breaks my heart to have to say anything negative) is the ridiculously overpriced sangria. It's difficult to go to Mexican and not order a jug, but these guys charge like wounded bulls for the stuff so I'd recommend sticking to beer. I've been here more times than I care to recall and have never had a bad experience. The vibe is uplifting and just so much fun. This place is a Sydney institution and you're seriously missing out if you haven't tried it. Get a group together and hit it on a Saturday night, you will not be disappointed.

Jul 06, 2007

Lincoln, The, Potts Point

Restaurants, Asian, French, Japanese, Mediterranean

Overall 5.5 16

3.5 Below Average

Food 5 Ambience 2 Service 2 Value 5

Went here for Saturday night cocktails with a group of girlfriends, felt compelled to try it out as it's slated as the hot new place to go. Immediately, got off on the wrong foot when we were asked to wait out the front for 10 minutes. The place was half empty and it was a cold night outside, and they were clearly making 5 attractive, well-dressed girls wait at the door for advertising purposes. Finally, despite no one having come out, they suddenly decided we could enter.

It was 11 pm on a Saturday night and the place had no vibe. The crowd that was there screamed pretentious and insecure. Had one drink (which despite the lack of people, we still waited 10 minutes at the bar for) and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Headed straight back to good old Hugo's which, even with a ridiculously steep $20 cover on a Saturday night, is still a better choice! Verdict - pretentious and dull, stick to the vast array of other fab bars in the area.

Jul 06, 2007

The Pavilion, Sydney

Restaurants, Cafes, European, Modern Australian, Modern European

Overall 5.2 53

5.5 Average

Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 1

Pleasant spot in the park, great service, lovely food BUT without question the worst value brekkie in Sydney. Ordered scrambled eggs on sourdough with salmon and spinach. For $20 I got a small serve of eggs, 1 slice of salmon, a comically small spoonful of spinach and a single toast resembing a crouton, it was like the entire meal had been miniaturised.

And just being picky now but it was also served in a bowl rather than a plate, which I felt was a poor choice of presentation for that particular meal. A nice experience overall but was hungry again shortly afterwards and for the money it was terrible value. Wouldn't recommend it.

Jun 25, 2007