Irene's choice. Present: ken, Irene, Gerry, Alex, Rod, Louanne
Overall Rating:3.3*
Total Cost per person: $80.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating:Very Good
Table Presentation:Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.:Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.:Excellent
Specials presentation:Good
Wine selection, variety and price:Not so Good
Drinks Service:Not so Good
Food Service:Good
Ambiance:Very Good
Music:Not so Good
Food choices:
Breads: Two serves of the Mixed Bruschetta Platter - A mixture of all three on one plate - Caramelised Pear & Double Brie, Blue Swimmer Crab & Traditional tomato and basil. The caramelised pear and brie was my favourite.
Entree: One chose the Garlic Buttered Mushrooms
- Fresh field mushrooms sautéed with garlic butter & house made onion
jam & drizzled with basil pesto served on freshly baked Turkish loaf. he rated this a Very Good. Two opted for the night's special - the Oysters Natural - fresh plump and creamy Tasmanian oysters - rating by both - Excellent. Three opted for the Vietnamese-Indochine Oysters described as "the finest natural oysters bathed in an Asian styled Nam Jim marinade (Soy, ginger, coriander, garlic & chili). Two rated this Very Good however, one declared an oyster as "off" and decided not to eat the others. The reaction of the waitress, who argued that it could not be off, spoiled the tone of the evening for us, and it took the senior waitress to apologise and offer a replacement of natural oysters, which cheered things up a little.
Main course: One chose the night's special fish dish - rated Very Good, one the night's special chicken breast with Pomegranate jus - rated as Good, two choose Smoked Salmon & Lemon Crab - smoked salmon chards and crab meat tossed through cold pressed virgin olive oil, angel hair pasta, wild lemon & aromatic herbs - which they rated as filling and overdone on the pasta side of things. Two choose the Duck and Lychee curry served with aromatic jasmine rice, crispy poppadom & sambals curry - which both rated as Very Good.
Sweets: No sweets were ordered but two affogatos, and several teas and a frangelico finished off the meal.
Drinks: The wine menu was declared a not a strong point as selection was small and the wines on offer are at the lower end of the market. Nonetheless the Shiraz and
the Chardonnay were quaff able.
Summary: Lovely ambiance - even though situated on a roundabout the proximity to the water of the canal estate, not far from the beachfront, gives a nice feel. Tables well presented with linen tablecloths and high quality paper napkins. The menu is excellent and abundantly described in a ultra casual, friendly manner which has the effect of making you feel personally known. It is an obviously popular spot with residents in the area as many diners appeared to be regulars. The down side for our evening was the reaction of the waitress to the "off" oyster. If the diner claims something is off - then it is off and shouldn't be subjected to being questioned.
Unfortunately the situation was rescued by the serendipity of being attended to in plate collection by another waitress, not by training or evidence of a restaurant complaints mangement policy.
A pleasant enough evening but don't know if it's worth the drive from town. I would go again probably if I lived out that way.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
NuNu at Palm Cove - 7th August
Ken's choice
Present: Irene, Ken, Neil, Gerry, Alex, Louanne, Rod
Overall Rating (value for money) 2.6*
Total Cost per person: $110.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal Greeting and Seating:
Greeting and Seating: Abysmal
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Complimenatry lemon infused sour dough bread. Excellent.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Expensive and not a wide selection.
Specials presentation: Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Average - extremely overpriced
Drinks Service: Very Good
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Not so good
Music: n/a
Food choices:
Entree: Scallops x 3; Red emperor; Curry chickpea and pumpkin; Oysters x2
Main course: Lamb x 2; Duck x 3; Waygu steak; Red Curry.
Sweets: Pineapple tart (tinned pineapple??) Merangue; Fruit ices and icecream. Honey velvet.
Drinks: bottles of overpriced expensive red and white.
Summary: a snobby resturant (perhaps because it has won several awards) in supurb beachfront location spoiled by being check and jowl with other resturants separated by only plastic sheeting. Food mostly excellent but spoiled by price. Food rated almost 5 stars by everyone but overall rating only 2.6 as not considered value for money.
Present: Irene, Ken, Neil, Gerry, Alex, Louanne, Rod
Overall Rating (value for money) 2.6*
Total Cost per person: $110.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal Greeting and Seating:
Greeting and Seating: Abysmal
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Complimenatry lemon infused sour dough bread. Excellent.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Expensive and not a wide selection.
Specials presentation: Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Average - extremely overpriced
Drinks Service: Very Good
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Not so good
Music: n/a
Food choices:
Entree: Scallops x 3; Red emperor; Curry chickpea and pumpkin; Oysters x2
Main course: Lamb x 2; Duck x 3; Waygu steak; Red Curry.
Sweets: Pineapple tart (tinned pineapple??) Merangue; Fruit ices and icecream. Honey velvet.
Drinks: bottles of overpriced expensive red and white.
Summary: a snobby resturant (perhaps because it has won several awards) in supurb beachfront location spoiled by being check and jowl with other resturants separated by only plastic sheeting. Food mostly excellent but spoiled by price. Food rated almost 5 stars by everyone but overall rating only 2.6 as not considered value for money.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Bushfire Flame and Grill 19th June 2009
Alex's choice. Present: Gerry, Ken, Irene, Michael, Rosellen
Overall Rating: 2.75*
Total Cost per person: $78.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: All food explained fully and the share Churasio Experience was explained and demonstrated.
Wine selection, variety and price: Very Good
Drinks Service: Good
Food Service: Not so good - waiters had to be called over constantly.
Ambiance: Acoustics not good, but rest of decor suitable to type of restaurant.
Music: None - the food was the entertainment.
Food choices: The Churasio Experience choices were a combination of entrees and mains, or mains and desert.Our choices on the staff's suggestion was three with entree and three with desert.
Entree: Tapas - a plate of smoked salmon, fish in batter, chicken sticks, melon, prosciutto and feta to share - not a large serve but all very tasty and well presented.
Main course: A red cabbage salad, baked cauliflower and broccoli gratin, Chat Potatoes, Pork crackling, horseradish and other sauces were all served on the table to share whilst waiters circulated with skewers of flame grilled meat which they sliced off at the table. Diners used tongs to pull the meat off the skewer as it was served. The pork was the outstanding meat with other serves including Chicken, Chirozo sausage, Beef and flame grilled pineapple coated in Cinnamon sugar. Pots of meatballs and seafood were also placed on the table to share.
Sweets: Sweets were a delicious Belgian chocolate fondue to share with fruit, chocolate cake cubes, marshmallows and biscotti, and a generous cheese plate to share.
Drinks: Gina and Tonics, champagnes to start with and adequate red and white wines which I again forgot to write down. :-)
Summary: An interesting and reasonably priced way to dine out. This restaurant is let down by its service. We had to constantly call over the waiters and as they were serving the food this was annoying. Again, for a large international class hotel, better was expected. Wait staff were mostly ESL and the restaurant lacked character due to poor communiction skills.. Food dropped on the floor waited over long to be cleaned up, and then only after several requests. The wine service was also slow and several prompts were required.
Overall Rating: 2.75*
Total Cost per person: $78.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: All food explained fully and the share Churasio Experience was explained and demonstrated.
Wine selection, variety and price: Very Good
Drinks Service: Good
Food Service: Not so good - waiters had to be called over constantly.
Ambiance: Acoustics not good, but rest of decor suitable to type of restaurant.
Music: None - the food was the entertainment.
Food choices: The Churasio Experience choices were a combination of entrees and mains, or mains and desert.Our choices on the staff's suggestion was three with entree and three with desert.
Entree: Tapas - a plate of smoked salmon, fish in batter, chicken sticks, melon, prosciutto and feta to share - not a large serve but all very tasty and well presented.
Main course: A red cabbage salad, baked cauliflower and broccoli gratin, Chat Potatoes, Pork crackling, horseradish and other sauces were all served on the table to share whilst waiters circulated with skewers of flame grilled meat which they sliced off at the table. Diners used tongs to pull the meat off the skewer as it was served. The pork was the outstanding meat with other serves including Chicken, Chirozo sausage, Beef and flame grilled pineapple coated in Cinnamon sugar. Pots of meatballs and seafood were also placed on the table to share.
Sweets: Sweets were a delicious Belgian chocolate fondue to share with fruit, chocolate cake cubes, marshmallows and biscotti, and a generous cheese plate to share.
Drinks: Gina and Tonics, champagnes to start with and adequate red and white wines which I again forgot to write down. :-)
Summary: An interesting and reasonably priced way to dine out. This restaurant is let down by its service. We had to constantly call over the waiters and as they were serving the food this was annoying. Again, for a large international class hotel, better was expected. Wait staff were mostly ESL and the restaurant lacked character due to poor communiction skills.. Food dropped on the floor waited over long to be cleaned up, and then only after several requests. The wine service was also slow and several prompts were required.
Kewarra Beach Resort 22nd May 2009
Irene's choice. Present: Ken, Rosellen, Gerry, Alex, Irene
Overall Rating: 3.1 *
Total Cost per person: $100.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Not so good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: N/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Poor
Ambiance: Very Good
Music: N/A
Food choices:
Entree: Tomato and capsicum soup 3* 3x cajun prawns 3 * form all; Smoked Salmon 3*.
Main course: 2 Eye Fillet Steak both 4*; Moreton Bay bugs 3*; Rack of Lamb 3* Barrimundi 4*
Sweets: Cheese plate 4*; 2 x Lavender Creme Brulee 4*; Apple and Rhubarb crumble 4*.
Drinks: I was slack and didn't write this down but we had adequate bottles of red and white.
Summary: Ambiance is typical beach resort open style restaurant in beach side rain forest setting. very pleasant. Food was adequate but nothing to rave about. Service was poor - particularly given that it is an upmarket resort.
Overall Rating: 3.1 *
Total Cost per person: $100.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Not so good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: N/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Poor
Ambiance: Very Good
Music: N/A
Food choices:
Entree: Tomato and capsicum soup 3* 3x cajun prawns 3 * form all; Smoked Salmon 3*.
Main course: 2 Eye Fillet Steak both 4*; Moreton Bay bugs 3*; Rack of Lamb 3* Barrimundi 4*
Sweets: Cheese plate 4*; 2 x Lavender Creme Brulee 4*; Apple and Rhubarb crumble 4*.
Drinks: I was slack and didn't write this down but we had adequate bottles of red and white.
Summary: Ambiance is typical beach resort open style restaurant in beach side rain forest setting. very pleasant. Food was adequate but nothing to rave about. Service was poor - particularly given that it is an upmarket resort.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Hanuman at the Hilton 20th March 2009
Neil's choice. Present: Gerry, Ken Irene, Neil, Andrew
Overall Rating: 4.79 *
Total Cost per person: $85.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: N/A
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: N/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Very Good
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent
Music: None
Food choices: Food was selected to share as per the asian theme.
Entree: Oysters, Fish, stuffed mushrooms, pork stirfry, porknonya and rice paper rolls. Entrees were inthe mid & teens prcie range.
Main course: Pork Belly, Barrimundi, Red Duck Curry, Lamb Korma, Baby Bok Choy. Mains were all in the high teens early $20s range.
Sweets: Affogatto was ordered but as there was no vanilla ice cream available they were unable to supply it.
Drinks: A bit dissapointing - coffees did not come with chocloate or any of the tid-bits expected in such an establishment.
Summary: An excellent and reasonably priced Asian menu and great ambience - full glass windows overlooking light gardens. Excellent service as one would expect a the Hilton. No vanilla ice cream was a major ovesight for a restuarant at an establishment such as the Hilton ! Our friend David (from the Donini's days) looked after us well.
Overall Rating: 4.79 *
Total Cost per person: $85.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: N/A
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: N/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Very Good
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent
Music: None
Food choices: Food was selected to share as per the asian theme.
Entree: Oysters, Fish, stuffed mushrooms, pork stirfry, porknonya and rice paper rolls. Entrees were inthe mid & teens prcie range.
Main course: Pork Belly, Barrimundi, Red Duck Curry, Lamb Korma, Baby Bok Choy. Mains were all in the high teens early $20s range.
Sweets: Affogatto was ordered but as there was no vanilla ice cream available they were unable to supply it.
Drinks: A bit dissapointing - coffees did not come with chocloate or any of the tid-bits expected in such an establishment.
Summary: An excellent and reasonably priced Asian menu and great ambience - full glass windows overlooking light gardens. Excellent service as one would expect a the Hilton. No vanilla ice cream was a major ovesight for a restuarant at an establishment such as the Hilton ! Our friend David (from the Donini's days) looked after us well.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Oliver's Fine Australian Cuisine 27th Feb. 2009
Michael's choice. Present: Rod, Louanne, Neil, Michael, Rosellen, Alex, Gerry, Ken , Irene
Overall Rating: 4.9 stars - our top restaurant so far !!
Total Cost per person: $106.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Excellent
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Excellent - warm crusty bread with eggplant and sundried tomato dip was supplied complimentary and rated Excellent.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Excellent
Specials presentation: n/a
Wine selection, variety and price: Excellent
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent although garden type style was considered a little casual for such elegant dining. The historic black and white photos throughout the restaurant provided interesting discussion points and added a Parisian feel to the restaurant.
Music: Piped background music - unobtrusive and appropriate.
Food choices:
Entree: prices for entrees were in the high teens early $20 mark. Pumpkin soup; Smoky Oysters in lime foam; Emu and caramelised shallots; Duck proscutio; Taste plates consisting of four samples - Pumpkin soup, Crocodile, Duck proscuto and prawn with noodles. All were rated Excellent except the emu (Very Good) and the Soup rated only good as the "froth" style did not produce enough "body".
Main course: prices for main courses were in the high $20 - high $30s. Both Scallop and Prawn bisques were rated Very Good. The Barramundi was rated Excellent and "to die for". Both Pork dishes were rated as Very Good, whilst the Yellowtail King Fish was downgraded from Excellent to Very Good as it was a bit salty. Kangaroo Shabo Shabo was rated as only Good, not because of the quality of the meal maybe, but because the diner, unattracted to raw meat dishes, was not made aware that Shabo Shabo is a raw meat style, cooked in a soup at the table.
Sweets: prices for sweets were in the high teens - mid $20s. The chocolate volcanoes - hardened chocolate cake with warm runny chocolate centres were voted the hit of the night and the assortment plates of four desserts, including a smaller version of the volcano were also highly regarded. The fruit salad was accompanied by an interesting champagne coconut foam and the trio of creme Brulees - dragon fruit, mango and traditional were delectable. All desserts were rated as Excellent.
Drinks: 2 bottles of Grenache at $67.00 each and 3 bottles of Chardonnay at 30.00 each
Summary: A most impressive but little known restaurant in Cairn's tourist souvenir strip. The narrow frontage gives little indication of the quality of the restaurant within. The food was for the most part exquisite and the service impeccable. Understated professionalism is the only description. Each dish and the ingredient in each dish was special. This is without doubt one of the best restaurants in Cairns. Some of us considered it equal to Cairn's best known quality restaurant - Tamarind and many of us considered it better than Tamarind. certainly a recommendation for a special evening.
Next choice: Neil. Date Third Friday in March - 20th March
Overall Rating: 4.9 stars - our top restaurant so far !!
Total Cost per person: $106.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Excellent
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Excellent - warm crusty bread with eggplant and sundried tomato dip was supplied complimentary and rated Excellent.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Excellent
Specials presentation: n/a
Wine selection, variety and price: Excellent
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent although garden type style was considered a little casual for such elegant dining. The historic black and white photos throughout the restaurant provided interesting discussion points and added a Parisian feel to the restaurant.
Music: Piped background music - unobtrusive and appropriate.
Food choices:
Entree: prices for entrees were in the high teens early $20 mark. Pumpkin soup; Smoky Oysters in lime foam; Emu and caramelised shallots; Duck proscutio; Taste plates consisting of four samples - Pumpkin soup, Crocodile, Duck proscuto and prawn with noodles. All were rated Excellent except the emu (Very Good) and the Soup rated only good as the "froth" style did not produce enough "body".
Main course: prices for main courses were in the high $20 - high $30s. Both Scallop and Prawn bisques were rated Very Good. The Barramundi was rated Excellent and "to die for". Both Pork dishes were rated as Very Good, whilst the Yellowtail King Fish was downgraded from Excellent to Very Good as it was a bit salty. Kangaroo Shabo Shabo was rated as only Good, not because of the quality of the meal maybe, but because the diner, unattracted to raw meat dishes, was not made aware that Shabo Shabo is a raw meat style, cooked in a soup at the table.
Sweets: prices for sweets were in the high teens - mid $20s. The chocolate volcanoes - hardened chocolate cake with warm runny chocolate centres were voted the hit of the night and the assortment plates of four desserts, including a smaller version of the volcano were also highly regarded. The fruit salad was accompanied by an interesting champagne coconut foam and the trio of creme Brulees - dragon fruit, mango and traditional were delectable. All desserts were rated as Excellent.
Drinks: 2 bottles of Grenache at $67.00 each and 3 bottles of Chardonnay at 30.00 each
Summary: A most impressive but little known restaurant in Cairn's tourist souvenir strip. The narrow frontage gives little indication of the quality of the restaurant within. The food was for the most part exquisite and the service impeccable. Understated professionalism is the only description. Each dish and the ingredient in each dish was special. This is without doubt one of the best restaurants in Cairns. Some of us considered it equal to Cairn's best known quality restaurant - Tamarind and many of us considered it better than Tamarind. certainly a recommendation for a special evening.
Next choice: Neil. Date Third Friday in March - 20th March
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Cho Gao at the Pier 9th January 2009
Gerry's Choice. Present: Irene, Ken, Neil, Alex, Gerry, Andrew, Elly.
Overall Rating: Prior to music = 3.9 stars After music commenced = 2.2 stars
Total Cost per person: $52.00 ( excludes deserts and final drinks - deserts and final drinks at Donini's was a further $20.00 per head.
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Excellent
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: N/A
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Excellent
Specials presentation: n/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Good - not a big selection
Drinks Service: Very Good
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Excellent
Music: Abysmal. Subtle Asian themed background music until 8.30 when the DJ came on. The doof doof dance type music - disliked by even the younger members of the party - was a total turn off. What had been a pleasant evening was spoiled by loud, inappropriate music and the arrogance that accompanied it. The waitresses were sympathetic, but were unable to have any influence on the DJ who, gyrating to the music was so absorbed in his own head phoned space that the requests of mere paying customers for a bit less noise whilst eating were treated with disdain. Many people left, and so did we. We were forced to finish our meal at another restaurant. (Our old favourite - Donini's at the Pier).
Food choices: All meals were shared in the Asian Fashion
Entree: Peking duck; Sam Cho Boo; Chicken Curry puffs and Rice Paper Rolls. all rated Excellent.
Main course: Most of the choices rated Excellent: Beef Rendang - tender, hot and spicy; Pork crispy belly was as good as you would get anywhere; Baby Barrimundi was tender, fresh and subtlety spiced with ginger and shallots; and the Pork Stiry fry was colourful and tasty. The only slight disappointment was the Massamum duck curry which rated not so good, as the duck was tough and fatty, and heavily laced with potato at the expense of the duck. Roti and Dhal accompanied and both rated Very Good.
Sweets: N/A
Drinks: Sticks Cabernet Sav. @ $36.00 and a Chapel Hill Unwooded Chardoney @ 38.00 were chosen and were adequate.
Summary: This restaurant/bar has a location to die for and the use of verandah, bar area with high tables and stools, and separate low seated dining area is cleverly done. The bleached bare timber effect and Asian shaped table stools and louvered internal partitioning all add to the Asian flavour. Service, though slightly slow to start, was excellent once warmed up, and bordered on professional once complaints about the music began to flow.
A pleasant dining experience turned into a head splitting, thumping nightmare when the DJ started up at 8.30. It was far too early for this type of music in an eating venue, and the music was totally in appropriate. The trouble is Cho Gao is trying appear to be a restaurant but wants to act like a bar. Its neighbour "Bella Vista" is a very popular bar, and given that they are owned by the same people, one would think they would be better allowing Cho Gao to be the food venue - at least until a little later in the evening. Shame, because the calibre of the food would indicate that they are serious about being a food venue.
All agreed that we would go again, but only early in the evening as a pre movie or show type venue.
Overall Rating: Prior to music = 3.9 stars After music commenced = 2.2 stars
Total Cost per person: $52.00 ( excludes deserts and final drinks - deserts and final drinks at Donini's was a further $20.00 per head.
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Excellent
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: N/A
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Excellent
Specials presentation: n/A
Wine selection, variety and price: Good - not a big selection
Drinks Service: Very Good
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Excellent
Music: Abysmal. Subtle Asian themed background music until 8.30 when the DJ came on. The doof doof dance type music - disliked by even the younger members of the party - was a total turn off. What had been a pleasant evening was spoiled by loud, inappropriate music and the arrogance that accompanied it. The waitresses were sympathetic, but were unable to have any influence on the DJ who, gyrating to the music was so absorbed in his own head phoned space that the requests of mere paying customers for a bit less noise whilst eating were treated with disdain. Many people left, and so did we. We were forced to finish our meal at another restaurant. (Our old favourite - Donini's at the Pier).
Food choices: All meals were shared in the Asian Fashion
Entree: Peking duck; Sam Cho Boo; Chicken Curry puffs and Rice Paper Rolls. all rated Excellent.
Main course: Most of the choices rated Excellent: Beef Rendang - tender, hot and spicy; Pork crispy belly was as good as you would get anywhere; Baby Barrimundi was tender, fresh and subtlety spiced with ginger and shallots; and the Pork Stiry fry was colourful and tasty. The only slight disappointment was the Massamum duck curry which rated not so good, as the duck was tough and fatty, and heavily laced with potato at the expense of the duck. Roti and Dhal accompanied and both rated Very Good.
Sweets: N/A
Drinks: Sticks Cabernet Sav. @ $36.00 and a Chapel Hill Unwooded Chardoney @ 38.00 were chosen and were adequate.
Summary: This restaurant/bar has a location to die for and the use of verandah, bar area with high tables and stools, and separate low seated dining area is cleverly done. The bleached bare timber effect and Asian shaped table stools and louvered internal partitioning all add to the Asian flavour. Service, though slightly slow to start, was excellent once warmed up, and bordered on professional once complaints about the music began to flow.
A pleasant dining experience turned into a head splitting, thumping nightmare when the DJ started up at 8.30. It was far too early for this type of music in an eating venue, and the music was totally in appropriate. The trouble is Cho Gao is trying appear to be a restaurant but wants to act like a bar. Its neighbour "Bella Vista" is a very popular bar, and given that they are owned by the same people, one would think they would be better allowing Cho Gao to be the food venue - at least until a little later in the evening. Shame, because the calibre of the food would indicate that they are serious about being a food venue.
All agreed that we would go again, but only early in the evening as a pre movie or show type venue.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Star Apple at Yorkey's Knob Golf Club 12th December 2008
12th December 2008
Ken's choice
Overall star rating: 3.9 Stars
Total cost per person $70.00
Present: Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex, Neil
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Excellent - new glasses for each wine.
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Good. View out to gold course on a moonlit eveing impressive. Would not have been so good if looking back into the golf club house though.
Food choices:
Entree: Oysters (Very Good); Scallops and proscuito (Very Good) Salt and pepper squid (Good) Egg net (Not so good - tasty, but presentation disappointing based on previous experience of some diners)
Main course: Steak (1 Excellent and 1 Very Good); Fish (Good) Garlic Prawns (Good)
Sweets: Creme Brulee (Excellent) LYchee sorbet (Very Good) Cheese plate (Excellent).
Drinks: Red and white wine correctly served.
Summary: A good quality restuarant in an unlikely location. Needs to find a better location to do the food and service justice and attract more clientele. Even though we finished early, the club house had been long deserted and we were aware that we were keeping the staff from their beds.
Ken's choice
Overall star rating: 3.9 Stars
Total cost per person $70.00
Present: Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex, Neil
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Excellent - new glasses for each wine.
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Good. View out to gold course on a moonlit eveing impressive. Would not have been so good if looking back into the golf club house though.
Food choices:
Entree: Oysters (Very Good); Scallops and proscuito (Very Good) Salt and pepper squid (Good) Egg net (Not so good - tasty, but presentation disappointing based on previous experience of some diners)
Main course: Steak (1 Excellent and 1 Very Good); Fish (Good) Garlic Prawns (Good)
Sweets: Creme Brulee (Excellent) LYchee sorbet (Very Good) Cheese plate (Excellent).
Drinks: Red and white wine correctly served.
Summary: A good quality restuarant in an unlikely location. Needs to find a better location to do the food and service justice and attract more clientele. Even though we finished early, the club house had been long deserted and we were aware that we were keeping the staff from their beds.
Sonia's by the Sea 14th November 2008
14th November 2008
Alex's choice
Overall star rating: 4.1 Stars
Total cost per person $65.00
Present: Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex, Neil
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - limited range but price good.
Drinks Service: Not so Good - Red was too hot.
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent. Seaside with good clientiele feel.
Music: Subtle good quality latin-ish/regae music (piped)
Food choices:
Entree: Oysetrs Naturale (Excellent), Cajun Calamari (1-Good, 1 very Good), Whiting (1 Good, 1 very Good)
Main course: Sticky Apple Pork (Good), Bob Marley Goat Curry (Good) Jimi Hendrix chicken (1 Good, 1 Very Good) Pasta Trinidad (Not so good).
Sweets: Cheese plate for 2 (Excellent)Pineapple Brulee (Very Good), bread and Butter Pudding (Very Good)
Drinks: Red wine served far too hot but otherwise Good.
Summary: A surburban beach side casual restuarant with surprisingly good food and a friendly neighbourhood ambience. Excellent selection of music and nicely themed.
Alex's choice
Overall star rating: 4.1 Stars
Total cost per person $65.00
Present: Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex, Neil
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Good
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - limited range but price good.
Drinks Service: Not so Good - Red was too hot.
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Excellent. Seaside with good clientiele feel.
Music: Subtle good quality latin-ish/regae music (piped)
Food choices:
Entree: Oysetrs Naturale (Excellent), Cajun Calamari (1-Good, 1 very Good), Whiting (1 Good, 1 very Good)
Main course: Sticky Apple Pork (Good), Bob Marley Goat Curry (Good) Jimi Hendrix chicken (1 Good, 1 Very Good) Pasta Trinidad (Not so good).
Sweets: Cheese plate for 2 (Excellent)Pineapple Brulee (Very Good), bread and Butter Pudding (Very Good)
Drinks: Red wine served far too hot but otherwise Good.
Summary: A surburban beach side casual restuarant with surprisingly good food and a friendly neighbourhood ambience. Excellent selection of music and nicely themed.
Luminere 12th Sept. 2008
12th September 2008
Louanne's choice
Overall star rating: 3.75 Stars
Total cost per person $82.00
Present: Louanne, Rod, Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Not so good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.:Very Good
Specials presentation: very Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - limited range but price good.
Drinks Service: Good
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Not so good. Noise spill over from other open areas annoying. Open area needs shielding off from other eares. Too open and bare. At least some plants or barriers dividing the area off would have improved the ambience.
Music: None
Food choices:
Entree: Pate, Terrene, Scallops, prawns - all rated excellent except the Prawns whcih were rated good.
Main course: Rabbit Pie, Steak and Oysters, Confit of Duck, Coq au Vin - all rated excellent except the duck, which was tough. - only a Good.
Sweets: Chocolate tart, (Good) Creme Caramel (Good), Creme Brulee (Excellent), lemon cheescake (Good).
Drinks: Shadowfaz Victorian /shiraz $35.00; Olive Grove Chardonnay. Good.
Summary: This new water front area needs to mature. Too open to the other resturants in the strip. Food was good, service excellent. Needs to develop character.
Louanne's choice
Overall star rating: 3.75 Stars
Total cost per person $82.00
Present: Louanne, Rod, Irene, Gerry, Ken, Alex
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Excellent
Table Presentation: Not so good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.:Very Good
Specials presentation: very Good
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - limited range but price good.
Drinks Service: Good
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Not so good. Noise spill over from other open areas annoying. Open area needs shielding off from other eares. Too open and bare. At least some plants or barriers dividing the area off would have improved the ambience.
Music: None
Food choices:
Entree: Pate, Terrene, Scallops, prawns - all rated excellent except the Prawns whcih were rated good.
Main course: Rabbit Pie, Steak and Oysters, Confit of Duck, Coq au Vin - all rated excellent except the duck, which was tough. - only a Good.
Sweets: Chocolate tart, (Good) Creme Caramel (Good), Creme Brulee (Excellent), lemon cheescake (Good).
Drinks: Shadowfaz Victorian /shiraz $35.00; Olive Grove Chardonnay. Good.
Summary: This new water front area needs to mature. Too open to the other resturants in the strip. Food was good, service excellent. Needs to develop character.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sacred Spice at Stratford 8th August 2008
Rod's choice
Present: Gerry, Alex, Ken, Irene, Rod, Louanne
Overall Rating: 3.45*
Total Cost per person: $62.50
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good.
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks, breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good - limited to menu. Could do a nightly special.
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - not a good selection.
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Poor
Ambiance: Good: minimalist restaurant with appropriate decor for a "spice" restaurant.
Food choices
Entree: Two red hot chili squid; Two oysters, a flamed prawns; and lemongrass Cha Bo. All rated excellent.
Main course: Sour fish rated excellent; Lamb shanks rated excellent, Cardamon chicken rated good; Saffron seafood soup rated not so good; West Indies spiced goat rated good; Am Char fish Very good although the salad was drowned.
Sweets: Fig and almond Semi Fredo; Marsala dates; chocolate tart; flaming bananas all rated excellent.
Drinks: Red and white choices extremely limited and several choice on the menu not available.
Summary: Overall disappointing as a "spice" restaurant. Meals, particularly the seafood soup were bland and quality of the main courses did not match the quality of the entrees and sweets. Service was extremely poor and the only evidence of professional training was in the Maitre de. the one waitress had no training and obviously little restaurant experience. Given the number of patrons, service should have been much better.
Present: Gerry, Alex, Ken, Irene, Rod, Louanne
Overall Rating: 3.45*
Total Cost per person: $62.50
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good.
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks, breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good - limited to menu. Could do a nightly special.
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Not so good - not a good selection.
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Poor
Ambiance: Good: minimalist restaurant with appropriate decor for a "spice" restaurant.
Food choices
Entree: Two red hot chili squid; Two oysters, a flamed prawns; and lemongrass Cha Bo. All rated excellent.
Main course: Sour fish rated excellent; Lamb shanks rated excellent, Cardamon chicken rated good; Saffron seafood soup rated not so good; West Indies spiced goat rated good; Am Char fish Very good although the salad was drowned.
Sweets: Fig and almond Semi Fredo; Marsala dates; chocolate tart; flaming bananas all rated excellent.
Drinks: Red and white choices extremely limited and several choice on the menu not available.
Summary: Overall disappointing as a "spice" restaurant. Meals, particularly the seafood soup were bland and quality of the main courses did not match the quality of the entrees and sweets. Service was extremely poor and the only evidence of professional training was in the Maitre de. the one waitress had no training and obviously little restaurant experience. Given the number of patrons, service should have been much better.
Salted Vue 4th July 2008
RoseEllen's choice
Present: Neil, RoseEllen, Michael, Gerry, Alex, Ken, Irene, Andrew, Alex
Overall Rating: 4.8* Total Cost per person: $58.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: did not provide table on verandah as arranged when booked. Expressed disappointment at table provided inside. Wait staff reacted by providing a ridiculously overlarge and cramped table on the verandah. After asking for the manager and some manoeuvring the table was rearranged and eventually we were accommodated. Manager was very helpful and accommodating.
Table Presentation: Nothing special - verandah table open wood with place mats.
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: very good eventually.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Set menu. 3 courses at $34.50. Selection of about six items per course.
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Average for this type of restaurant.
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Very good but a lot of noise coming for The Esplanade. Cars, Motor Bikes, bungy rides etc. spoiled ambiance of an almost waterfront location.
Music: Piped music on the verandah far too loud for a restaurant - even given that there was a lot of noise to get over. choice of music also very annoying and several guests commented that it got on their nerves. Eventually asked for it to be turned down.
Food choices
Entree: Three cauliflower soups rated 4.5; Two Thai beef rated 4; Asian pork rated 5; Wild mushrooms rated 4; Fish Cakes rated 4. All reported as excellent.
Main course: Two steaks rated 4; A Coconut chicken rated 4; Pork cutlet rated 4; Atlantic Salmon rated 5; 3 lamb dishes rated 4.
Sweets: Two chocolate tarts rated 5; Four Chocolate eclairs rated 4; A Merangue rated 4 and a lemongrass panacotta rated 4.5.
Drinks:
Summary: Overall great food and great value. Adequate wine list and great value for money. Not the place for a quiet night out. The Managers attention smoothed out the initial hiccups. We all agreed thought that we probably would not go there again because of the noise.
Present: Neil, RoseEllen, Michael, Gerry, Alex, Ken, Irene, Andrew, Alex
Overall Rating: 4.8* Total Cost per person: $58.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: did not provide table on verandah as arranged when booked. Expressed disappointment at table provided inside. Wait staff reacted by providing a ridiculously overlarge and cramped table on the verandah. After asking for the manager and some manoeuvring the table was rearranged and eventually we were accommodated. Manager was very helpful and accommodating.
Table Presentation: Nothing special - verandah table open wood with place mats.
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: very good eventually.
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Set menu. 3 courses at $34.50. Selection of about six items per course.
Specials presentation: none
Wine selection, variety and price: Average for this type of restaurant.
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Very good but a lot of noise coming for The Esplanade. Cars, Motor Bikes, bungy rides etc. spoiled ambiance of an almost waterfront location.
Music: Piped music on the verandah far too loud for a restaurant - even given that there was a lot of noise to get over. choice of music also very annoying and several guests commented that it got on their nerves. Eventually asked for it to be turned down.
Food choices
Entree: Three cauliflower soups rated 4.5; Two Thai beef rated 4; Asian pork rated 5; Wild mushrooms rated 4; Fish Cakes rated 4. All reported as excellent.
Main course: Two steaks rated 4; A Coconut chicken rated 4; Pork cutlet rated 4; Atlantic Salmon rated 5; 3 lamb dishes rated 4.
Sweets: Two chocolate tarts rated 5; Four Chocolate eclairs rated 4; A Merangue rated 4 and a lemongrass panacotta rated 4.5.
Drinks:
Summary: Overall great food and great value. Adequate wine list and great value for money. Not the place for a quiet night out. The Managers attention smoothed out the initial hiccups. We all agreed thought that we probably would not go there again because of the noise.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Diggers - June 6th
Irene's choice. Neil 3*, Alex 3*, Gerry 2 1/2*, Ken 3*, Irene 3*, RoseEllen 3*, Michael 3*
Overall Rating: 2.9 stars
Total Cost per person: $74.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Abysmal
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Abysmal
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: Poor
Wine selection, variety and price: Abysmal
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Good
Ambiance: Very good
Music: Good
Food choices:
Entree: Scallops (P) Oyster Kilpatrick (P), Oysters Napoli (P), Smoked Salmon x 2 (VG), Soup (Mushroom Zuccinini and Bacon), (G) Oysters natural (G).
Main course: Duck x 3 (2 G, 1 P), Waigu steak x 3 (P) Rogan Josh curry (G)
Sweets: creme brulee x 2 (G)
Drinks: Yalumba Merlot, Yalumba Shiraz, 2x Jacobs Creek Chardonnay.
Summary: This restaurant is in a motel in the northern end of Digger St. which services the lower end of the motel/apartment tourist market. The greeting and seating was non existent, we were left to find our own table, which we identified because it was the only one set for 7 people. Tables were pushed together and this meant that the person in the middle had to straddle two large chunky wooden table legs. Other diners were obviously lone motel residents, except for one loud group of women obviously on a cheap girls night out. The decor is straight from the 80s with mirrors and heavy wooden furniture.
The wine selection, at $17.00 a bottle was cheap enough but limited to a choice of three Jacobs Creek white varieties and three Yalumba red varieties. Fortunately they do allow BYO. The food selection was standard for this style of restaurant, but the waitress had no idea of the specials, then informed us that half of them were off. Quality was patchy, with all reporting the oyster small and the steaks dry. The smoked salmon, on the other hand, was served in large proportions. One of the duck dishes was so tough it was almost inedible, but the other two were reported tender and fine with a very tasty sauce.
The lights were switched down at 10 pm and we were asked to leave. A nice surprise on the way out was that one of the party turned out to knew the owner from previous restaurants, and we were given a 10% discount.
Overall Rating: 2.9 stars
Total Cost per person: $74.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Abysmal
Table Presentation: Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Abysmal
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Good
Specials presentation: Poor
Wine selection, variety and price: Abysmal
Drinks Service: Poor
Food Service: Good
Ambiance: Very good
Music: Good
Food choices:
Entree: Scallops (P) Oyster Kilpatrick (P), Oysters Napoli (P), Smoked Salmon x 2 (VG), Soup (Mushroom Zuccinini and Bacon), (G) Oysters natural (G).
Main course: Duck x 3 (2 G, 1 P), Waigu steak x 3 (P) Rogan Josh curry (G)
Sweets: creme brulee x 2 (G)
Drinks: Yalumba Merlot, Yalumba Shiraz, 2x Jacobs Creek Chardonnay.
Summary: This restaurant is in a motel in the northern end of Digger St. which services the lower end of the motel/apartment tourist market. The greeting and seating was non existent, we were left to find our own table, which we identified because it was the only one set for 7 people. Tables were pushed together and this meant that the person in the middle had to straddle two large chunky wooden table legs. Other diners were obviously lone motel residents, except for one loud group of women obviously on a cheap girls night out. The decor is straight from the 80s with mirrors and heavy wooden furniture.
The wine selection, at $17.00 a bottle was cheap enough but limited to a choice of three Jacobs Creek white varieties and three Yalumba red varieties. Fortunately they do allow BYO. The food selection was standard for this style of restaurant, but the waitress had no idea of the specials, then informed us that half of them were off. Quality was patchy, with all reporting the oyster small and the steaks dry. The smoked salmon, on the other hand, was served in large proportions. One of the duck dishes was so tough it was almost inedible, but the other two were reported tender and fine with a very tasty sauce.
The lights were switched down at 10 pm and we were asked to leave. A nice surprise on the way out was that one of the party turned out to knew the owner from previous restaurants, and we were given a 10% discount.
Mangosteins 18th April
Neil's choice: Rod 3*, Louanne 3 1/2*, Neil 4 1/2* , Irene 4 1/2*, Gerry 4*, Ken 4*, Alex 31/2*
Overall Rating: 3.2*
Total Cost per person: $85.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: None
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Music: Very Good
Food choices:
Entree: Salt and pepper callimari (G), tempura and Kilpartick oysters (VG), Scallops (G) Oyesters Ninjari (VG), Callimari (NSG), Oysters natural (G)
Main course: Lamb shanks (NSG), Moreton Bay bugs (NSG), Seafood Basket x 3 (G, G, VG), fish of day (G) Atlantic Salmon (VG)
Sweets: Sticky Date Pudding (E) Chocolate pudding (E) Figs (E), strawberries (E)
Drinks: good selection well priced.
Summary: An esplanade restuarant so caters to tourist trade with an emphasis on sea food with a sea food theme. Service was friendly and the incorrect starter drinks were quickly replaced. Cloth serviettes were a bonus. The meals were generally reported to be below standard and this reduced the overall star rating.
Overall Rating: 3.2*
Total Cost per person: $85.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and Seating: Very Good
Table Presentation: Very Good
Settling in - drinks breads etc.: Very Good
Menu selection, variety price etc.: Very Good
Specials presentation: None
Wine selection, variety and price: Good
Drinks Service: Excellent
Food Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Music: Very Good
Food choices:
Entree: Salt and pepper callimari (G), tempura and Kilpartick oysters (VG), Scallops (G) Oyesters Ninjari (VG), Callimari (NSG), Oysters natural (G)
Main course: Lamb shanks (NSG), Moreton Bay bugs (NSG), Seafood Basket x 3 (G, G, VG), fish of day (G) Atlantic Salmon (VG)
Sweets: Sticky Date Pudding (E) Chocolate pudding (E) Figs (E), strawberries (E)
Drinks: good selection well priced.
Summary: An esplanade restuarant so caters to tourist trade with an emphasis on sea food with a sea food theme. Service was friendly and the incorrect starter drinks were quickly replaced. Cloth serviettes were a bonus. The meals were generally reported to be below standard and this reduced the overall star rating.
Tamarind - March
Gerry's choice. Gerry 4*, Alex 5*, Ken 5*, Irene 4 1/2*, Neil 5*
Overall Rating: 4.7 stars
Total Cost per person: $130.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and seating: Excellent
Table presentation: Excellent
Settling in: drinks, breads etc. Excellent
Specials presentation: None
Menu selection, variety and price: small but good. Vegetarians catered for.
Wine selection, variety and price: wide variety and well priced for this style of restaurant.
Drinks Service - Rating:
Food Service - Rating:
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent
Music - Rating: None
Free Appetiser: Tuna tartar
Entree: Sam Choy Boo (Ken), Scallops (Irene) Peking duck Spring Rolls (Neil) Peppered Quail (Alex) Mixed platter of entrees (Gerry)
Main course: Tasmanian Ocean trout (Ken 10/10) Pink Prawn and Cuttlefish curry (Irene 8 1/2 /10) Crispy Baby Barrimundi (Alex 14/10) Crispy Pork belly (Gerry 8/10)
Sweets: we all had sweets but I didn't write them down!!
Drinks: yes - several bottles of red and white - good quality and good selection.
Summary: This is considered one of Cairns best restaurants and located on the ground floor of the Casino, adjacent to the Sofitel Hotel it is aimed at the upper end of the Cairns dining market. The theme is Asian but with sufficient choice on the menu to cater for all. Everything rated extremely well and was superbly presented with the imagination and panache one would expect from a restaurant of this calibre The only down side was some diners reported their meals very salty, and/or heavily sauced. The curry and the pork belly in particular. This brought the overall rating down from 5 to a hotly debated 4 1/2 stars.
Overall Rating: 4.7 stars
Total Cost per person: $130.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Greeting and seating: Excellent
Table presentation: Excellent
Settling in: drinks, breads etc. Excellent
Specials presentation: None
Menu selection, variety and price: small but good. Vegetarians catered for.
Wine selection, variety and price: wide variety and well priced for this style of restaurant.
Drinks Service - Rating:
Food Service - Rating:
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent
Music - Rating: None
Free Appetiser: Tuna tartar
Entree: Sam Choy Boo (Ken), Scallops (Irene) Peking duck Spring Rolls (Neil) Peppered Quail (Alex) Mixed platter of entrees (Gerry)
Main course: Tasmanian Ocean trout (Ken 10/10) Pink Prawn and Cuttlefish curry (Irene 8 1/2 /10) Crispy Baby Barrimundi (Alex 14/10) Crispy Pork belly (Gerry 8/10)
Sweets: we all had sweets but I didn't write them down!!
Drinks: yes - several bottles of red and white - good quality and good selection.
Summary: This is considered one of Cairns best restaurants and located on the ground floor of the Casino, adjacent to the Sofitel Hotel it is aimed at the upper end of the Cairns dining market. The theme is Asian but with sufficient choice on the menu to cater for all. Everything rated extremely well and was superbly presented with the imagination and panache one would expect from a restaurant of this calibre The only down side was some diners reported their meals very salty, and/or heavily sauced. The curry and the pork belly in particular. This brought the overall rating down from 5 to a hotly debated 4 1/2 stars.
Coolums on the beach at Holloway's Beach - February
Ken's choice - Ken 4*, Irene 3 1/2*, Gerry 2*, Alex 3 /12* 16th February 2008
Overall Rating: 3.2 stars
Total Cost per person: $70.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent - verandahs overlooking the beach make this one of Cairns most atmospheric resturabts.
Music - Rating: Good - quiet middle of the road backgorund music. soothing and matched ambience.
Unfortunately your intrepid reporter did not take notes that night and can't remember what everyone ate. The food for everyone was considered good to very good. What let the restuarant down was the service. One member of the party who had not been well asked for an entree serve of risotto as a main, only to be informed that this was not possible. Only main course sizes could be served. Later she asked to take the remainder home, but was also informed this was also not possible. On paying for the night, when we complained about this, the owner informed us that the waiter was incorect and we could have had an entree size. She reduced the bill accordingly.
Overall Rating: 3.2 stars
Total Cost per person: $70.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent - verandahs overlooking the beach make this one of Cairns most atmospheric resturabts.
Music - Rating: Good - quiet middle of the road backgorund music. soothing and matched ambience.
Unfortunately your intrepid reporter did not take notes that night and can't remember what everyone ate. The food for everyone was considered good to very good. What let the restuarant down was the service. One member of the party who had not been well asked for an entree serve of risotto as a main, only to be informed that this was not possible. Only main course sizes could be served. Later she asked to take the remainder home, but was also informed this was also not possible. On paying for the night, when we complained about this, the owner informed us that the waiter was incorect and we could have had an entree size. She reduced the bill accordingly.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Lago at The Lakes 18th January 2008
Alex's choice. Neil 4*, Alex 4*, Gerry 4*, Rod 4*, Louanne 3 1/2*
Overall Rating: 3.9 stars
Total Cost per person: $70.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant has a reputation for fine dining in fine surroundings. The Lakes is a residential and holiday apartment resort complex surrounded by beautiful gardens, not far from the Cairns Botanical Gardens and Centenary Lakes. We were delighted to discover that the Matre d' was our old friend David from the early Doninis days. However he informed us it was his second last night as he was returning to Darwin.
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent. Beautiful timber floors and timber windows overlooking the resort complex and roads. View not as I imagined it would be, as the glassed in verandah are overlooked a row of apartments. No table cloths, but linen serviettes and etched glassware and quality crockery and cutlery gave an upmarket feel.
Music - Rating: Good. Piped background music, subtle and low key middle of the road.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. Choice small but well written. A reasonably priced set three course menu with a choice of two items each course ($39.00) a degustation menu at $75.00 per head was considered too expensive.
Entree: Risotto, Asparagus/Mushrooms, Sashimi, and breads rated Very Good and the Scallop/Prawn Ravoli rated Excellent.
Main course: the 2 Racks of Lamb, Chicken Confit on chick pea mash rated only Not so Good, the Barramundi Very Good and the Scallop & Prawn Ravioli - Excellent. The lamb and chicken were deemed bland and tasteless.
Sweets: The brulees and coffee torte rated Very Good. Two coffees were ordered and were brought to the table with an apology that they were not as good as they could be - the machine was playing up. They were returned and replaced by coffee of a similar standard ??
Drinks: Drink selection was upmarket and a quality wine list, priced slightly above standard. Wines at the lower end of the price scale were chosen. The red was served far too hot and had to be taken away and cooled. One wonders why a restaurant of this calibre does not have a wine fridge or, or at least store table ready wines in air conditioning.
Drinks Service - Rating: Good. The waiter knew his wines and was apologetic at the temperature of the wine. Complimentary liqueurs were offered at the end of the meal.
Food Service - Rating: Good. The gap in between entree and mains was not long enough. Waiter extremely professional and knowledgeable, but female wait staff who served the plates were obviously not trained.
Summary: Overall, a pleasant evening, and most of the deficiencies were corrected. Not a restaurant where one would expect the waitress to juggle too many plates and serve across people - but she did! One downside: being a tourist apartment complex and out of town, many of the diners were residents with small children. even though seated in a different area, tired, crying two year olds after 10 pm are painfull for everyone. We were actually surprised to discover that the per head cost was only just over $70.00
Overall Rating: 3.9 stars
Total Cost per person: $70.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant has a reputation for fine dining in fine surroundings. The Lakes is a residential and holiday apartment resort complex surrounded by beautiful gardens, not far from the Cairns Botanical Gardens and Centenary Lakes. We were delighted to discover that the Matre d' was our old friend David from the early Doninis days. However he informed us it was his second last night as he was returning to Darwin.
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent. Beautiful timber floors and timber windows overlooking the resort complex and roads. View not as I imagined it would be, as the glassed in verandah are overlooked a row of apartments. No table cloths, but linen serviettes and etched glassware and quality crockery and cutlery gave an upmarket feel.
Music - Rating: Good. Piped background music, subtle and low key middle of the road.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. Choice small but well written. A reasonably priced set three course menu with a choice of two items each course ($39.00) a degustation menu at $75.00 per head was considered too expensive.
Entree: Risotto, Asparagus/Mushrooms, Sashimi, and breads rated Very Good and the Scallop/Prawn Ravoli rated Excellent.
Main course: the 2 Racks of Lamb, Chicken Confit on chick pea mash rated only Not so Good, the Barramundi Very Good and the Scallop & Prawn Ravioli - Excellent. The lamb and chicken were deemed bland and tasteless.
Sweets: The brulees and coffee torte rated Very Good. Two coffees were ordered and were brought to the table with an apology that they were not as good as they could be - the machine was playing up. They were returned and replaced by coffee of a similar standard ??
Drinks: Drink selection was upmarket and a quality wine list, priced slightly above standard. Wines at the lower end of the price scale were chosen. The red was served far too hot and had to be taken away and cooled. One wonders why a restaurant of this calibre does not have a wine fridge or, or at least store table ready wines in air conditioning.
Drinks Service - Rating: Good. The waiter knew his wines and was apologetic at the temperature of the wine. Complimentary liqueurs were offered at the end of the meal.
Food Service - Rating: Good. The gap in between entree and mains was not long enough. Waiter extremely professional and knowledgeable, but female wait staff who served the plates were obviously not trained.
Summary: Overall, a pleasant evening, and most of the deficiencies were corrected. Not a restaurant where one would expect the waitress to juggle too many plates and serve across people - but she did! One downside: being a tourist apartment complex and out of town, many of the diners were residents with small children. even though seated in a different area, tired, crying two year olds after 10 pm are painfull for everyone. We were actually surprised to discover that the per head cost was only just over $70.00
Marinade's Indian Restuarant 2nd Nov. 2007
Irene's choice. Ken, Irene, Neil, Alex, Gerry, Alan
Overall Rating: 3 star
Total Cost per person: $75.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant is considered the best Indian restaurant in Cairns and specialises in Northern Indian cuisine. There is an excellent range of Indian breads, but overall the servings are extremely small. As with most restaurants of this type, dishes come to the table to share, which means that not all diners might get a taste of everything, as there is often not enough pieces of meat, prawns etc. for one each. Large tables should order two serves. The restaurant has several private group areas at the rear of the restaurant.
Ambiance - Rating: Good. Nice decor - not overly Indian, paper place mats with prints complementing the decor and linen serviettes. Being seated near the open doors made it uncomfortably hot as the airconditioning and fans did not extend to that area. It pays to ask for an interior table in hot weather.
Music - Rating: Good. Background piped Indian music - not too intrusive.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. An extensive menu of northern Indian food. Reasonably well explained in the menu but waiters extremely helpful and knowledgeable and willing to Anglicise items.
Entree: none
Main course: Dal, Murg Tak E Tak (chicken in Peshwari spice), Lamb Rogan Josh, Goan Prawns in coconut mil and spices, Navratta Korma (vegetables with dried fruit and cashew nut sauce), Bengali fish curry. Breads: Naan, Roti. Ratia and rice. All food was rated as Very Good, but serves small. With only six people one would expect at least one prawn each.
Sweets: none
Drinks: The first bottle of white wine was too hot, but was replaced. Otherwise wine choice and cost was rated Good.
Drinks Service - Rating: Good. After the initial settling in service it was difficult to attract attention.
Food Service - Rating: Good. Food took longer than acceptable to arrive. Wait staff efficient but not overly friendly.
Summary: There are many much cheaper Indian restaurants around serving larger portions of good food. Marinades food is certainly tasty, but not good value for money in this genre of restaurants.
Overall Rating: 3 star
Total Cost per person: $75.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant is considered the best Indian restaurant in Cairns and specialises in Northern Indian cuisine. There is an excellent range of Indian breads, but overall the servings are extremely small. As with most restaurants of this type, dishes come to the table to share, which means that not all diners might get a taste of everything, as there is often not enough pieces of meat, prawns etc. for one each. Large tables should order two serves. The restaurant has several private group areas at the rear of the restaurant.
Ambiance - Rating: Good. Nice decor - not overly Indian, paper place mats with prints complementing the decor and linen serviettes. Being seated near the open doors made it uncomfortably hot as the airconditioning and fans did not extend to that area. It pays to ask for an interior table in hot weather.
Music - Rating: Good. Background piped Indian music - not too intrusive.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. An extensive menu of northern Indian food. Reasonably well explained in the menu but waiters extremely helpful and knowledgeable and willing to Anglicise items.
Entree: none
Main course: Dal, Murg Tak E Tak (chicken in Peshwari spice), Lamb Rogan Josh, Goan Prawns in coconut mil and spices, Navratta Korma (vegetables with dried fruit and cashew nut sauce), Bengali fish curry. Breads: Naan, Roti. Ratia and rice. All food was rated as Very Good, but serves small. With only six people one would expect at least one prawn each.
Sweets: none
Drinks: The first bottle of white wine was too hot, but was replaced. Otherwise wine choice and cost was rated Good.
Drinks Service - Rating: Good. After the initial settling in service it was difficult to attract attention.
Food Service - Rating: Good. Food took longer than acceptable to arrive. Wait staff efficient but not overly friendly.
Summary: There are many much cheaper Indian restaurants around serving larger portions of good food. Marinades food is certainly tasty, but not good value for money in this genre of restaurants.
Adelphi Greek Restaurant 12th Oct. 2007
Neil's Choice. Ken, Irene, Alex, Neil, Gerry attended.
Overall Rating: 3 star
Total Cost per person: $80.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant for years was known as Yanni's Greek Taverna, is now owned by the Andre family of musician Peter Andre fame. His brother Chris is the restaurant entertainment on guitar & bouzouki playing mostly Greek/Cypriot ethnic style music.
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent. The restaurant comprises two parts - a semi outdoor area in the style of a Greek street courtyard, and an inside area which we selected as air conditioning is mandatory in Cairns during the summer months. The restaurant is clean, with starched white tablecloths and linen serviettes. Acoustics are not good - very noisy even without the music.
Music - Rating: Poor. Even though we were as far away as possible from the outdoor music, it was so loud that our table vibrated. Table talk was nigh on impossible and I found myself hanging out for the music breaks.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. Typical Greek fare with seafood, lamb and pasta featuring high. Prices were average and the feast menu good value for the hungry. The specials were well presented and the waitress was well versed in the evening's offerings.
Entree: Halomi, chilli muscles and whitebait rated Very Good with the scallops rating Excellent.
Main course: Mackerel with pasta, drunken prawns rated Very Good and the two mixed grills rated not so good (too fatty/greasy) and the quail rated poor (dry and tiny).
Sweets: none
Drinks: Retsina was of good quality and not too strong. House red was acceptable and reasonably priced.
Drinks Service - Rating: Abysmal. The waitress admitted she did not know how to decork the bottle and we had to show her how to do it as other staff were run off their feet. The wrong wine was brought twice and had to be returned. whilst we put up with this for the red, we had to ask for the retsina glasses to be changed. As numbers increased it became difficult to order drinks.
Food Service - Rating: Very Good. Efficient with acceptable waiting periods - although we did dine early.
This a very busy, popular restaurant - particularly for large groups who choose the feast. This restaurant is known for its belly dancers and plate smashing, however on this night it did not occur. Not recommended for a quiet night out, or diners who want conversation. Not a lot of choice for those who do not eat seafood or vegetarians.
Overall Rating: 3 star
Total Cost per person: $80.00
Ratings scale: Excellent; Very Good; Good; Not so Good; Poor; Abysmal
This restaurant for years was known as Yanni's Greek Taverna, is now owned by the Andre family of musician Peter Andre fame. His brother Chris is the restaurant entertainment on guitar & bouzouki playing mostly Greek/Cypriot ethnic style music.
Ambiance - Rating: Excellent. The restaurant comprises two parts - a semi outdoor area in the style of a Greek street courtyard, and an inside area which we selected as air conditioning is mandatory in Cairns during the summer months. The restaurant is clean, with starched white tablecloths and linen serviettes. Acoustics are not good - very noisy even without the music.
Music - Rating: Poor. Even though we were as far away as possible from the outdoor music, it was so loud that our table vibrated. Table talk was nigh on impossible and I found myself hanging out for the music breaks.
Menu - Rating: Very Good. Typical Greek fare with seafood, lamb and pasta featuring high. Prices were average and the feast menu good value for the hungry. The specials were well presented and the waitress was well versed in the evening's offerings.
Entree: Halomi, chilli muscles and whitebait rated Very Good with the scallops rating Excellent.
Main course: Mackerel with pasta, drunken prawns rated Very Good and the two mixed grills rated not so good (too fatty/greasy) and the quail rated poor (dry and tiny).
Sweets: none
Drinks: Retsina was of good quality and not too strong. House red was acceptable and reasonably priced.
Drinks Service - Rating: Abysmal. The waitress admitted she did not know how to decork the bottle and we had to show her how to do it as other staff were run off their feet. The wrong wine was brought twice and had to be returned. whilst we put up with this for the red, we had to ask for the retsina glasses to be changed. As numbers increased it became difficult to order drinks.
Food Service - Rating: Very Good. Efficient with acceptable waiting periods - although we did dine early.
This a very busy, popular restaurant - particularly for large groups who choose the feast. This restaurant is known for its belly dancers and plate smashing, however on this night it did not occur. Not recommended for a quiet night out, or diners who want conversation. Not a lot of choice for those who do not eat seafood or vegetarians.
Willie McBrides at the Fig Tree
So after several false starts at various venues, we settled at Willie McBrides at the Fig Tree. BUT this involved a major life style change. The session was at night .... starting 7.30 AND it was a bit out of the city - no restaurants in the immediate vicinity. What were we to do about dinner? By this time it had become too much of an institution for too many of us to just give it up.
Solution: eat at the Fig Tree. Well, this worked for a while until we had eaten everything on the menu several times, then we discovered the little gem "Kings" across the road. Kings is on the ground floor of a most ordinary looking cheap motel, with decor straight from the 70s. BUT restaurateur Dennis certainly has a good thing going. Not only good food, but if you dine before 7pm - two for the price of one. CHEAP AND GOOD. No wonder he is packed out. BUT of course when you eat there every week, the menu starts to get a little limited .. and the special is always the same.
After two years at that end of town we were beginning to be seriously concerned that our taste buds were becoming ossified. New places were opening in town that we had never heard of. we were becoming out of touch. Hence the second friday night dinner club. The second Friday of every month one of us would choose a restaurant, and we would conduct an appraisal, including rating and reviewing. Hence this blog and the remainder of the postings.
Solution: eat at the Fig Tree. Well, this worked for a while until we had eaten everything on the menu several times, then we discovered the little gem "Kings" across the road. Kings is on the ground floor of a most ordinary looking cheap motel, with decor straight from the 70s. BUT restaurateur Dennis certainly has a good thing going. Not only good food, but if you dine before 7pm - two for the price of one. CHEAP AND GOOD. No wonder he is packed out. BUT of course when you eat there every week, the menu starts to get a little limited .. and the special is always the same.
After two years at that end of town we were beginning to be seriously concerned that our taste buds were becoming ossified. New places were opening in town that we had never heard of. we were becoming out of touch. Hence the second friday night dinner club. The second Friday of every month one of us would choose a restaurant, and we would conduct an appraisal, including rating and reviewing. Hence this blog and the remainder of the postings.
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