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
Saturday, March 7, 2009
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.
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