Food 8/10
This is Le Pain Quotidien's drawcard. Fresh bread is an order of magnitude better, and here they take advantage of this freshness and quality in all but a handful of their dishes. Although bread is one of the most traditional foods, when done well it adds a brilliant underlay for a great meal. However, bread is not the only thing they do well here. The Tartines are amazing, full of fresh and flavoursome gourmet ingredients, which combine well and make for a brilliant lunch. I would recommend sticking to the bread based options.
Service 5/10
The service here lacked in many aspects, with mixed up orders, inattention and poor communication. It seemed at times like we were an inconvenience.
Atmosphere 7/10
It feels very much like a traditional European bakehouse. Very interesting decor and open feel is more suited to a cafe lunch and chat more than romantic dinner. Smell of fresh bread adds to the appeal.
Value 9/10
The prices are quite good considering the quality of ingredients going into your meal. You could imagine this pricing at an establishment without waitservice.
Overall 7/10
We enjoyed going to Le Pain Quotidien and will be back. Service aside it was a great place to eat a weekend lunch.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Portofino Italian Restaurant Norton St
Food 9/10
Portofino has been a favourite of ours even before we moved to Leichhardt. It's always got great pizza but you would be missing out if that's all you ordered, because their menu is full of great dishes. I had the eye fillet scampi special and it was the best I've had in Leichhardt, cooked perfectly and with an exceptional sauce and mash. Scampi was also tasty and well presented. I sampled two of the chicken dishes which came to our table and they were both exceptional too. The bruschetta also stands out. Freshness and food quality are both great.
Service 9/10
We were greeted nicely and the service was a standout. Very warm and friendly but not in your face. The waiter had a smile which you know came from him enjoying his job. The owner has a very welcoming and cheeky manner which helps everyone to enjoy their night.
Atmosphere 6/10
Unfortunately when it's a busy night and it's full downstairs it becomes very noisy, and this can take away from the experience. On the brighter side, the upstairs area is much better, so if you dine up there you may enjoy the atmosphere more. The fitout and decor is not memorable as is the food, and the menu design is cluttered and simplistic which is not a great start.
Value 7/10
Everything is appropraitely priced, with the wine perhaps slightly on the more expensive end of the scale.
Overall 8/10
This is in reality almost a 9 out of 10. If I were seated upstairs I would have given a 9. I enjoy every time I go here and it's a sure fire hit whenever we take our friends along. Mints at the end are a nice finish.
Portofino has been a favourite of ours even before we moved to Leichhardt. It's always got great pizza but you would be missing out if that's all you ordered, because their menu is full of great dishes. I had the eye fillet scampi special and it was the best I've had in Leichhardt, cooked perfectly and with an exceptional sauce and mash. Scampi was also tasty and well presented. I sampled two of the chicken dishes which came to our table and they were both exceptional too. The bruschetta also stands out. Freshness and food quality are both great.
Service 9/10
We were greeted nicely and the service was a standout. Very warm and friendly but not in your face. The waiter had a smile which you know came from him enjoying his job. The owner has a very welcoming and cheeky manner which helps everyone to enjoy their night.
Atmosphere 6/10
Unfortunately when it's a busy night and it's full downstairs it becomes very noisy, and this can take away from the experience. On the brighter side, the upstairs area is much better, so if you dine up there you may enjoy the atmosphere more. The fitout and decor is not memorable as is the food, and the menu design is cluttered and simplistic which is not a great start.
Value 7/10
Everything is appropraitely priced, with the wine perhaps slightly on the more expensive end of the scale.
Overall 8/10
This is in reality almost a 9 out of 10. If I were seated upstairs I would have given a 9. I enjoy every time I go here and it's a sure fire hit whenever we take our friends along. Mints at the end are a nice finish.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Castelmola Italian Restaurant Norton St Leichhardt
Food 8/10
In judging food at an Italian restaurant in Leichhardt, the standard has to be set very high. As such, if Castel Mola were located anywhere else, it would probably be judged even higher, but Castel Mola stands out even amongst the swarm of similar flavours in this part if the world. Every flavour is well rounded and the freshness is evident. We had the snapper, which came whole, but tasted as if it had just been delivered from the markets that day, which it should be since they are only a sniff away. The pollo al pesto is brilliant, however we wad it with penne instead, one of our friends commented they would be back just for that dish, and and another commented they would be back for the 'leichhardt' pizza, which was also great.
Service 8/10
The service is always warm, easy and welcoming. Frank is a really nice waiter with a no nonsense attitude and also a charming smile. They were willing to split the bills and helped make our night enjoyable.
Atmosphere 7/10
Castelmola has three rooms and all are nice, if not simple with basic appointment. The classic room is my favourite, with an amazing unique ceiling. The decor and setup of the sports room may not appeal to everyone.
Value 8/10
The meals are reasonably priced, especially if you share pizza.
Overall 8/10
In judging food at an Italian restaurant in Leichhardt, the standard has to be set very high. As such, if Castel Mola were located anywhere else, it would probably be judged even higher, but Castel Mola stands out even amongst the swarm of similar flavours in this part if the world. Every flavour is well rounded and the freshness is evident. We had the snapper, which came whole, but tasted as if it had just been delivered from the markets that day, which it should be since they are only a sniff away. The pollo al pesto is brilliant, however we wad it with penne instead, one of our friends commented they would be back just for that dish, and and another commented they would be back for the 'leichhardt' pizza, which was also great.
Service 8/10
The service is always warm, easy and welcoming. Frank is a really nice waiter with a no nonsense attitude and also a charming smile. They were willing to split the bills and helped make our night enjoyable.
Atmosphere 7/10
Castelmola has three rooms and all are nice, if not simple with basic appointment. The classic room is my favourite, with an amazing unique ceiling. The decor and setup of the sports room may not appeal to everyone.
Value 8/10
The meals are reasonably priced, especially if you share pizza.
Overall 8/10
This is a great restaurant and has a great location especially for those who come from the north as its up there with the best in Leichhardt with much better parking. Its still a 'happening' place even without being right in the buzz of the busy part of the strip. You can even take away or get delivery. Good wine list also.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Zenobia Lebanese restaraunt Norton St
Food 8/10
We have been to a number of Lebanese restaurants around Sydney and have always found the food tasty and different, Zenobia is no different, with great flavours and spices. We ordered the banquet as we are not familiar with all the names of the dishes. Of paricluar note were the falafel rolls, the lemon flavoured potatos, the kebab skewers and pastries. Everything was very fresh with good quality ingredients. We ate everything even though the servings were generous. Great food.
Service 7/10
Service was friendly and comfortable. Water was refreshed often and our beers were refridgerated and brought out on request. Waiters (all male) were attentive however somewhat preoccupied at times.
Atmosphere 3/10
Unfortunately this was a major let down for us. The restaurant was quite noisy to begin with, but once the belly dancer arrived the music blasted you dry and pretty sure blood started began from my ears.. It was also not nice music, being accentuated by instruments which sound like the bagpipe. We sat there hoping no one would dance so the music would turn off quicker. The poor dancer found very few admirers, and didn't do enough to change the mood created by a sound track so loud it could be heard from the space station. The decor was lacking panache.
Value 7/10
At $40 the banquet is not cheap but is generous.
Overall 7/10
Decor and audio issues aside we really enjoyed this restaurant and stayed quite a while, enjoying the traditional flavoured tobacco hubbly bubbly mmm.
We have been to a number of Lebanese restaurants around Sydney and have always found the food tasty and different, Zenobia is no different, with great flavours and spices. We ordered the banquet as we are not familiar with all the names of the dishes. Of paricluar note were the falafel rolls, the lemon flavoured potatos, the kebab skewers and pastries. Everything was very fresh with good quality ingredients. We ate everything even though the servings were generous. Great food.
Service 7/10
Service was friendly and comfortable. Water was refreshed often and our beers were refridgerated and brought out on request. Waiters (all male) were attentive however somewhat preoccupied at times.
Atmosphere 3/10
Unfortunately this was a major let down for us. The restaurant was quite noisy to begin with, but once the belly dancer arrived the music blasted you dry and pretty sure blood started began from my ears.. It was also not nice music, being accentuated by instruments which sound like the bagpipe. We sat there hoping no one would dance so the music would turn off quicker. The poor dancer found very few admirers, and didn't do enough to change the mood created by a sound track so loud it could be heard from the space station. The decor was lacking panache.
Value 7/10
At $40 the banquet is not cheap but is generous.
Overall 7/10
Decor and audio issues aside we really enjoyed this restaurant and stayed quite a while, enjoying the traditional flavoured tobacco hubbly bubbly mmm.
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