This place is the most exciting to thing to happen to my neighbourhood since the Sea Eagles made it to the finals! Don't get me wrong, I love living in Belrose but we have a couple of taverns and a Maccas and it's exciting to get some new food options.
Anyway, I tried the Wise Guy burger and it was utterly delicious. Interestingly the menu suggests this burger is a version of "Fives Guys", a famous American burger chain (and allegedly home to Barack Obama's favourite burger). I've actually eaten at Five Guys twice, and I would have to say that the burger at the Old Civic is better. Double meat patty, lots of sauce, perfect pickles and a delicious bun. It's a genuine American style burger with a dash of that current trendy designer burger vibe that is so popular lately.
The only drawback to this place, and I hope this is just a teething problem is the service. It's order at the counter which is fine, but when we went up there were like 6 employees milling around ignoring me, it was awkward and strange. Finally one of them asked another if someone had actually helped us. And so finally our orders were taken. We ordered 2 burgers. Well, mine arrived and my dining companion's didn't. Eventually we had to ask where the other burger was, and it finally showed up after 10-15 mins. This is weird, presumably two identical orders take the same amount of time to prepare? Also, the place was pretty quite given it was about 2pm on a weekday.
Then there was a rather keen waitress. I was literally chewing the last bite of my burger and reaching for a napkin when she grabbed my plate (without asking, not that I could answer since my mouth was full) then she bizarrely took the scrunched napkin from my hand. I also think it's a bit rude of them to clear plates without asking when my companion was still eating (you know, cause her burger had taken so long to even arrive). Anyway, then later on, the same waitress came back and leaned right over my companion and across the table and grabbed a menu that was lying under my arm, again without saying anything. It was really weird. I don't know if they haven't worked out staffing yet, and she was trying to look busy because it was quiet, but I didn't appreciate it.
Putting that aside, the Old Civic is an awesome addition to Forest Way. Their coffees and cakes look amazing too. read more