Amazing service. Probably top 5 for service in Sydney for me. Great wines. Delicious food. Intimate atmosphere.I Vinery Foods would have been 5 stars from me, but... (See my rant at the end).
The kind of service I'm talking about is the attention to detail like refilling water without asking, remembering that my partner had said no thank you when the server went to refill our wine, and remembered to ask on the next round (my partner was driving, so missed out!). My napkin fell on the floor, and the server not only picked it up, but took it from me and brought a new one. Its the little things like that.
We started with the assorted meats (Terrine, Pate, etc.). We shared an iceberg lettuce salad, and shared two mains (Beef Cheeks (so delicious) and an AMAZING Gnocchi). We were at a fine dining establishment in the city last weekend, where everything was 50-100% more and hands down, the food here was better!
We ordered an 05 Cab Sauv, but were talked into a 2012. We were given a taste of both, so glad we went with the recommendation.
We were too full for dessert, despite my pleading with my partner (PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE?)
Now, the reason for 4 stars. This is one of my pet peeve's..... A 3% surcharge for Amex. The only reason we went here, was they were listed on the Amex Small Business promotion, and we do like to give our business to the smaller guys. But, to then charge us a $5.00 charge on our $166 meal, kind of pissed me off. Not enough to ruin the meal, but enough to not go back too soon. I think you have two choices, don't take Amex, or don't charge a surcharge. But in my opinion, if you want to attract clientele that use cards (if it doesn't earn miles, we don't buy it) :), then bank charges are a cost of doing business. It's like charging to use the toilet, or to have light.
Would you tolerate: Oh, you want that candle lit, well, since it's an Ikea one, we will only charge you 50 cents, add it to your bill? or... Here you are sir. Your food total was $59, your beverages totalled $75. So that comes to $134. I'll just quickly add your $3 cutlery surcharge, $2 for using the toilet, 20 cents for an extra napkin, you chose the rustic option so no linen surcharge, you held the door open for you partner for 30 seconds, that let some heat out, lets say $4.00, and you occupied about 15 minutes of our staff's time @ $20/hour thats $5, and the candle lit romance package for 50 cents. Your total is 148.70. Amex? Of course, thats another 3%.
Bottom line, beautiful food. Food that I could only dream of cooking myself! Perfect service. Superb wines..... And a 3% surcharge = 4 Stars. read more