The people running the show at Efendy have no empathy, are untrustworthy and negligent, are utterly…read moreunprofessional, and have zero customer service and communication skills. My mother's 60th milestone birthday party was intended to take place at Efendy for friends and family. The event was booked a month in advance after my mother made an appointment to view the venue and discuss the menu for the event. A credit card was given. Three days before the event, my mother called the restaurant to confirm the details of the birthday party. She was told that due to renovations, the event could no longer take place. The fact that no one from the restaurant even bothered to call my mother as soon as they were aware of this fact is obscene negligence. No one bothered to call at all, leaving no possibility of finding an alternative venue. It is shameful and cruel to be so careless in communicating to your customer that their highly anticipated event can no longer take place: an event that was intended to bring joy and connection in the midst of a pandemic year when people have struggled with feeling isolated. Shame on you Efendy.

Great restaurant went there for a 31st birthday, started with dips which consisted of pomegranate,…read morecapsicum humus, smoked babaganus and king prawns, shredded pastry, walnut with mini pide breads. For mains we to share, deep fried mussels, zucchini, feta and walnut gozleme, hot chicken wings and sautéed scotch fillet Between 6 ppl it was quite filling! The bread is soft and so good! We kept asking for more

I LOVE this place. Been a few times before and I am never disappointed…read more Tonight my friend and I shared the buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil and basil. Fresh and tasty, and a generous serve. I ordered the fillet steak which came served with. spinach, mushrooms, speck and a creamy sauce. The steak was medium - Cooked to perfection! My friend had the lamb shoulder which also looked delicious and she loved it. Luckily neither of us had had much to eat today so we could fit dessert in. she had the chocolate sable with caramel and I had the pina colada mess which was a fresh tasting meringue with pineapple, passion fruit and tasted incredible. overall everything was delicious, huge servings and lovely wait staff. It's a small venue and the menus don't change That much. I recommend r visiting but make sure you book xx

My partner and I came across this place while looking for a spot of lunch. It was a warm day but…read morethe interior of the restaurant appeared cold... or maybe is was just the sighting of folded blankets resting over chairs which made me think that... I'm not too sure now. However any thoughts of a cold building were quickly dismissed with the warm welcoming we received from the waitress. Before long my partner and I were ordering, one Pulled Pork burger and one Double Beef burger. Our meals were served on cute wooden slabs. Our fries, encased in miniature fry baskets, were perfectly seasoned. The dipping sauces were rich and creamy and left us begging for more. To say our burgers were delicious is an understatement. The meat was succulent and full flavoured. The buns were light with just that tiny touch of sweetness you want from freshly baked food. This was one meal we didn't want to end.

Meh, For a…read moresupposedly nice steak restaurant the steak was overcooked. More of a business setting than nice family restaurant setting.

We ordered the "AGED wagyu tartare" and 650 gr of the "Butter AGED Southern Range Rib-Eye+" for 2…read morepeople. Both were delicious! The tartare tasted nice, fresh, beefy, the taste of aioli came through. The crispy chips were also really nice to complement the tartare. The steak itself was so aromatic. I could smell the truffle aroma when I was brought out. The menu said the steak was "Encased in beef dripping butter infused with Bone Marrow & Confit Garlic" - must I say more? Super moist, juicy, aromatic, tender and delicious steak. The crust was really aromatic with all that encasing. But still found a small piece of inner fat a little undercooked, tough and greasy.

I came here with my uni friend and her wife for a catch up dinner when I was back in Sydney. I'd…read morenever heard of it but they live in Chippendale and recommended it. My friend's wife and I are both vegetarian so I knew they were guaranteed to have a reasonable number of options. Note: not really anything here for vegans. My first impression of the restaurant was that it was absolutely huge - high ceilings, a lot of space between tables and very open plan. The tables were low, long wood - really chic, sturdy and comfortable. Our waitress was excellent, very professional and attentive. It was a nice surprised as I'm not used to being 'served' in restaurants the same way I am in North America. Australia doesn't have a tipping culture so often service is lacklustre depending on the individual. Definitely not the case here. After perusing the menu for a while we decided to share the truffle pizza, potatos, squash, broccolini and beet/goat cheese salad. Everything was delicious and really decent portions. My favourites were the potatos and the broccolini but everything was good. I was definitely satisfied - could barely finish and no room for dessert. It came out at around $30pp. We didn't order alcohol or dessert but got sparking water, they offer it unlimited for $5. Really good value for a such a nice dining experience. I'd be happy to visit again.

Amazing! Came here…read morewith a few foodie friends to celebrate my birthday and it was sensational! Arrived just around 6pm on a Sunday and it wasn't too busy yet. The interior for this place somewhat reminds me of New York! High ceilings with an open kitchen that extends for most of the length of the restaurant. Still or sparking water is $2 per person either way so go for the sparkling and get some fizz in your life! ;) Items we ordered form the snacks section were: -Squid ink crackers, trout roe, cucumber $8 -English breakfast tea & toast, wild mushroom tea, gentlemens relish and bone marrow toast (for two) $14 -Tongue and cheek croquettes, picallilli $15 -'Social dog' pork and fennel sausage, green apple, black pudding, cheddar, mustard $15 From the vegetables: -Kale, chilli, garlic, corella pear, bottarga $15 From the raw & cured: -Tataki hiramasa, kingfish, dill, kahlrabi, togorashi $19 - Grass fed veal tartar, egg yolk jam, radish salad with sourdough $19 From the sourdough flatbreads: -QLD blue pumpkin, oyster & portabella mushrooms, blue cheese, walnut $16 -Lartisan 'mountain man' washed rind, white onion, smoked potato, bacon thyme $16 All this was to share among four people. All dishes were small to med servings so we got to sample everything! Loved everything that was brought out to the table. The english breakfast tea for two come out on a stand which you got to pour the mushroom tea into little tea cups - very nice. Service was excellent and very attentive. We all agreed that we would indeed be back as everything was spectacular!

the place was fairly quiet and very clean. the service was great, the servers were top notch. the…read morefood and portions were very good. sat outside and was entertained by the passersby.

Really popular place. They have street seating and indoor. The only thing available when we went…read morewithout waiting was inside. Inside wasn't bad, the table was big and the chairs comfortable. We were waited on immediately. Servers fly around like dancers, it's actually pretty impressive. Our food arrived in no time. My wife had fish and chips and I had lamb and rosemary pie. She enjoyed her meal. Mine was different than I've had before. It was still ok but I wouldn't order it again. Others would probably like it, it just wasn't for me. We didn't have any dessert but as you walk in the door they have some wonderful looking pies and cakes. Do yourself a favor and save room for one of those. I messed up and didn't try something. This is actually a really cool restaurant that I would like to try again. I wouldn't let one dish that didn't hit my taste buds keep me away.

Delightful spot on Manly beach. It's very pretty inside, with ceiling to floor windows showcasing a…read morespectacular view of the ocean. I highly recommend their affogato!

Our tour guide and countless Redditors said to eat at The Pantry when in Manly. That said, it is a…read morepopular spot and with the restaurant being on the smaller end, it's best to make a reservation. We were lucky to secure a booking for 1:00P on the day of. Their menu is considered modern Australian with an Italian flair, which is an interesting fusion of cuisines. They have tapas, entrees (appetizer size), mains (larger portions) and sides, which can be shared amongst the table or paired with a main to make for a more filling meal. + GRILLED TASMANIAN OCTOPUS (A$28): The four of us shared this and it turned out to be a tantalizing appetizer! Three meaty tentacles and one flat piece were served on top of n'duja (spreadable pork sausage) with pipes of lime confit on the side. This was my first time having n'duja, which had a smoky flavor from Calabrian chilis that paired well with the grilled taste of the tender octopus. The lime brightened up the dish with citrusy notes. + SEAWEED PRAWN PILLOWS (A$22): While tasty, if I tasted these blindly, I probably wouldn't think of shrimp and seaweed being the two main ingredients. The shrimp and seaweed were finely minced and made into a batter which was then fried into a fritter. They were crispy and light with a soft mochi-like texture inside. Salt on the plate enhanced the flavor even more. + SNAPPER FILLET (A$44): The snapper was delicate, moist and had a wonderfully seared skin. It came topped with a few zucchini blossoms, but that was the extent of the dish, so I'd recommend ordering a side with this. It was placed on a pool of creamy white sauce (which may have incorporated Jerusalem artichoke as noted on the menu) and dollops of black garlic sauce came on top. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the black garlic which had a very earthy flavor that I found too strong and off-putting for the mild fish. The four of us shared a side of BROCCOLINI (A$14) which was a great pairing with all of our mains. It tasted super fresh since the stems still had a nice snap to them. They were simply tossed with extra virgin olive oil, sliced almonds and chili for a hint of heat. My dad enjoyed their spatchcocked chicken and my sister was happy with her sirloin steak. The steak was cooked more than the medium that she requested, but it was still delicious and had a zesty salsa verde. Overall, we had a lovely lunch here. Our meals were wholesome and I could tell that everything was fresh and of pristine quality. This restaurant is right on the beach, so we enjoyed a direct view of the water, giving this spot a beachy vibe with casual elegance.

Our meal here greatly exceeded my expectations. In fact, the five-course tasting menu was superior…read moreto the tasting menu we had the previous night at the famous Quay restaurant around the bend. Each dish was comprised of a perfect melding of ingredients and flavors, with the John Dory and the perfectly cooked lamb being particular standouts. The dessert--which was really three desserts on one plate-- was also outstanding. The wine list is a bit limited, but there are some gems such as Tyrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay. The only failing was the service, which although attentive missed a lot that you'd expect in this caliber of restaurant. Empty plates stayed on the table too long, and I think we must have requested our wine to be repoured at least a half dozen times. I wish restaurants would just leave the bottle at the table in the European style, as it would be better for both guest and server. Nevertheless, it was a fabulous dining experience, and perhaps my favorite restaurant experience other than Tetsuya in all of Sydney, so they are definitely knocking it out of the park here. Great restaurant.

Exceptional is how I would describe the Gantry in one word…read more In particular, the service was outstanding. The Gantry is located in the Pier One hotel. The 5 star hotel delivered top knotch 5 star service at the Gantry and throughout the hotel (I find that some 5 star / hatted restaurants do not quite deliver on the service front - but not with the Gantry!). After taking a leisurely stroll along the harbour on Walsh Bay, my dining partner and I arrived at the steps of the Pier One hotel for lunch. They say first impressions count, and I was wowed. We were greeted with friendly, genuine smiles upon arriving at the steps to the hotel, from the bell boys outside, door staff, conceirge and reception. The reception staff guided us to the restaurant. The hotel and restaurant are new, shieke, and have a vibe of understated luxury. The bathrooms even had a couch and a framed, wide floor to ceiling mirror! The restaurant staff were just as friendly, and extremely attentive and polite. We were sat right next to the harbour on a table on the outside section of the restaurant (on the wharf) straight away. Our waitress was lovely. No request was too much - from asking for a cocktail list when the bar was not open, to requesting the sun-shade to be raised up so that we could get a better view of the harbour. The food and drinks were outstanding - especially the mains! We had: - Salmon gravlax and grapefruit entree - extremely fresh, clean taste. I'm salivating thinking about this dish. The novelty of the dish was that the grapefruit was the same colour as the salmon so you wouldn't know if you had a piece of fish or grapefruit until you eat it or inspect it closely. - Scallops (one with coconut and lemongrass, one with ginger and soy sauce) - average. - Grilled garlic butter prawns - average. - Fish and chips main - the BEST fish and chips I've ever had, hands down. My dining partner had the same thought. The fish was very fresh, perfectly cooked, the batter was crispy and airy at the same time. The chips were fat, a little bit like potato wedges, and were seasoned just the right amount. The crisp on the chip was just right. I'd given up all hopes in finding fish and chips I actually like - and to my surprise, I found it when I wasn't looking for it! People say that certain beachside kiosks / cafes have the best fish and chips and I've been disappointed every time. Now this truly is the best fish and chips I've ever had!!! - Duck breast steak main - juicy, tender duck, and the vegetables, seasoning and sauce made the dish taste delicious. - Sourdough bread with butter - good, but not amazing. Unfortunately, we didn't leave enough room for dessert. Prices are very reasonable considering the location, service, quality of food and ambience. We were so impressed by the Gantry that my dining partner promised a return trip on the spot! This is definitely somewhere I could go again and again.

One of my favourite parts of town I've explored in Sydney is Newtown, a colourful area decorated by…read morestreet art and proliferated by dozens of drool-inducing restaurants with lots of patio space for enjoying amazing Sydney weather. I recently stumbled upon Urban Bites, a friendly restaurant with a neighbourhood feel that has attentive staff and a menu serving tasty eats in generous portions. The spot serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and coffee, with a full alcohol bar. The dessert case is absolutely amazing, featuring everything from cakes and tarts, to pastries. Definitely save room for a tasty treat. I was there for dinner and opted for a delicious grilled haloumi burger with rocket and olive tapenade on Turkish toast ($17.90 AUD). It was served with thickly cut chips and was so huge, I had to take half of it home. The bread was perfectly crispy, there was a ton of haloumi, and the veggies were plentiful. The fish and chips burger with sweet potato fries was equally massive. Though all the cheesecake and tiramisu made my mouth water, I gave something I've never tried a taste, pavlova. I had no idea the dessert was born in the Australia/New Zealand region, which is awesome, but it just looked so gosh darned pretty, I felt it would be a dream to eat. It's a meringue-based cake that was topped with cream. I'm not the hugest meringue fan, but it was sweet and light, and the cream was amazing. I'm sure it was a great version of the dessert, and its elegance evokes the beauty of the Russian ballerina the dessert was named after. From start to finish, the meal at Urban Bites was fantastic. I loved that my meal was enough to take half of it home, the servers were courteous, and the whole atmosphere is fun and laid-back.

We've dined at Urban Bites for breakfast (mostly), lunch and dinner for many years. Since…read moresimplifying their menu and employing a chef, their food is back to being simple, healthy and delicious. They've also made headways into renovating the venue; inside is done and the outdoor dining area will get a makeover soon enough. We normally eat only at venues that accept the Entertainment Book coupons, but we're happy to pay full price at Urban Bites (although they also accept the aforementioned coupon). Tip: go early on Saturday and Sunday mornings and stay under an hour to get free parking directly outside on the street.