.....how about we end the year with our own nominations of our own individual hospitality experiences in Hobart throughout 2007, which are, for you, either the best or worst for the year?
If The Merc can have their own listings of the Best of .... or the Biggest News Makers in Tassie, we can too!
I'll start the ball rolling with my own:
best all round eating-out experience (includes the food, the service, the way I felt when I left the restaurant) - Rita's winner is Divinge.
worst (includes the above as described for the best) - Rita's winner is Queens Head.
I'd love to hear your nominations ........
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
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21 comments:
My worst is Catch, Rita.
Sorry it's a negative but...
My missus and friends went there for an Xmas get-together.
It was friendly but the portions were ``tiny'' and not cheap either.
My missus had a fettucine with seafood and it was entre size for her.
The waitress kept asking the tables if they wanted this extra, that extra, etc. Wife reckons she'd been well-primed by management to upsell.
Considering the portion sizes, they should have ordered sides. But all agreed they were so miffed by the mean portions they wouldn't play the game.
Waitress also bothered them all the time over drinks and none were big drinkers (two glasses each).
My better half even ordered a pudding because she was starving after her main course and she never eats dessert.
Two of the others said they'd be having a feed when they got home, they were that hungry.
Then the waitress kept asking if they wanted the bill...in other words, we're hoping to turnover your table and can you please piss off.
All assembled sighed for the days when the place was Rockerfellers...they at least let you settle a while and fed you decent portions.
The waitress was so persistent they all decided NOT to leave a tip. First time ever.....
So Catch, feed the people and let them be!
Did you have an outstanding time/meal somewhere this year Sir G?
I had a nice time at Fleurtys, Rita. Lunch ages ago on a sunny day.
It was quite busy and we got a warm welcome (we hadn't booked).
I had a sausage roll thingy, which doesn't sound exotic but was good with its trimmings. There was also starters of mushroom things and a pesto/bread one for the missus.
I think she had fish and salad, (it was a while back) and we finished with a cake (me) and lots of tea.
It was just so relaxing it sticks in my mind. Apart from that, the rest have been mediocre or bad. Sout Hobart's Flathead was good but not great. Lotus Eaters was a disappointment. So Fleurtys for me.
Best meal??
Today at Montys Orphans Christmas Lunch. Happy friendly staff, amazing food, great relaxed atmosphere.
Worst meal?
Not sure...probabaly the dinner we had on Bruny last month would come close.
That's great Sir G - I'm interested in the outstanding experiences, so the fact that Fleurtys stands out in your memory is a sure fire testimony to their food, service or whatever they possess which you connected with, and loved.
It's a shame the rest of your years eating out experiences were so unforgettable.
Zelda - can you name the Bruny place?
Rita I would if I could REMEMBER the name of it! It was in Adventure Bay, next to the store - Penguin Cafe maybe?
I'm a great believer in you get what you pay for. So anyone charging at the high end had better be good. With that in mind I have to say that Wrest point get my vote for worst. The revolving restaurant coming bottom close followed by the Pier and the buffet outdoing them both. I must say though that the service from I think Simon was excellent and his Garralon cooked crepe outcooked the kitchens efforts.
Best this year, Pecora, Fleurtys, Juiced, Terrace, Mud, Boathouse, craypot (K.I.)
Thanks Zelda. But I think the Penguin Cafe is the one at Kettering at the ferry terminal, isn't it? I'm pretty hazy on Bruny eating out facilities.
How interesting, Cartouche. I must admit to not having eaten at ANY Wrest Point eateries for ages, so your opinion is telling for WP. High praise indeed for said Simon - and very funny to think that the waitperson cooking at the table produced better food than the kitchen (in your opinion)!
You sure had some great meals out though, to judge by the number of 'bests' you provided.
After much thought on this subject I have to say I agree with Cartouche.You do get what you pay for most of the time. My best meal this year would have to have been at The Henry Jones, as it should be. The service wasn't anything to write home about, but one particular waitress stood out as being friendly and approachable. Sorry I can't remember her name.
On places that I visit regularly I have to say Amigos staff are absolutely wonderful. The meals are great if Mexican is what you crave, I'm quite partial to the odd margarita, but the friendliness of Dale and his staff just can't be beaten and its this thats keeps me going back.
Another standout for us is D'Angelos. Always greeted at the door, the best pizza in town, and an always smiling Angelo making sure all is as it should be.
The worst for this year is by far the Club Hotel. The only meal I've ever sent back to a kitchen in my life! Then I had to explain to three different people why I was unhappy with my meal. Never, ever, again.
I am looking forward to trying many new places in the New Year, but must say after seeing my picture on Rita's post, I may well be commenting on the various lettuce leaves and salad varieties.
Oh well, 'tis the Season.
My best was Cornelian Bay Boathouse in October and first visit to Prince of Wales early in year, and Flathead, close runners up. Worst was a very indifferent meal at T42, and Smolt!
Happy New Year to all!!
Anon2
I must say I got many a good feed at Dom's Asian Teahouse at Blackman's Bay and The Beach, just down the road, was consistently enjoyable.
My missus loves D'Angelos but goes with her pals, I haven't been yet.
Been meaning to check out Juiced and hope to soon...have heard good things.
I even tried Gloria Jeans but it's a coffee stop and being a tea drinker...not my cup of tea. The tea option was a cheap teabag. I know it's a coffee spot, but if a place aims for beverage quality it surely can extend that to tea.
The BLT was good though.
Christina - you look great! Don't go ordering lettuce leaves etc.
Amigos - that's one I haven't been to for a few years. Must get there, cos I love Mexican too. De Angelos - agreed. Always good. Haven't eaten in for a year, but have had t/a pizza reasonably often, and love 'em.
Club Hotel - thanks for the warning!
Anon2 - Cornelian Bay Boathouse - agreed, also PoW, and Flathead.
Smolt - well you know my opinion there. T42 - interesting. I've had such crap nights /days ther, but also some great meals. It seems to be a place that can blow hot or cold.
Generally I'd steer away from it for that very reason - I prefer to be able to comfortably predict I'm going to have a great time, rather than take it as I find it on the night!
Sir G - yeah - Doms's reigns supreme! The Beach also good.
Just where is this Juiced? Is it at eastlands? Is it the one Mary's sister has?
Gloria Jeans - ?? Wot the??
Juiced, at least I think it's the one mentioned by cartouche, is at Kingston. Gloria Jeans down at Channel (Chanel) Court. It's a good drive destination down there but the food offerings GENERALLY are very average.
Might be Rita...I know where it was, just cant think of the name. It was the cafe next to the shop at Adventure Bay - essentially the bottom level of a house.
Never mind Zelda. What was so shit about it anyway?
I also forgot another favourite which I haven't reviewed but which I love when I just want cheap and cheerful - Thai Gardens.
Great food, always consistent, easy to park, off the main Nth Hobt drag, great service from crazy Jasmine - in short - a great little eat-in or takeaway for Thai food.
Sorry Rita, I should be fair, Wrest Point was almost a year back in January, but in fairness they were pretty shit for the prices they were charging and consistently poor three times over. Look $50 for a steak a mere sirloin at that, by comparison, give me the eye fillet at ball and chain. Again in fairness I am sure they are addressing the problem.
Terrace and Mud were great, as was Lebrina and Freycinet lodge. I have not been to Smolt but I am keeping an open mind. I am partial to a damned fine breakfast, and it is something that we chefs used to cook and critique amongst ourselves in the kitchen. So for that reason I am looking forward to a fine breakfast on yours and Gobblers review at farm gate.
Juiced by the way is on the Kingston Beach front. Nice view, but small, but recommended.
And Sir grumpy, Doms I went to last March with relatives who live in Kingston, me liked it plenty and I would and will go again for certain (Wrest point take note). Good food is good food.
Theres loads more, but we could be here all night, I try to eat out at least once a week, or take my staff out for trips to other eateries.
On the cheap and cheerful route - have to say Tasceylon in Augusta Road. Not the takeaway or even the menu. Found out the cook was a vegetarian (though she cooks meat and fish) so just asked her to give us what she likes eating. Never knew silver beet/chard could be so spectacular. Despite the fish and chip shop and lack of decor, it is friendly and well cooked.
The total opposite was Anatolia. Booked in for 7.30 Friday night. One person was caught in a traffic jam on the Midlands Highway so we rang the restaurant and told them the problem - one person would be late. We arrived at 7.25, reminded the waiter that one person probably would not be there till after 8.30. That wasn't a problem as we had finished two courses, paid and left by 8.10. Entree arrived about 2 minutes after we ordered and main courses about 5 minutes after that!! When we explained that we had nowhere near finished our entrees, the waiter shrugged and balanced the plates on the edges of the table!!
I suppose we could have made a point but we didn't really want to stay any longer.
Kzee
It's great to have the cheap and cheerful options up your sleeve.
This post is proving extremely interesting for eliciting the fabulous and the crap places round Hobart.
Thanks Kzee for the tasceylon tip. I've seen it often but never ventured in the door - I will now.
Anatolias - that's slack, and looks like they simply couldn't give the proverbial rats about your dining out experience.
Cartouche - thanks for elaborating. I really hope you enjoy Farm Gate as much as Gobbler and I did. I sent my Mum & Dad down there too. They went last week, and have come back raving about the place as well. My sister and husband arrived from Sydney last night to stay in the family home at Cradoc - and guess where they too will be dining?
Juiced is also a 'must do' for me. Thanks.
It's great to have the cheap and cheerful options up your sleeve.
This post is proving extremely interesting for eliciting the fabulous and the crap places round Hobart.
Thanks Kzee for the tasceylon tip. I've seen it often but never ventured in the door - I will now.
Anatolias - that's slack, and looks like they simply couldn't give the proverbial rats about your dining out experience.
Cartouche - thanks for elaborating. I really hope you enjoy Farm Gate as much as Gobbler and I did. I sent my Mum & Dad down there too. They went last week, and have come back raving about the place as well. My sister and husband arrived from Sydney last night to stay in the family home at Cradoc - and guess where they too will be dining?
Juiced is also a 'must do' for me. Thanks.
Rita - lets just say there were 3 mains and 3 desserts. All of which were of the prepare earlier and reheat variety. I had goulash which was more like a watery stew and VERY gluggy rice. Stephen had something which escapes my memory but it was also VERY uninspiring.
The deserts were ok, but we had to come back to the room where we were staying and eat cheese to oblierate the memory.
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