Disappointing :(

We drove past the shopping centre the other day and noticed the sushi place. I was excited to be able to try a sushi train experience, since I've heard about them but never seen one. So I thought it would make a nice treat for my friend and I to bring our girls for a sushi train lunch.

We get there and sit down. No instructions about how things work.... empty train going around the track. Eventually we go to the front counter to ask what happens, and we were told that we order from the menu. Ok :( so what about the train? They only do the sushi train on Tuesdays, every other day they just serve your food on the train. Hmm, not the fun experience I was hoping for.

So we order hand rolls for the kids and bento boxes for us. The hand rolls are served almost straight away - the kids are mildly amused that their plates were delivered by train. But when it's only your food on an otherwise empty train, it loses some of the appeal really.... We were the only ones there at that point, but were wondering how that would work when there are lots of people there? - we could work out whose plates were whose because we knew we were the only ones there, but if more people were there - how would you know?

Our soup arrived (not by train - maybe hot soup is a hazard?). Then a long time after the kids had finished their sushi rolls and were just sitting there bored, our bento boxes finally arrived. Also delivered by train, which was nice. It's a pity the food was served like that - with us having to sit there watching them eat, and them sitting there watching us eat. I'd have preferred if we were given the option to have their food served with ours.

The food was good, not fantastic, but certainly filling and nice. I'm sure I saw the chef snap apart some frozen pieces (I'm assuming it was the tempura "vegetables" (which was just 3 pieces of sweet potato)) - so they aren't exactly cooked fresh as claimed.

The cleanliness of the place is a rather questionable too. The little bowls for the soy sauce had crumbs in them (all 3 I looked at did), the train sections had food crumbs and bits on them, and there was dust everywhere! The top of the counter part the train ran along was very dusty, there was a potted artificial plant thick with dust (and the train travels under a portion of that - ick), the curtains hanging above the opening to the kitchen were thick with dust..... It didn't give a very good impression.

Just before we left more people came in to eat, and our question of "how would you know which is your food" was answered - you don't.... The plates on the train went around twice, with everyone sitting there looking at them... before someone called out to say whose plates they were. Doesn't seem to be a very efficient way to organise things.

So all in all, it was a pretty disappointing dining experience. I guess that's partly my fault, for assuming that they would be serving sushi from the train every day. If I wanted to buy sushi from a counter - I'd go somewhere else (like "Sushi Sushi", whose sushi is much nicer). However the dirtyness of the place, the time it took for our meal to be served as well as the fact the food wasn't able to be selected from the train, made the whole thing really disappointing.

I don't expect I'll go back again.

I buy a *LOT* of fabric, so I have used this store a lot over the years. Unfortunately they have changed the way they deal with customer service now, and it is so terrible that I will drive a lot further away to go to other Spotlight stores so that I don't have to go to this one.

It used to be that you could get your fabric, take it to the cutting counter, have it cut, pay there and leave the store. So while there was often a long wait to be served at the cutting counter (and as others have said - often the staff would be chatting to each other rather than serving), if you managed your time well, you could grab a number while you were still looking around, so that when you were finished browsing, you only had a small wait for your number to be called.

While the chatty staff can be annoying when it causes longer wait times, I do though appreciate their chattyness when they are serving you. Several of the ladies there would greet me each time I was there.

Now, with the new redesigned store, they don't allow you to pay for your purchases at the cutting counter. You still have to queue to be served, but instead of taking the few extra moments to pay there - they print out barcode stickers for each piece of fabric you buy, and you then have to go to the normal registers to line up there again and pay for your fabric.

They claim this system is faster, but I have timed it and it is not. Especially not when you are buying several pieces of fabric. And as I say, before you could manage your time so that you weren't waiting as long. Now you have to spend time in 2 queues, which is just annoying. I'm sure they are doing it this way to try to force people to use the self service registers, so they can reduce the number of employees they have to have (I refuse to use self service registers, a it puts people out of jobs)

I went there recently to buy a new bulb for my sewing machine, but they have moved the sewing machine centre now too. Before it was in it's own little space outside the store, with a staff member there that you could ask questions to. Now is it in a section of the store, with no staff members around. I couldn't find the bulb for my brand of machine, and with nobody around to ask, I left - unhappy.

I'm also not sure what pet supplies are doing at a Spotlight store? The new design just feels like a big warehouse of random things. They seem to have reduced the size of their fabric section too. So a store that I always knew to be predominantly a fabric store, has reduced the amount of fabric it stocks, made fabric buying more complicated and time consuming, and now sells pet supplies? I just don't understand...

I find the Springvale store has a much larger selection of fabric (doesn't have the annoying double queue system, and no weird pet things) so that is where I shop now.

If you want (cotton) fabric in Bayswater, there is a great little Quilter's shop just down the road ("Patchwork with Gail" - in the Tile shop). It's a bit more pricey, but a far better selection than Spotlight has.

Unfortunately we were expecting it would be bigger, so we didn't book and had arranged for 7 of us to meet up there for brunch. There is only a little seating inside (bar stools along the front window), and the only seating was outside, and we had to rearrange almost all the furniture to try and seat us all. So it's not an ideal place for meeting up with a large group of friends.... However the food looked (and was) fantastic!

I had one of the mushroom risotto balls, and it was divine! The staff were friendly and we didn't have to wait too long. It was a very enjoyable meal and I'd definitely stop off there again!

YUM!

We came here for lunch one day, and I was really impressed. I couldn't decide on the pizza or risotto, so in the end I chose pizza. Then when the others on the table started to be served, I really kicked myself because the risotto looked and smelled amazing. But then my pizza arrived and it was amazing too! So full of flavour, so delicious. I think I chose well (best pizza I've ever had!), but next time I'm trying that risotto!

The prices seemed to be reasonable for the area it is in. I like the funky modern look of the restaurant. The large tables and background noise make it a little difficult to chat to everyone, but that's common in lots of places.

Overall I was very impressed and will definitely dine here again!

I'd been wanting to go to Kryal Castle for many years, since I have a love of Medieval things. But I had been told it was terrible and not to bother. About 4 years ago (under the old owners) we were driving past on our way back from a weekend at Dalesford, and decided to go to have a look. Because I'd been told it wasn't very good, I wasn't expecting much - and (because my expectations were low) I had a good time. A lot of it was badly run down and quite "cheesy", but overall, I thought it was ok.

But then we had the opportunity to go back again recently, and having heard that new people had bought it and had been working on updating it - I was optimistic that it would be better than last time. It was!

The new owners have done a great job to fix things up and give it a much more Medieval feel. They have taken some of the existing displays (like the weapons and torture devices) and placed them in different areas to give them better context - so it looks a lot better, and had a more Medieval feel to the whole place. There are now also a few little shops to visit, and it seems like there is more to see and do.

My favorite part would have to be the jousting! They had it both times we went and it's really great to be able to see something like that - I don't know where else you'd be able to. The horses are magnificent!

They have a Dragon Cave thing as you enter (just before the photo area) - which isn't very well signposted. We only knew it was there because one of the staff directed us to it as we walked in, but a couple of times when we had gone back to the car and come back in again, there was nobody there, so anyone entering there wouldn't have known about it. So make sure you do that part - It's not fantastic (a little boring at times), but it's an extra experience, and I think it's worth doing.

We visited on the weekend of the "Timeline Festival" - where different period re-enactment groups were at the castle doing demonstrations, which added to the entertainment - especially with all the people dressed up walking around. So if you can time your visit to coincide with one of those "Timeline" events, it's even better value for money. We were told that there were shows and entertainment that wasn't on the weekend we went, so I am not sure how much there is to do normally. The first time we went there was a magic show, which wasn't on the second time, but there was still the theater for it - so I assume it's still normally happening.

They have a room set up for kids activities (like free colouring in, face painting and craft activities). My daughter took part in a potion making workshop that you had to pay extra for it ($4 I think), which didn't seem to be advertised at all (the facepainting guy mentioned it when she was sad that they didn't have the materials to do the wand making workshop), which I think is fun for little kids. They got to take home some slime stuff they made, and they also made a potion to drink and a potion to watch fizz. I think they also did a calligraphy workshop too, since I could see feather quills and certificates for people to sign in that same room - that likewise wasn't advertised though, which was a shame.

The staff were all lovely, and dressed up to look medieval. The overall atmosphere was great!

We stayed the night in the hotel part, which has also been revamped with the new owners. I recall peeking in the window last time we were there and seeing 4 poster beds, but the new owners seem to have removed them and just put normal beds in, which is a shame (or maybe only some rooms have them?) The furnishings of the rooms were plush and gave the room a qood quality feel. Huge tapestry over the bed, King size bed, even fake fur looking pillows and throw rug :) With heating and electric blankets we were toasty warm all night. There was a microwave, kettle and fridge in the room, all tucked away in a cabinet so it didn't spoil the look of the room. The only complaint I have was that instead of a beadspread or doona cover, they had a plain white sheet over the doona. Which I just think spoiled it - I don't think the white worked for a medieval theme, and it being a sheet rather than a doona cover just seemed very cheap. But anyway. The bed was comfy and we had a great night there. It was a shame to have to leave!

All in all, I think the new owners have done a great job. They are still working on the place, so it's likely to be even better as time goes on too. Definitely worth going to!

Fantastic fabric store - I love that most of the fabrics are arranged by colour or theme - makes finding what you're after easier. Great range of fabrics.

Prices are higher than what you'd get at Spotlight (which is just down the road), but that's what you get when you compare a large chain store with a smaller specialty fabric store... so is to be expected (and in line with prices you find at other quilting shops)

Overall I love this store for buying special prints you're unable to get through Spotlight or Lincraft.

The decor is lovely and the staff were friendly, efficient and attentive.

We ordered the banquet and it was fantastic! Almost immediately we were served the bread, salad and dips. Then it seemed we were just getting into that when the next part came out, and so on. We were certainly never wanting for food - with new dishes being brought out before we'd finished the previous one.

The food was really lovely, with great flavours and seemed good quality. We left feeling nice and full, while leaving a little food uneaten - so it was certainly good value.

We went on a Friday night, and the restaurant was less than half full, so I'm not sure how it is in busy times, but while we were probably the loudest table, chatting and laughing, you were easily able to hear each other talking, with no noisy background like you have in some other restaurants.

The only downside was that we had to be spread out over 2 tables, which made it difficult for us all to talk to each other, so we felt divided - but I suppose there isn't much that can be done with round tables like that.

I will definitely be going back!!

Approximate cost: $35

I was looking around for a place for a few friends to go out and have brunch together, and this was the place I decided on - and I was quite impressed.

The prices seemed to be level with other cafes I'd been looking at.

Our waitress was lovely, always making sure our water glasses were topped up and very friendly.

I'd ordered the plain eggs and added a serve of bacon, and I was impressed at the generosity of the serve of bacon. Everything was cooked perfectly.

Speaking of bacon, one of our group mentioned (to us) when ordering that she'd not eaten bacon for a while as she'd been on a diet, but she'd lost weight and was going to have bacon - when the waitress brought our meals out, she commented on "the well deserved bacon" - so I thought it was nice that she'd remembered and wasn't just running on autopilot like you often find wait staff to be.

The other thing I liked was the ability to split the bill - I feel that is very important when going out with a group of friends because it makes it much easier to pay.

The only downside was I'd not noticed it was only 1 hour parking in the carpark outside the cafe, and the parking inspectors are quick to fine you for parking overtime - so that was a bit of a downer to our lovely morning. It's a shame because if you're having a great time out with friends, you're probably going to be there for more than an hour.

So the place was great and if I can find parking nearby for longer, I'll definitely be going back again!

The quality of food here seems to be good. I've only tried their charcoal chicken, schnitzel and chips though. But they have always been good. Their salads look fresh and tasty. They also stock some different soft drinks (like Cherry cola and root beer).

They use polystyrene boxes for their packs, which I don't like - not only is it less eco-friendly, but it also makes the chips soggy by the time you take them home. Especially if they have put gravy all over them. I find that food in cardboard boxes tastes better.

The serving sizes can be very inconsistent. Luck would have it that if I'm ordering a schnitzel and chips for myself, they fill the box with chips and it's far too much for me to eat alone, but if I get one intending to share with someone, that'll be the day when they put half the amount of chips in it.

Also you need to be careful with overcharging or not listening to your order properly.... last time I went there not only was I overcharged by $1 on the pack I got (which I didn't realise until I was adding it up in my head on the way out), but I also asked for the gravy in a separate container - not poured onto the chips.... and they poured it on the chips and gave me a separate container as well. Charging me the 70c for having gravy on the chips and $2 for the separate container of gravy. I tried arguing the point, since I'd asked them not the put the gravy on the chips, so I shouldn't have been charged the extra $2 (normally they will put it in the separate container and just charge the 70c gravy charge), but the woman didn't care :( and I didn't feel like making a scene and arguing the point further. So that day I was overcharged $3 and had soggy chips - not happy!

I don't often shop here as it's not close... but I do love it. Because it's not somewhere I'd do a weekly shop, I tend to buy as much as I know I can freeze. They have a lot of bulk meat which can work out cheaper too.

I find the prices to be quite good on most things, but I find the quality is often better than you get from the supermarket. They have preservative-free mince, which you can buy by the kilo or prepackaged, which is handy. They also have a few other grocery items and smallgoods.

A much bigger selection of meat than you'd find in a supermarket or regular butcher, and I find the store doesn't have that "meaty" smell that butchers have.

I wasn't impressed with their pepper steak (bland), but that's the only thing I've been disappointed in so far.