The first thing you will notice when entering this cafe is a warm welcomed smile from staff - in particular a male who is either the owner, manager, barista or all of the above.

When my partner and I arrived, the staff were a little busy but the relaxed casual atmosphere provided enough serenity for us to wait patiently. "Hello, how are you. Here are your menu's", smiling and not looking rushed what so ever while pouring us both a glass of water.

I started with a flat white which uses my favorite coffee "di stefano". The taste is bold but smooth enough to drink without sugar and is made to near perfection. My partner had an orange juice - it was chilled and fresh which is how it should be served.

My partner wanted to try a croissant but it looked like everyone else in the cafe beat her to them. We did arrive late so it came as no surprise when we were told they had sold out. Her back up plan was "thick white toast with strawberry jam". It would be very embarrassing for a chef to 'mess up' jam on toast but in this case she managed make a plain dish look quite presentable and appetizing.

I ordered ' poached eggs on toast' but added extra tomato. The bread was some kind of ciabatta loaf which was a nice change to the usual white loaf. My eggs were cooked to perfection and tomato was garnished with basil pesto. I am a huge fan of basil so it was a very nice surprise when my dish came out.

I then ordered another coffee - this time a cappuccino. Once again very nice, not too much chocolate just how I like it.

The breakfast menu had a large range of items and seemed as though it catered for everyone. The prices I found, seemed to be cheaper than most other cafes.

I will have to come back here to try their dinner menu, I just hope it is as consistent and pleasing as breakfast was.

Recommended as a nice place to relax and catch up with friends especially if you like sitting in an open outdoor covered area.

Over and Out - alexscott

Approximate cost: $3.90- $15.90

I have been here twice in the past few months - both times I have been pleased. As soon as you walk in you feel welcomed and are surrounded by happy, upbeat, pretty waitstaff.

My partner and I started with a bruschetta - better than most restaurants I have been too although I do prefer a more rustic bruschetta.

The mains consisted of a tortellini boscaiola - it was only last week I had wrote a review that I had found one of the best tortellini boscaiola dishes - Savana's was very close to taking first place. My partner then went off menu and had a chicken risotto with no mushrooms - once again better than most.

My only criticism - the meals were very very large and the chicken risotto had no mention of cream yet still had some in in it. This in no way hindered our experience to some this may by a compliment .

I will be back and will recommend.

Approximate cost: $12.90-$27

I love exploring cafes, I love tasting coffee and I love comparing each one I go to.

I walked past this cafe and decided to enter, as I sat down I was a little hesitant as I could not see many specials - I mention this because most of the other cafes around had signs and menu's promoting the specials -That's OK, I thought, Ill splash out a bit more than planned and see how things go!

I started with a strong flat white - very nice taste, strong but not too bitter. My partner had a refreshing orange & mango sparkling water - presented in a tall retro milk shake glass, it looked nice. I'm not a fan of other cafes that hand you the bottle and straw bent into the lid - it looks tacky.

I then ordered a works burger with chips for about $17.90. I was surprised when it arrived as it was huge. Everything tasted fresh, it was hot when it arrived and it was probably one of the best burgers I have tasted. I must say it isn't your typical works burger but the ingredients work and blend nicely.

My partner had a bruschetta - once again a little different than your regular one but still quite nice - I would have preferred the bruschetta mix being made to order. It was quite obvious this mix was a little old, BUT it was still tasty.

The service is pretty relaxed and friendly, the atmosphere of the cafe is peaceful - mostly outside seating but you can still have a conversation or read a book in peace.

Overall this is a nice little cafe, the menu is large and diverse. Prices vary but are higher than other cafes - but in this case, quality, value and service is delivered perfectly so it is worth every cent.

Approximate cost: $9.90- $24.00

I have been to Pancakes on the rocks many times - both in Northmead and the city. I love going here because it is reasonably cheap, the food is tasty and the pancakes always taste delicious.

The last time I went was at the above establishment - Northmead. I have never been so unpleased, disgusted and unhappy at a chain like this one.

My partner and I ordered a few dishes one being a chicken and bacon pizza. The pizza was out on our table within ten minutes of ordering it. I was a tad confused - the restaurant was busy, it had came too quick and I thought they had made a mistake. Anyhow, the pizza was probably the worst pizza I have ever seen let alone tasted. It was missing one of the main ingredients -bacon. The pizza was covered in cheese and was only partially melted- I mean there was more cheese than pizza base. The pizza looked as though it had been cooked in a microwave - it was soggy and the base was wet.

I approached the waitress and she apologized. I stood there a few moments waiting for her to take the pizza away for the chef to inspect it. She just said sorry and walked off. When I went to pay I asked to speak to the chef - I wanted to award him the medal of cooking the worlds worst pizza - he/she was busy.

I received no compensation except an embarrassed waitress saying sorry.

I will return here because every other time was near perfect (4/5). I will however never order a pizza here again.

Approximate cost: $4.90-$21.90

The Blue Star Cafe reminds me of a small diner within a truck stop. The menu is very very simple and looks like any cook would have no problem what so ever making each meal. The upside to this is consistency and the downside can sometimes be boring and unsatisfying.

Please do not take this as a complaint or bad review.

The food is satisfactory although no wow factor except the generous portions. The service is as expected - I have never found staff to be rude but the few times I have been here I have never experienced an excited, talkative, happy chappy waitress. The prices are reasonable, there are regular specials available and the coffee is ok.

My main reason for returning to this cafe is it provides a good atmosphere to relax and talk, most meals are generous portions and it is right next door to the cinemas.

If your a cafe connoisseur who enjoys fresh produce, delightful ingredient combinations and exciting dishes steer clear of this cafe. But I do recommended for a quick, filling, cheap, catch up lunch.

Approximate cost: $9.90-$19.90

This Indian restaurant is fairly new to the area, only being opened in the last few years. I have tried most of the Indian restaurants around the area and have concluded that the Raj Mahal restaurant in Westmead is one of the better picks.

The service is friendly and staff are very welcoming. I usually order take-away and meals are usually ready faster than most. The quality off food is at a high standard. The meals taste more of a home made flavor rather than a generic westernized taste. I must also mention this is by far the cheapest Indian restaurant I have come across.

I have ordered take-away 25+ times and have only had one minor bad experience.

Recommended to all - Take the time to check it out, it will be well worth your while.

Approximate cost: $9-$14.90

My friend introduced me an online ordering website called 'menulog'. I ordered through the website and waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for our order to arrive - I actually called the store twice. Once the delivery had arrived, we had noticed there was one item missing. We were told it would be used as credit for our next order.

This was a huge inconvenience but was nothing compared to the quality and value of meals we received. The following is a breakdown of each dish.

Steamed chicken dimsims were very tasty but unfortunately this is were our meal went downhill. In our duck red curry there were four small pieces of fatty duck the rest was filled with corn and broccoli. In our beef mas man curry there was three pieces of beef - the rest being liquid.

I'm not sure if the quality and value of the meal changed because we ordered through the discounted 'menulog' site but this establishment disgraced my family. It is the worst value I have ever encounted in my life. I urge any other person that has a bad experience to write a review!

I will never be back to this establishment and I do hope that this was a one time mistake on behalf of the business.

Overall this steakhouse is quite pleasing although not in my top 5. I had low expectations to begin with due to other poor reviews but decided to give this establishment the benefit of the doubt.

First impressions were low. My partner and I approached a waitress who explained we could sit anywhere we like. I jokingly asked to sit at a large table which seated 6-8 people. To my surprise we were seated, the glass wear & plates removed. As we stretched out I could not help to notice that the table we were on could have been more useful, advantageous and profitable to a larger party.

My table had a total of 3 waitresses - I'm not sure why. The first young lady new nothing other than what was in writing on the menu, seemed uninterested and looked like as though she had 'dragged' herself to work. The second lady seemed to pick the slack up from her co-worker while the third lady was obviously a manager coming to the rescue every time I emptied a beer or finished a meal - we waiting some time between eating and paying the bill.

On a positive note - well I should call it a 'neutral note' the food was a tad better than what was expected. Entree's were expensive compared to quantity received. Main meals were reasonably priced and quite generous.

Rib-eye on the bone, jacket potato with a side of pork ribs 7.5/10.

Scotch fillet, chips and gravy 8/10

Overall, the food was nice, came out quick and most meals reasonably priced compared to other steak houses. The service needs improvement - to much contact with too many waitresses = confusion.

Recommend if your near but would not go out of my way to eat here again.

Approximate cost: $20-80

Every time I walk past this restaurant I feel a strong force pulling me in- whether it be dine in or takeaway. This restaurant is by far one of the best Italian restaurants I have come across. The food is amazing - every time I go there I am still surprised how fresh and tasty the food is. The staff are attentive and polite and the chef/owner has set up the restaurant in a way that is elegant yet still makes you feel like you're at home.

I give this restaurant 5 star's based on the continuous high level of freshness and taste with all the meals I have ever ordered. The meals come out perfectly, not too fast as I like to finish my bottle of wine with my dessert. I will take note of my usual orders for anyone wanting to try this place –

Entree - insalata caprese con prosciutto
Secondi- ravioli all' anitra
Mains - coniglio cacciatore
Dessert – tiramisu

While La Ricetta provides a delightful wine menu, I choose to bring either of my two favourites – Devils Corner Pinot Noir or Santa Cristina Toscana.

I hope you enjoy your experience as much as I have, once again 5 stars!

Approximate cost: $18.90 - $28.90

I could rave on how good our first experience was but I will digest it into the following

Quality= food was excellent. Me and my partner started with a mixed bread entrée - 2 bruchetta, 3 garlic bread and 3 ciabratta bread + mixed olives, perfect for an entrée. I then ordered the chilli tomato prawn pasta, my partner had the lemon veal + garlic potatos. I also had a side of Greek salad. Both main meals were by far the best I have tasted in all my reviews/ dining out. The Greek salad was good although contained no lettuce. I had a bottle of pinot nior - $49–$55 dollars = quite a nice drop.

Service= while dining here we saw probably 5 different staff - not a problem but could have managed with one waiter. A little mix up with drinks but manageress fixed problem. Only criticism - main meals came out to fast. I had only just finished one glass of my wine and entrée. Tipped ±$10.
Value= probably one of the best value to cost ratios at the harbour. I had initially ordered the Greek salad because I thought the mains would be small - I was wrong. Value is very good. Entrees $7–$19.90. Mains $18.90–$38.00, and wine $32– +153

Overall= a nice atmosphere, excellent quality food, nice wine selection and great views - I very pleased I just hope the next visit is such success

Approximate cost: $20–$50