Reviews by benchiees

This review is for Pho Pasteur, Blacktown NSW

verified email - 27 Sep 2012

I really like this pho restaurant in Westpoint, though it's not the best I've ever been to. Prices are okay considering it's in a shopping complex as opposed to a shop outside on the street, but still not as cheap as other pho places in around Sydney suburbs like Parra or Cabramatta area.

They do great seafood fried rice which I would highly recommend, as well as the classic beef noodle soup which is also good here. Service isn't too bad, but is a bit impersonal and could be friendlier.

The only other thing I would comment on is that they tend to serve meals when they are individually ready, instead of timing them so that they come out at the same time. I've eaten here several times with friends and family and one person always receives their meal about 5-10mins before everyone else, or after. This is a bit frustrating as everyone else's food either gets cold while they wait, or people just don't get to start their meal together.

Approximate cost: $12

This review is for City Extra, Parramatta NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

I love how they're open 24/7! This makes it a great place to meet up and hang out with mates in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning after a long and messy night out. Cosy atmosphere, plenty of booths and a red dim light setting.

Their range is MASSIVE - breakfast, desserts, pastas, pizza, salads and steaks.

I LOVE their bruschetta, so simple but the subtle addition of olives makes it soo good (and I usally don't like olives).
I also tried their chilli prawn and rocket pasta and it was pretty good. More of a noodle-type dish to me that didn't exactly have a thick sauce like most pastas do but the seasoning and prawn juices made it really tasty.

Prices aren't so inviting, I wouldn't come here every week for a complete meal out on my budget. Drinks are also pretty expensive for the size.

This review is for Tem Ichi Teppanyaki Sushi Restaurant, Parramatta NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

Great fun place to have dinner!

Good idea for birthdays and other celebrations when you want to have a good tasty meal but have fun at the same time :)

Came here with a couple of close girlfriends and the place was fairly busy (on a Fri) so we were waited for a table for about 5mins which is pretty good for Parramatta. And the fact that there even was a wait was a good sign that the place was good!

We picked the mixed menu with tea but not desserts and were pretty happy with it! It included a fresh salad to start, teriyaki chicken, beef, prawns and fried rice - ALL DELICIOUS but I loved the chicken, it was soo juicy and tender and the teriyaki sauce just topped it off.

We loved the chef who served/entertained us. At first he appeared very quiet, simple and average, but he soon surprised us with sudden attacks of egg and meat. We all had a great laugh and it was good to see everyone getting into it and forgetting that their fancy outfits were getting a stain-fest.

Approximate cost: $30

This review is for Noodle Xtra, Blacktown NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

YUM.
My friend and I always come here after work for a good tasty feed. Can't go wrong with their Special Fried Rice with prawns or Wonton Noodle Soup if you want a simple, classic Asian meal.

But if you're feeling adventurous definitely give their Nasi Goreng or BBQ pork a go. Delicious and the serving is pretty generous.

While it is mainly a takeaway/counter service place, the service is still friendly and entertaining. As a regular I'm used to being acknowledged with jokes and small talk everytime we walk in, though they are like that with everyone too.

Super quick service - you won't be waiting long. And if you order by their steps where you choose your style, ingredients and noodles you can see exactly what's going into your meal.

Approximate cost: $12

This review is for Hi Thai, Blacktown NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

Pretty good! Cute little Thai place on level 4 (rooftop) of Westpoint. The atmosphere inside is cosy and slightly dim, which is nice and relaxing if you want to get away from the usually loud and chaotic happenings at Westpoint.

For the actual food, it's pretty okay, haven't stumbled on anything amazing yet but then again I haven't tried half their menu! What I have had so far I've liked though - eg. the crab fried rice and the vegetarian fried rice (and I usually don't do/like vegetarian!!).

Their fried ice cream is simple and a little small for my liking (or maybe I'm just a greedy pig lol) but it's okay, just not the best I've had.

Prices are pretty average, but they do a good lunchtime special.

Come here for those mid-week Thai cravings when you don't want to travel out to Cabramatta.

Approximate cost: $15

This review is for Holy Basil, Canley Heights NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

Great. I'd recommend their famous fried ice cream, though it's a bit pricey, it's pretty big and most importantly, DELICIOUS. It comes with a bit of some toffee-like crumble stuff which just tops it off. Better than any other Thai fried ice cream I've had.

As for their entrees and mains, also delicious :) I love their salads, refreshing and tangy but also filling. Also definitely try their red duck curry - YUMMMM.

They also offer you the choice of mild medium hot or crazy hot when they take your order which is good for first-timers to Thai in general and who might not expect their meal to come out particularly spicy - their spice threshold is INSANE.

ALSO I'd recommend giving one of their fruit shakes a go. They have all the regular flavours (strawberry, mango) but also the more exotic ones (guava, avocado) and every single one is delicious - yes I've tried them all HAHA! Great size too.

Service is also good, however the price range is pretty average, nothing that screams out "bargain!"

Approximate cost: $15

This review is for Churrasco, Coogee NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

YUM! A meat lover's paradise! A variety of fresh, juicy, succulent meat all night long... So tasty and veeeery satisfying. They also do different poultry, seafood and veg bbq items - all delicious!

Service was okay, not the best I've experienced but nothing to complain about either.

We had the all-you-can-eat option which was definitely worth it for less than $40, especially as I'm a pretty big eater.

Great for when you're starving and craving a good hearty buffet bbq meat fest.

This review is for La Cita, Sydney NSW

verified email - 26 Sep 2012

Came here with a friend the other night and had a great time! Their sangria was nice and sweet, but not too sweet. We had a range of different tapas and most of them were really yummy.
I especially like the chicken skewers with gravy, prawns and their beautiful fresh salad.

Though the individual tapas portions weren't huge, this was perfect for tasting a whole range of different ones, and by the end of the night I was absolutely stuffed! Couldn't even fit in any dessert (which I usually can after having dinner out).

Loved the service too - friendly, helpful and courteous. And when we asked to move tables so we wouldn't be out in the cold they dealt with it happily and without complaint.

Would recommend this place and I'd probably go back to try their other main dishes!

This review is for Village Hotel, Mount Druitt NSW

verified email - 21 Sep 2012

Great $7 cook-your-own Rump steak deal!!
It runs Sun-Thurs and is the best value steak meal I know of in the area. The rump is 300g and you're allowed to fill your plate up with a pretty decent range of sides like hot chips (really good ones), peas and corn, mixed lettuce salad, seafood salad, coleslaw, pesto pasta salad and of course your choice of gravy, mushroom, pepper or dianne sauce.

If you're hungry you'll always be satisfied here and you decide how much to season your steak and how you want it cooked. The downside of course, is you have to do the work :P

But still excellent value for money!

They also have other cheap deals throughout the week.

Service and atmosphere don't really wow me but still would recommend it!

Approximate cost: $7

This review is for Grill'd, Parramatta NSW

verified email - 20 Sep 2012

DELICIOUS burgers!!

They're so tasty and the best part is they're surprisingly HEALTHY too. All meat is grilled to perfection and the variety of different flavours and ingredients on the menu is great - I'm always keen to try something new each time I come here as I can be pretty confident I'll like it and that it'll be different and unique.

I was satisfied with the service - friendly and helpful even when we were being a little fussy.

Prices are a little high compared to your regular burger takeaway fast food chain, but then again Grill'd is nothing like Maccas or HJ's etc anyway. They serve delicious, fresh, gourmet burgers in a generous serving size. Though drinks and sides are separate - no pre-fixed meals or combos.

I think the extra few $$ is worth it.

They're also actively involved with local community groups. With each purchase they'll give you a bottle cap to place in one of three jars at the front of their store - each jar for a different local community cause, like small charities or support for the local kids footy team. They then donate $500 to the cause with the most caps at the end of the month.

Would go back to Grill'd soon!
Give their lamb burger or steak sandwiches a try! YUM.

Approximate cost: $12