I think reviewer Kanchij is on the money, but still too generous with their stars.

Starts with the atmosphere. I didn't feel I was in the middle east, but really felt I was in a dodgy restaurant in any backward suburb, anywhere are around the world. I also felt it was rather too big, I appreciate that they can do functions and alike, but when your having diner with your partner and so many table are empty, you lose a lot of the ambiance and removes the word intimate.

Moving on to the food, which I normally love from this part of the world. I tried the Mishawee Skewers of lamb, chicken and kafta, tabouli, hummus, garlic sauce and fries, for about $25 I felt the fries were oily and the chicken and especially the lamb was dry. I appreciate that they prepare meat a lot drier than at other types of restaurants, but this started to get "tough" and un-enjoyable rather than great food.

This was enough for me, whilst my partner had some gelato. I warned her that it wasn't going to be Italian gelato, and the 3 scoops though generous in size wasn't what she had hoped.

Lastly to illustrate how bad things have gone for "Sahara" they have started advertising on Living Social, as a rule I only subscribe to Living Social to know which restaurants are on the downhill slide, desperate to get customers and essential have been ripping off their customers as they can afford to give away 50% off! Worse of the coupon companies, and Sahara's association with them backs up ratings.

Approximate cost: $25

Just after I visited this place I got an email from one of those group deals - which exemplifies the direction this place is going, cheap, nasty and desperate.

Loved the Salt & Pepper Squid, Fresh Lime & Aioli entree for flavour and thought it wasn't going to be a great night. But like the size of this entree it just got more and more disappointing. I recall only about three tiny pieces for the entree and my guests entree was the same, we couldn't even afford to sample eachothers food. ($11 approx).

My main was terrible, a mishmash of crap. I had the seafood Linguini w spicy seafood broth, Moreton Bay bug & mussels, squid, fish & cherry tomatoes . I felt the food was a hassle to eat, which is to be expected but considering it was was the signature dish on the menu (in all the pictures) the Linguini was not al dante - just badly cooked. The seafood came off as dry and tasteless and all for just $30 odd bucks.

By this stage we didn't care to waste our money on desert. I'll simply say, extremely disappointing. Leave this place for the well off back packers in the area, and let's say even if the I got 60% off I still thought it was rubbish.

Approximate cost: $31

The laid back atmosphere works very well for King Street Newtown. I like to consider myself a regular when I am in Newtown. The mains are of a very decent size, though I have returned a burger as it was under cooked! But, they gave me an entirely new burger and chips - which I had smothered in mayo, so knew it was new! You realy can't do wrong in any of the mains, and won't leave hungry.

The Iced Coffee which is my standard Cafe drink is done well, and they don't use 10 ice cubes for filler which many other places do. Prices are extremely reasonable and I would recommend this place when in Newtown and don't feel like sitting in a smelly pub!

Approximate cost: $15

One star is generous for this place

I can appreciate that sometimes people have a bad night. But let's say I give some elements the benefit of the doubt - it was still woeful. Let's start with the wait, only 3 person deep, but was for 30minutes. Worse still when I finally got a waitress attention - to ask her how long it might be, she said "I don't know" no ballpark estimate or even, no apology but wasn't expecting one.

Finally got a table for two. Waiting.

We were already committed by this stage, so 20mins later they took our order. Whilst ordering our mains, I asked a suggestion for matching wines? She said "I could get the bloke of there, he might know?" I thought this might take another 20mins, so suggested not to bother the sommelier.

40mins later our food came and we both ordered pizza as this was suppose to be the meal which would come out the fastest. And it was terrible "Leo's Pizza" made up of layers of cheese was no taste, no flavour and definitely not $27 worth of pizza! My partners was similar, even though it was meant to be a completely different style of pizza. Least hers was only $19 for the same rubbish.

The Australian white I had was disappointing, but the highlight of the evening. If we weren't starving, we would have walked out like we say at least 4 tables do during the evening.

Lastly may I add, when I walked out - I have to point out that I did not see an Italian in the kitchen? I am not suggesting that Italian's can't make chinese, or kiwi's can't make Indian food. Just that make where's the Gio in Giovanni's? Sadly, this lack of authenticity this was reflected in the meals we had.

Would never go back, and from a person who tips regularly. I feel they should have given us a major discount - rather than dream of a tip - which of course didn't come! Terrible

Approximate cost: $22

What I don't like is the fact that the good Scotch is found upstairs. So everytime I want to have a decent drink I have to hike upstairs and then walk all the way down to sit with my friends. Sure it's not too bad if you get a seat upstairs, but reading the other reviewers, you can tell this place gets packed and easier said then done. Not to mention that it's a bit harder after your 5th drink.

Can't comment on the food as I usually eat in the many nearby restaurants (stay away from the tourist traps which are Kylie Kwong and Marque, only pretentious people who put name before food eat at these places - yes speaking from experience (see my other reviews))

Definitely packs out - especially on Friday nights and often before a sporting event at the SFS or SCG. Not in the direct line from the train station to the grounds, but the pub is good enough to de-tour for those in the know.

Drink prices fall into the above average, but for an above average pub, that's fair enough. I personally wouldn't come here to watch sport, as though there are a lot of tvs around, there are also plenty of 'dead zones'. Much better for couples to hide-out in these spots, then to sit down and watch sport.

Give this place a go, if nearby

So they only have degustation and at $160 I was expecting so much more. A massive massive disappointment. I felt Mark Best was trying to be cleaver more than delivering a divine dining experience. There's a very good reason that this place won't get a Michelin star, that's because the service is ordinary, the Sommelier was taking our advice more than making solid recommendations. decor put me to sleep and let me move on the the issues with the food.

The interesting dishes included the Salt & Vinegar Potato with Saltbush, Vadouvan & Chicken Hearts, or the Comté with Artichoke, Buttermilk & Nougatine but please do not confuse interesting with "Good" or "Grand". I just kept wanting more flavour, more uniqueness and if this is the best Sydney has to offer, no wonder we are behind the times in terms of culinary creations.

Both myself and my two friends walked away totally disappointed and for the money go elsewhere. If your looking for "an experience" or night out, send less and go elsewhere.

The small apéritif wine to cleanse the palate set us back $22, we probably should have checked that in advance.

Don't forget "5 per person will be added to every bill" for water!

Approximate cost: $160

I don't so much want to disagree with everyone as much as I want to say that I just don't like the pizza here. These may have been gourmet pizza's when they started the franchise all those years ago, but in 2012 they come across as extremely plain and bland.

The menu comes across as dated and the pizza's lack creativity and taste. Price was fine and reasonable, reading the other reviews, it doesn't seem like anyone else had an issue here.I find it hard to tip coming here, with so much competition in the market place for pizza, including the supermarkets.

Approximate cost: $21

The biggest issue I have with this place is price. We are talking about a suburban Chinese restaurant who wants to change $20 for mains. When you compare this to the competition in the local area, I would suggest Womo'ers go else where.

The actual food is good and the service is fine, though a few times it took forever to get the bill, we have been here once with my family and then as a business group. But both have been similar experiences.

Approximate cost: $20

It's a Coles so not much really to mention except that it's open till midnight every night which is very handy. Prices have definitely come down since a major competitor has opened nearby. But this isn't the cheapest, biggest or best Coles I know.

It's open when it needs to be.

Look it's a Coles so what more is there to say about this store? Maybe mention the size which is big and most acceptable. I usually shop here before work between 6am-7:30am and now with the automated checkouts, there's really no dramas.

I should mention what makes this Coles useful is that many of the other stores like the newsagency nearby doesn't open till late, so at least you can get the newspaper from Coles. shelves are well stocked and staff are friendly enough.