My friend and I went to this place over the weekend and had good time there. The food was OK, service was prompt but they need to improve the quality of their food..

My friend and I arrived (a little late for reservation) and were welcomed warmly. The degustation menu (6 course) comprised fascinatingly surprising combinations of ingredients in uniquely tasty dishes. The portions were petite... but at the end of the meal we were completely satisfied. We didn't wait long at all between courses. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive (without any sense of intrusion). The location is convenient, if a little pedestrian. Restaurant decor and seating arrangements are a bit quirky (minimalistic even), but the gastronomic experience more than made up for it.

Approximate cost: $45

I consider Absynthe to be highly over-rated. Chose to dine a-la-carte instead of the degustation menu.

It was very confusing and hard to find out what was on offer. Example: I asked what was available for desert only to be told we hadn't got to that yet!

Was made to feel like an impudent child at every turn.

The manager seemed to hold a tight grip over service and customer experience which is fine if customers want that kind of experience. It made me feel like a piece of cattle being manipulated to go in a certain direction.

Cannot remember exactly what I ate but I was really disappointed after building myself up for dining here.

Give it a try - but don't expect too much from the experience.

Approximate cost: $50

My partner and I went for the degustation menu. Very disappointed. This is supposed to be one of the 'best' restaurants on the Gold Coast. Only one dish impressed, that was the desert. We will not be rushing back in a hurry.

Partner and I did the degustation with matching wines. Food was good, interesting flavous, a bit whimsical, as you come to expect from degustations. Matched wines were all perfect.

Service was a bit hit and miss.. and i've heard bad stories about this from others... so other people may have had a different experience.

Ambiance: The fit out is what you'd think for high end dining but not such a good idea to rent the ground floor facing out on to the Gold Coast highway?! This place has aspirations of being the best restaurant in QLD and is in the tallest building in the southern hemisphere yet they put it on the ground floor, next to the highway? It has the same outlook and cheap Chinese restaurants down the road. odd...