After a big day out, we popped into Parramatta for dinner, we found Armani Restaurant, have always wanted to try this place as I have heard so much about it from school mums.

We arrived around 7.30pm and it was no problem finding seats, we sat outside which was good, great atmosphere.

The menu is big, has so much variety, though as the previous reviewer has mentioned, we found it very pricey, we were astonished to find that spaghetti bolognese was priced at $22.90, we ordered it for our girls as they love pasta, it was nicely presented though the pasta was way too hard.

We also had the mixed plate, which was really tasty, I have to say it was the best mixed plate we have had ever, the chicken, lamb and kefta skewers were cooked to perfection, the chicken was mouthwatering. The only thing I could suggest is to leave the leb bread plain and provide more chips. Apart from that the plate was perfect. This plate is definitely enough for 2 people.

The bruschetta was really tasty, really good size, was really impressed with this as we love our brushchetta and eat it everywhere.

We also had the margarita pizza which was really tasty as well.

I was really impressed with our dishes, as I am one that suffers from Reflux and thought it was going to be more garlic/spices in the meals, but there was only a scent of it, which was great for me.

The waiters were attentive to our needs however they could of been more friendly it just seemed their there to do their job and that's it.

I found it strange that they didn't serve table water especially for the kids, thankfully the kids left the car with their water bottles.

Overall a good filling meal, though very pricey menu.

Approximate cost: $105.00

There is much to love and much to dislike about Armani's in Parramatta. Unfortunately, the latter has a more extensive list. First of all, this is only a place to go if you have money and you're willing to spend it. There are much cheaper options for Middle Eastern food of similar or better quality in Sydney. Yet there is a strong social dynamic to this restaurant, and it is apparent the owners are all too aware of how popular it is at any time of day, and take advantage of this to the max.

To start with the pros - the food is incredible. There is an extensive list of entrees, light meals and mains. I usually go for the Mixed Grill, which features just about every mouth-watering Lebanese food item: meat skewers, hommus, baba ganouj, tabouli, pickles, seasoned bread and garlic sauce (and for some strange reason, hot chips). Whilst the price of ~$27 is a bit steep, taste-wise it never fails to disappoint.
There is literally a whole separate menu book for dessert, which too is not disappointing. Again, the prices are quite steep and you're better off sharing one dish amongst friends, as they are very rich and difficult to finish. There are a large range of traditional Lebanese sweets, cakes and an assortment of gelato flavours and fruit platters.
This restaurant is also beautifully-decorated. The outside is traditionally Middle-Eastern in its appearance and is draped from head to toe in its exotic designs. The inside is a little less cultural, but still provides for couples as well as large groups without the noise being too much to bear amidst conversation.

But overall, their menu is overpriced and at times just plain outrageous. For example, they don't serve 'table water', which by law should be given for free. Instead, they sell bottled Mount Franklin water for $4.50, and that's about the cheapest drink on the menu. I was looking forward to their Fresh Mint Tea after my meal (also ~5) and was very disappointed to find it was just boiling water with a Lipton tea bag. Such pricing is almost insulting, and it's a trend throughout both menus.

The waitstaff is average. They are neither impolite nor notably friendly. They simply do their job by sitting you down, bringing your food and giving you the bill. Deliverance is commendably speedy, even on mains which typically take much longer to assemble. Even when the restaurant has been very busy, I've never had to wait a notably long time for my meal, which is a refreshing, rare touch.

Finally, there is also a decent quantity of arghile flavours (hookah, hubbly bubbly, whatever you choose to call it). I'm not a smoker, but I've tried this once or twice and the mint is excellent. That said, if smoke gets to you the outdoor area is not ideal, as the odds are you'll be left or right from someone blowing smoke idly in your direction.

Overall - Armani's is a well-decorated restaurant offering some great Middle Eastern food at a respectable service, but at many of these prices, you may question whether you're getting your money's worth.

Approximate cost: $30