Reviews by Sim-One

This review is for Top-Fun Family Fun Centre & Ten Pin Bowling, Rosebud VIC

13 Jul 2013

Great place to occupy the kids and adults when down the Peninsula. Our second visit here last week, first time was Xmas holidays. It is always quite busy, but staff are friendly and helpful. There are two courses both 18 holes. The place is well maintained and inside they also have a heap of game machines to amuse kids too. If visiting on a sunny day ensure you wear a hat and sunscreen as it isn't all under cover. Guaranteed to enjoy your visit, but some patience can be needed if its busy and people have really young kids who take forever to hit the ball in...this can cause congestion on the course.

This review is for Oak Court Receptions, Preston VIC

13 Jul 2013

Booked this venue with a group of friends for our kids Communion Function - a group booking with 8 families and friends. A private group booking suppose you would call it. The owners were very nice, friendly and helpful. The booking was for a Sunday lunch. They were accommodating with menu choices and also able to offer alternatives for quite a few with allergies/intolerances. The day went well, food was nice, served alternating as you would have in a wedding situation. Each child had a cake table next to their main table and had their moment cutting cake. The DJ played the requests of the kids who got their moves happening on the dance floor, he even called them all up for a turn on the mic to give little speech each. It all went well, we were in the upstairs room, a little bit of a hike for the elderly grandparents. Everyone seemed to enjoy the function - especially the kids who were the main focus and loved it!

This review is for Tre Bambinis Pizza, Reservoir VIC

13 Jul 2013

One of our local pizza places and definitely the best of them. Nice friendly staff, have had home delivery and picked up too. Pizza toppings have always been fresh and the quality of toppings good. They have a discounted price for pickup on Wednesday. The price on normal days is reasonable and there are a few different specials detailed on the menu which we often take advantage of. No hesitation in recommending you give it a try as I don't think you would be disappointed - we have not been so far and have been using this place for couple of years now.

This review is for Rye Hotel, Rye VIC

13 Jul 2013

Our second visit to Rye Hotel for dinner. First time was during school Xmas holidays and it was soooo busy, and no one could take a booking apparently when we rang to book, but when we arrived that wasn't the case apparently? Anyhow went again last week - July school holidays this time. We didn't book, but no problem getting a table. The host who seated us was quite friendly and gave us a run down on ordering. Hubby and I both ordered a dips to share and a steak each. My son had a pizza and some fries. The entree was nice and came out quickly, the mains came out promptly too. Our steaks were cooked correctly and quite tasty, they were on a pesto mash which had too much pesto and quite lumpy, plain mash would of been nicer, especially with the sauce choices, the usual mushroom, pepper etc, didn't quite mix with the pesto so strong. Everything came out quickly even though they were also catering a wedding party up the other end of venue. Will go back again, might just try better selection with meal choice based on flavours.

This review is for Ciao Bella, Balnarring VIC

13 Jul 2013

Went with a group of friends during Jan holidays. The restaurant was found with our GPS as we are not from the area. We met with the rest of our group who were already seated so 10 of us in total. The place was very busy, seating was little uncomfy - we were on a long table and I ended up on bench seat with friend...there were a few cushions scattered but I missed out. A few in our group had been there week before and were recommending a dish however it wasn't on menu that night unfortunately. So we ordered pizzas and a few ordered pastas. Very tasty indeed, took awhile to come but worth the wait, although my pizza was slightly burnt it was still tasty. Trying to get waitresses attention for more drinks was a chore, we said excuse me half a dozen times, they just ignored no acknowledgement of anyone's attempt to get their attention, they were busy but that was rude. We noticed a gent who was possibly the manager say something to one of them and he came over and took our order. Will definitely go back again, hopefully at a time that it isn't as busy. Food was all pretty good, and we all did enjoy.

This review is for Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant, Carlton VIC

20 Feb 2013

A friend asked me along with her to a Hens Party at Draculas. We were in a group of 20 or so. The cost was $95 per head which does not include alcohol, however we got given a complimentary drink card for one specific cocktail however am not sure if this is a typical occurence. There are different levels of cost determined by the day you attend, the seating or pre-show cocktail time. Anyhow we met up out front, then were shown into Draculas in our group. They vamp girl was amusing and took us to another area where in groups they got you to have your photo taken with the Bride to be, if you wished to purchase the photo it was $18. However that wasn't made totally clear as I know at the end of evening the wait staff handed out the photos and not everyone was aware they had to pay that much. Anyhow you then jumped into a Ghost train after the photo and the journey to another area began. Holding your cocktail it was somewhat akward in the train as it was a very jolting ride and we spilt half of it. However that was enjoyable and in some areas a bit gross and admittedly I did scream when going through simulated spider webs. We arrived and got off the train and headed off to be seated by our gothic vampy zomby looking waiter. The seating is similar to stadium seating where we were on 2nd level I believe its bench seats with a small bench table infront. If you happen to be a "chunky" person this could be a bit squishy. Anyhow we were seated and our somewhat rude agressive (in character) waiter took drinks orders. Most cocktails were $15 each, he requested we order a few because during the show there would be periods he wouldn't come, even suggesting we order the cocktail that comes in a huge "fish bowl". The entree came it was alternate, either onion and fetta or moroccan chicken and pumpkin tart. I am not sure if it was supposed to be hot or cold. I ended up with the moroccan chicken, it was bland, luke warm now it was 30 odd degree night so not sure if it was pre-cooked and served room temp or cooked, but it wasn't to my taste and my friend didn't enjoy hers either. Then the waiter came and yelled at us told us we needed to order, so we did, I ordered the lamb, it was on a bed of mash and some broccolini, zuccini and slice capsicum with some type sauce. The lamb was tender and luke warm, mash lumpy, the sauce had odd flavour and the couple of pieces of vegies were what I enjoyed most. Although I wasn't expecting great food, their website made it sound like it was going to be above my expectations, however it wasn't. So the show began, it wasn't bad, some parts loud not sure if thats due to where we sat and the speakers. Honestly some bits were amusing, some funny, the show on a whole seemed disjointed, didn't really mesh on a whole, but I would say I've now been and experienced it. When the waiter came to remove our plates from dinner he decided to play with the Hens food, cutting up her remaining food, adding a bread stick then he took my cocktail and picked my straws up took some alcohol added it to her food and put it back infront of me then mixed her food up. I was at a loss - he has touched so many things then messed with my cocktail - gross! The show began again, and some were served dessert. Eventually someone came and started to clear our placemats and cutlery. They were informed we hadn't received dessert so he went off to bring it. When I had my dessert in front of me a nice coffin shaped chocolate box I asked what was in it. He said it is cream, coconut, berries and ..... then stuck his finger into it and licked it and said that's blood! ewwww gross again, my friend looked at me and quickly took my dessert and replaced it with hers as the look on my face said it all. Anyhow I must say the chocolate was nice, the contents was horrid - a mix of whipped cream and dessecated coconut - not a nice mix at all. Evenutally the show ended and the wait staff came around and gave the drink bill for your tables, to leave the place you needed a wrist band which represented you had paid for drinks. Then were able to go to the cocktail lounge and some of the cast came to hang out. There were jelly shot cocktails for sale in a syringe at $10 which were tasty, the cocktails were nice however the alcohol content wasn't there, I had 4 over the night and was still sober. We did enjoy ourselves as it was group of people all having fun. The show was ok but it will never make it to broadway. The service and staff - need some etiquette and hygiene lessons. Overall I'd only go back if I had no option i.e., was invited for someone elses occasion. My husband who didn't go said maybe the staff were like that as it probably was supposed to gross us out as they were zombies or vampires...well if that's the case they get 10/10 for that.

Approximate cost: $95.00

This review is for Toti's European Pizza Bistro & Cafe, Rosanna VIC

16 Feb 2013

Went to Totis for dinner tonight, probably our fifth or so visit. The place was busy as it can sometimes be therefore very noisey - hard to speak with my family at table with me. We were seated but it took maybe 10 mins for a waitress to bring us menus, first time we experienced such a delay. Tonight the food was not standard it generally is, this is first time service hasn't been great also. Only positive bruschetta was yum, but our mains not so much. Will still go back, am hoping this was a one off occurrence as all our other visits the food has been fantastic!
They have a varied menu, pizza as its also take away and mains ranging from seafood to steak. They sell alcohol there and also have a small kids menu with 3 options. Definitely worth a try. Parking is usually not too difficult either.

This review is for Pie In The Sky, Olinda VIC

15 Feb 2013

A great place to stop in and grab a bite when in the area. The menu has variety of meals, pies are DELISH and the Devonshire tea good too. Only downside it can get very busy and hard to get a table and if you visit the area in winter when it's snowed park in the car park behind at your own risk, it's quite hilly and steep and we witnessed people trying to park or leave and their cars sliding in snow into other parked vehicles or others waiting to park.

This review is for Bruno Cataldo, South Yarra VIC

15 Feb 2013

Being a person absolutely petrified of the dentist since primary school years I tried to avoid going and religiously brushed my teeth. Then out of necessity I sought out a dentist through friends and ended up going to Bruno Cataldo. He is very gentle, reassuring and in my lifetime was the first dentist I didn't mind seeing. I've been going to his practice now for many years as well as my husband and 11yo son. Infact I've recommended him to family members and we all go. It is other side of town from me, but it's worth the travel. I wouldn't say I enjoy going, can get to anxiety panic attack levels at the prospect, but when I go for my routine checks and out of necessity I know I'm seeing a great dentist.

This review is for Jade Kingdom, Heidelberg Heights VIC

13 Feb 2013

Dine in or take away. Inside it is very crowded and noisey, take away and expect to possibly get your phone order wrong. Trying to get from the front door to the counter an impossible task...but worth the effort. The food is tasty a menu with both Chinese and Malaysian dishes. I wouldn't say it's close to the best I've had but we have been here a lot of times. We tend to order from the Malay menu more often. If you want reasonably priced food with no frills then this is your restaurant.

Approximate cost: $18