Reviews by Sparkesy

This review is for Mezethes Greek Taverna, Hobart TAS

verified email - 23 Apr 2012

My wife and I dined here for our 5th wedding anniversary after hearing some pretty positive things about it from friends.

The food was fantastic, full of flavour and delicious. It was a little on the pricy side but worth it.

What let them down was the service. It was a very busy evening but as we were seated in a nice cosy corner we seemed be a bit out of sight out of mind. Observing from our vantage point there didn't seem to be much system to the way our waitress operated.

All in all it was a pleasant evening but I believe if i were to go there again it would be on a quieter night.

This review is for TKO Bakery Cafe, Oatlands TAS

verified email - 22 Apr 2012

After seeing signs on the Midlands Highway spruiking about how their pies are the best in tassie we decided to swing off the highway to give them a try.

The bakery sits in an old pub and is a pretty creative use of the space. We wandered in, perused the menu, ordered and pulled up a table.

We received our coffee first and to be honest it was pretty average. Not the worst I've had this year but a long, long, long way from the top 5.

When our pies came out the accompanying chips & salad were in very generous portions and the pies weren't tiny either. What they were, however, was cold in the middle.

I had the steak & bacon, my wife had chicken & Camembert and my father in law had curried scallop. None were hot in the middle.

We pointed this out to the waitress who was very quick to apologise and rectify the problem with pies that were actually heated through.

The replacement pies were of an exceptionally high standard and could quite possibly uphold the claims on the signage.

In a nutshell, the pies were quality, the coffee was pretty poor, but the service was hit & miss. I wouldnt rule out going back but I wouldn't be rushing there.

This review is for Hotel Soho, Hobart TAS

verified email - 22 Apr 2012

Sunday nights is 'Round The Clock' meals. A choice of 4 meals (chicken parmi, steak, spag bol or fish & chips for $5 each between 5pm & 6pm, then $6 between 6 & 7, then $7 til 8pm and so on.

The meals are pretty basic and you'll probably get better elsewhere (and pay a lot more) but at that price you can't complain.

The staff are nice enough, generally helpful but often fairly busy. There's usually sport on TV and music to listen to as well. Definately worth a visit for a feed on a budget.

This review is for Monster Cookie Cafe, Campbell Town TAS

verified email - 22 Apr 2012

Stopped in here for lunch on the road when travelling home after a weekend in Launceston. In all honesty the place has more of a take away felt than a cafe feel. There are a few tables with menus on them but a Bain Marie full of pre-cooked offerings clearly designed for the passing traffic wanting to eat on the go.

Our order was cooked fresh as we were taking advantage of the tables. We didnt have to wait too long and the serves were a good size too.

I'd probably go back if i was looking for a feed on the run, but for cafe dining there are better options in Campbell Town.

This review is for Adina Place Motel Apartments, Launceston TAS

verified email - 22 Apr 2012

I have to say after seeing the place from the road I didn't have particularly high expectations for this place. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

We booked this particular accommodation due to a need for an extra room whilst sticking to a budget. At under $300 for 2 nights for 3 people we ticked all our criteria.

Upon arrival staff at reception were helpful and friendly without being over the top. We were located on the second floor in a clean and comfortable room (though one or two things were a bit knocked around) with a private balcony and two bedrooms.

There are no dining facilities and if you eat breakfast you'll either need to cater it yourself (facilities in room) or alternatively you can purchase a "breakfast to go pack" from your room for $10. The pack contains cereal, longlife milk, fruit salad, a meusli bar and a juice box.

Location-wise this place is walking distance from the CBD and several nice restaurants, though the walk back is up a pretty steep hill.

Inexpensive, convenient and tidy. I'd stay here again.

This review is for Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston TAS

verified email - 21 Apr 2012

My wife and I stayed here for a couple of nights over the Easter long weekend on a discount mystery deal purchased through Wotif.com

From the moment we arrived the staff were friendly, courteous and helpful. They were very quick to respond to my requests for a power board and an extra pillow.

The room itself was a little dated but it was spacious and clean. Everything we needed for the stay.

Instead of the breakfast special on offer if you pre-purchse, we decided to pay a little bit more and avail ourselves of the Executive Club Lounge. This is where we went wrong. The reception staff cautioned us that the lounge would need to be set up (I assumed stocked) as it doesn't get used often. That was no problem as were heading out for a stroll anyway.

Upon our return, we collected the entry code from reception and went up to the lounge. Pretty disappointing to find it very poorly stocked with one beer, one red wine, one white wine and no non alcoholic drinks. The advertised biscuits to enjoy with a coffee were also not present.

We had a bit more of a look at the facilities while waiting for the kettle to boil and discovered almost all the small boxes of cereal that were there were out of date too. The included early evening canapes came to the lounge right on time and were very tasty, we pointed out the cereal to the staff member who removed the offending items.

The following morning we returned to the lounge for our breakfast and discovered the dishes from the previous evening canapes were still on the table. This was despite the daily newspapers having been updated in the room. We had some cereal and fruit salad (that had been delivered to the lounge the evening before) for breakfast but there was no bread or toaster. Surely something that would be a staple of a light breakfast.

After finishing our toastless morning meal, we stopped at reception to advise them of the experience on our way out for the day. We were immediately offered the opportunity to continue breakfast in the restaurant (which we declined due to time constraints and sitting down for a couple of slices of toast seemed like overkill) as well as being told we would only be charged for one Lounge entry for the two if us.

We stayed our second night (but didn't bother with the exec lounge) and checked out the following morning. Upon checking out we were advised that the charge for the lounge entry had been completely waived not just half which was a nice surprise.

I would very happily stay at the Grand Chancellor again, but it is unlikely I'd use the Executive Club Lounge facilities.

This review is for Minh Buu Chinese Restaurant, Launceston TAS

verified email - 21 Apr 2012

Dined here this evening after a day at the Drift Racing and were for the most part pleasantly surprised.

The service was a little sluggish when it came to taking our order but our meals came our promptly.

My wife & I both ordered chicken dishes and my father in law had Salt & Pepper seafood. The flavours were absolutely fantastic, however the texture of tgh chicken seemed a little stringy - almost as if it was processed chicken as opposed to breast fillet.

The highlight for me though was the big fish tank they have in there. It has several fish, starfish and a rather lively eel. I coukd have happily spent another hour there just watching the tank.

Approximate cost: $22 - $30

This review is for Franco's Italian Restaurant, Launceston TAS

verified email - 20 Apr 2012

Tonight's dinner was a bit of a mixed bag really.

We walked in without any kind of reservations and were seated promptly. The venue didn't seem busy by any standards so I was surprised when there was only one menu available for three of us to share - a large booking was using the rest of them.

After sharing the menu we ordered, a herb bread to start then each of our respective pasta dishes. The pasta came out promptly and was delicious, perfectly cooked, flavoursome and thoroughly enjoyable. I can't tell you what the bread was like though because it didnt actually arrive.

We finished our meal and declined dessert after substantial mains, requesting the bill. When I pointed out the bread never came out it was promptly removed but there was no apology for the error.

Would I go go back? Probably. Would I rush back? Not so much.

This review is for Alchemy Bar & Restaurant, Launceston TAS

verified email - 20 Apr 2012

After having a fantastic dining experience at another venue on the same street the night before, this was a major let down.

The staff were friendly enough, but the servicebdidnt stand out as memorable or exceptional.

The pricing was around about what youd expect.

The quality of the meal was the disappointing part for us. My wife & I both ordered a chicken & pasta dish, and we were both served pasta and chicken that was overcooked and unpleasant to eat.

I can't see us rushing back here in a hurry.

This review is for The Prickly Cactus, Launceston TAS

verified email - 20 Apr 2012

We stumbled on this little place over the Easter long weekend when we found it was one of the few places open on Good Friday and boy are we glad we did.

From the moment we walked in the staff were friendly and attentive as well as making some really helpful suggestions.

I enjoyed what were arguably the best Chimmychangas I have ever eaten and my wife raved about the seafood & avocado dish she ordered.

Serving sizes were generous and pricing was very reasoable. Highly recommended.