Welcome to the Ravens Restaurant Review...

This is the page you all lick your lips to. Looking for a place to go out for a bite to eat? Then why don't you take advantage of the Ravens Restaurant Review to make sure you make a good choice and don't get ripped off eating overpriced crap. We welcome your reviews at the usual e-mail address gladesvilleravens@yahoo.com.au and we will endeavour to publish them as soon as we get them. Any comments you have about any of our reviews would also be welcome, as we don't aim to offend or slander any respectable establishment, unless of course it is merited.

Restaurant: George's 
Address: Victoria Rd, Rozelle (back of Merton Estate Hotel) 
Influence: Simple Italian 

Review Added 21/03/2004 by Phil Mac 

George's was the venue of choice for the Premier League Pre-Season Dinner, with a huge turn out enjoying the simple Italian on offer. A very limited menu of schnitzels and pastas, with the 'mini' and 'maxi' combos the most popular choice. Will, Nick Christou, Phil Mac, Stu & Matty Roberts (apologies to those left off the list) all entered the maxi hall of fame demolishing a maxi combo getting through two huge schnitzels and main serving of pasta. Special mention to Will & Stu who came to the aid of others struggling with their feeds. The choice of inside and outdoor beer garden style seating and good value for money food (mini combos $12, maxi's $16) makes this a popular choice for many punters, with a good night had by all on this occasion. 

Scores:  Atmosphere 8/10 
Food 9/10 
Service 7/10 
Value 10/10 
Overall 9/10

Restaurant : Cafe Jolly
Address : Norton Street, Leichhardt.
Influence : Italy

Review Added 22/02/2004 by Declan

A bit of a risky choice this one, with so many to choose from in this Italian haven in Sydney, but it had a bubbly atmosphere, lots of drunk patrons, prompt service and most importantly, tasty, generous and good value food.  A more than capable substitute for the infamous Bar Italia across the road, and within spitting distance of two pubs.

Scores: Atmosphere 08/10
Food 09/10 
Service 09/10
Value 10/10

Overall 09/10

Restaurant : Vespa
Address : Victoria Road, Gladesville.
Influence : Italia / Australia

Review Added 24/11/2003 by Denise

Apparently there's an outdoor bit out the back for parties, but we were in the quite compact main area, and had one of the funky tables with a nice padded seat on one side. The atmosphere was definitely cool and relaxed with a cafe feel, but the food was exceptional. Most people were in for a coffee or a dessert after a gut full of Thai at one of the 68 Thai restaurants in the area, but we took advantage of the delicious offerings, and after a sensational steak, and a tender chicken dish, the coffees were fantastic, with a lovely big bit of sweaty chocolate cake to top it all off. I'll be back here, when I'm feeling in the mood for a relaxed, chill out with friends.

Scores: Atmosphere 08/10
Food 09/10 
Service 08/10
Value 08/10

Overall 08/10

Restaurant : Chelso's
Address : Ryde Road, Hunters Hill.
Influence : Italia

Review Added 25/11/2003 by Uncle Toby

Downstairs its a take away joint and cafe for pizzas and pastas and the like, while upstairs its more of a family restaurant. Got a bit loud for my liking to be honest, with a few kids running amok, but the food was top notch and not too expensive. BYO wine and good quality coffees topped off a good evening. Special mention to the waiting staff who were attentive and pretty.

Scores: Atmosphere 08/10
Food 09/10 
Service 09/10
Value 08/10

Overall 08/10

Restaurant : Pepinos
Address : Victoria Road, Gladesville.
Influence : Mexico

Review Added 24/11/2003 by Tex

Depending on where abouts you live in the Gladesville area, the chances are you've pulled up at the lights near the Bayview and seen the newest addition to the town's ever-growing restaurant strip. You've maybe wondered whether you'll give it a burl one of these days. 

Well, I can honestly say it was a good feed. Nipping in early on a Saturday evening to beat the rush and catch the rugby, we secured a neat table near the door with sweeping views over Victoria Road. A brief glance at the menu was all that was needed; we've never really cottoned on to what the difference between a taco, a fajita and a burrito is, so we ordered the combo meal with one of each, and a hearty salad to go with it. The portions, it must be said, were generous to the extreme, with an emphasis on cheese, and, accompanied by a half decent bottle of red, made for a quite sumptuous banquet. There was no way dessert was going to follow, and the bill was excellent value.

Combined with a surprisingly simple and clear atmosphere, the value for money and the healthy portions made for a great meal out. Thoroughly recommend it.    

Scores: Atmosphere 08/10
Food 09/10 
Service 08/10
Value 10/10

Overall 09/10

Restaurant : Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab Restaurant
Address : Elizabeth STreet, Central, Sydney
Influence : Thailand

Review Added 24/11/2003 by John

Ok, it's nowhere near Gladesville, but for those of us who travel by train from and to the city, this is the one you see on your left just as you're coming out of the tunnel after Wynyard and before Central, on the left hand side. Above a backpackers hostel. In a less than swanky part of town. Those factors swayed us to give it a try, surely it would be good value, and the reputation it holds throughout town is excellent.

Well, such is the emphasis on value for money at the Ravens Restaurant Review, we can quite safely write off any points there. Atmosphere was lively, food was good, but spoilt by the fact that the chilli crabs were over sixty dollars a head, to go with the other more reasonable Thai dishes. Service was appalling - well, no, in fact that's not true - service was prompt (a little too prompt) as they tried to rush us through our meal. More of a feeling of a tourist restaurant than a relaxing evening out with friends.

Had a good feed, which cost a fortune, and we can say that we've done it now, but they'll have to bring down their prices to tempt me back.

Scores: Atmosphere 06/10
Food 06/10 
Service 03/10
Value 01/10

Overall 04/10

Restaurant : La Disfida
Address : Main Restaurant Area, Haberfield.
Influence : Italia

Review Added 24/10/2002 by Hippolyte

Finally, a decent Italian feed without the stuck up superiority complex that so often goes hand in hand with Italian cuisine and Italian restaurants in Sydney. Fast becoming the new Leichhardt, Haberfield was the venue, sitting once again right on the edge of the Gladesville culinary belt. A Thursday night and we were lucky to get a table, the outdoor tables on the roadside not being available due to the chilly weather, but a cosy corner spot was left especially for us. 

The atmosphere was 100% Italy - pizza ovens, loud shouting from the kitchen and lots of Italian waitresses and chefs going about their busy trade. Pizza was the main order of the day, although there was one unusual selection of a pasta dish with a rocket salad on top. Our table nearly refused it when it arrived, thinking it was a salad, until the pasta was spotted peeping out from under the sumptuous green leaves. Not being a weekend, many people pass on dessert, but not our table, opting for the vanilla ice cream with shot of espresso which was a winner. Jamie Oliver, you were second on this one. With coffees to finish off, the bill was well under a hundred bucks with corkage. Service was good if a little slow, but excusable due to the pleasant surroundings and the fact that we arrived at peak time.

Scores: Atmosphere 09/10
Food 09/10 
Service 08/10
Value 07/10

Overall 08/10

Restaurant : Bayview
Address : Victoria Road, downtown Gladesville.
Influence : Australia

Review Added 30/09/2002 by Joel

As far as Bistros go, the Bayview is top of the range. It's balcony setting with sweeping views of Gladesville Primary School make it one of Sydney's premier dining locations, rivalling Jonah's at Palm Beach and Level 41 in the Chifley Tower.

The food is well priced, with pizzas, pasta, seafood and stir frys littering the menu. For those of you with a more simple palate you will not be disappointed, as Steaks, Burgers and Wedges can all be purchased.

The clientele the Bayview attracts makes it Australia's second biggest venue for celebrity spotting, besides the Logies. It is not unusual to see Simon Townsend's son knocking off a few wedges, or for Booza to be spotted demolishing a T-Bone steak.

For those of you who are feeling a little lucky after stuffing yourself stupid, you can wander in to Star City, where you will find a pokie room that would keep anyone with a gambling problem happy for months. 

Scores: Atmosphere 10/10
Food 08/10 
Service 08/10
Value 10/10

Overall 09/10

Restaurant : Perama.
Address : 80 Audley Street, Petersham.
Influence : Greece

Review Added 07/09/2002 by Pete

The Perama establishment enjoys a reputation amongst Sydney's Greek community as a high quality traditional eating place. It certainly did not disappoint for the Ravens Dinner on August 10th. A fairly small main room downstairs is complemented by a second room on the first floor which gives a homely feel. At $40 a head, BYO wine and very prompt waiting staff, the experience was excellent; a banquet affair, the dishes just kept coming, starting with bread and dips to begin with, halloumi cheese, fresh grilled seafood, then simosas, then chicken, and plenty for the discerning vegetarian. Rounded off with traditional Greek ice cream desserts and a smashing cup of coffee, the meal was thoroughly enjoyable. The diners could also indulge in star spotting as the venue appears to be a haunt for Australia's B grade actors and actresses. Parking was surprisingly straightforward, quite an important factor as it's a fair way from the metropolis of Gladesville.

Scores: Atmosphere 09/10
Food 10/10 
Service 10/10
Value 09/10

Overall 10/10

Restaurant : Star of Thailand
Address : Victoria Road, Gladesville
Influence : Thailand

Review Added 07/09/2002 by Michelle

The Star of Thailand enjoys a double presence in the area, with a second restaurant down the road in Drummoyne. For convenience sake, the Gladesville venue was chosen; two of the guests were former Gladesville residents now living in the city, but who were returning to go down memory lane at their favourite Thai Restaurant. The mood was cheerful, and within minutes of being seated, orders were taken for fairly standard Thai dishes; mixed starters and three mains between four was more than ample, and with an endless supply of steamed rice, all appetites were satisfied. Skipping desserts in favour of a change of scenery, the bill at the end of the night was under $70 for four, very good value all round.

Scores: Atmosphere 09/10
Food 08/10
Service 08/10
Value 10/10

Overall 09/10

Restaurant : Paradoxe
Address : Falcon Street, Crows Nest
Influence : France

Review Added 07/09/2002 by Pete

Venturing to the outer edges of the Gladesville Gastronomic experience belt, we took River Road all the way to and across the Pacific Highway and down Falcon Street, past Woolies and about 200m further on the left hand side on the way to Manly. A compact venue, this restaurant felt like you were in someone's living room, but there was plenty of room and with approx 50 covers, was still a good sized restaurant. For it to be full on a Monday night suggested that it was good, and it certainly was. The menu is set at $39 a head and has a choice of roughly four dishes for three courses. Vegetarians were not catered for in any great way, but the one option for the main was a good one - half a lobster. The carnivores amongst us took varied options - pigs knuckle, pave of beef and a delicate duck dish. The sorbet, a cleanser preferred to the Australian VB option, was an unexpected bonus course between starter and main, then the dessert was simply sublime all round with creme caramel and strawberries on the menu. Taking our own soft and alcoholic drinks in with no corkage was another plus. A good night had by all, great value French cuisine cooked up by a French chef all the way from Le Mans, who came out for a chat at the end of the night.

Scores: Atmosphere 07/10
Food 10/10
Service 10/10
Value 09/10

Overall 09/10

Restaurant : Thai Tanic
Address : Blues Point Road, Milsons Point
Influence : Thailand

Review added 07/09/2002 by Pete

Once again, the edge of the Gladesville culinary zone, this was a Friday night after work after drinks venue after sinking a few down the Oaks in Neutral Bay. Situated not too far down Blues Point Road, and handily next to a bottle shop and a poncy bar, this was not the first visit to this restaurant. The menus were ready and waiting for us as we sat down and in minutes we had ordered a feast for four, loads of choice and they all came nice and quickly. The crispy chicken noodles were outstanding and the copious amounts were well appreciated. The scallops in tangy sauce was also a top choice. The restaurant was loud and busy with most of the clientele being straight from the Greenwood. The bill at the end of the night was reasonable at roughly eighty dollars for four people, but those four people were well fed. 

Scores: Atmosphere 09/10
Food 08/10
Service 09/10
Value 08/10

Overall 08/10