ARIA Sydney...Disappointing experience

[mella2007]

Have dined at Aria in Sydney 3 times over the last year and have usually enjoyed...but was very disappointed with the food last night.

Overcooked meals (parts inedible), weird combinations that just didn't work (Barramundi with green emulsion), the comp starter was purely tomato juice in a glass (if I wanted to eat the juice of a raw tomato I'd do it at home, not as a palate cleanser!) plus a few more mishaps.

Considering the price paid for 2 courses and wine...I think I'll be dining elsewhere when I visit Sydney. Is it just me or is Matt Moran's menus lacklustre and over rated?

 

[markis10]

Was there a red team or a blue team in the kitchen with lots of cameras?

 

[mella2007]

hehhehe....no, but I felt like pulling out pen and paper and pretend to be a food critic just for the reaction!

 

[Andyzx]

I’m sorry Mella it’s time to leave the masterchef kitchen, you have had two great meals but it’s the dish on the day that counts. Please pay on the way out [camera pans to Mella handing over platinum credit card, visibly upset "with tears" but with a strong focus on not tipping] to the taxi so you can share your experience live on masterflyer .com.au

Love
Gary, George, Matt P and sidekick Matt M.

Sorry couldn't resist as I have not had the pleasure of eating there, I will climb back into my Y minus seat and head home :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: :arrow:

 

[SeatBackForward]

I’m sorry Mella it’s time to leave the masterchef kitchen, you have had two great meals but it’s the dish on the day that counts. Please pay on the way out [camera pans to Mella handing over platinum credit card, visibly upset but with a strong focus on not tipping] to the taxi so you can share your experience live on masterflyer .com.au

Love
Gary, George, Matt P and sidekick Matt M.

Sorry couldn't resist as I have not had the pleasure of eating there, I will climb back into my Y minus seat and head home :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: :arrow:

What? no tears?

 

[mella2007]

I’m sorry Mella it’s time to leave the masterchef kitchen, you have had two great meals but it’s the dish on the day that counts. Please pay on the way out [camera pans to Mella handing over platinum credit card, visibly upset "with tears" but with a strong focus on not tipping] to the taxi so you can share your experience live on masterflyer .com.au

Love
Gary, George, Matt P and sidekick Matt M.

Sorry couldn't resist as I have not had the pleasure of eating there, I will climb back into my Y minus seat and head home :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: :arrow:

Umm...I don't have a Platinum card and I flew Y, so not sure of the sarcasm?

 

[cove]

We go to Aria for the pre-show meal and we have not been disappointed. It is always nice being there when a large cruise ship is moving. We have not had anything to complain about and it is a local when we are in Sydney.

 

[vitagen]

I'm due to go Aria next sat then press club on the Monday in Mel. I hope what you experienced is a once-off! What did you order btw?

I dined at the Quay last time I was there and it was awesome, best dining experience ever! Even compared to Vue de Monde a few days after!

The west coast has a long way to catch up with our brothers/sisters over east.

 

[mella2007]

I'm due to go Aria next sat then press club on the Monday in Mel. I hope what you experienced is a once-off! What did you order btw?

I dined at the Quay last time I was there and it was awesome, best dining experience ever! Even compared to Vue de Monde a few days after!

The west coast has a long way to catch up with our brothers/sisters over east.

Had the pork belly for Entree and the Barramundi for Main
Mr Mella had the scallops and then the beef (the beef was fantastic)

You'll enjoy The Press Club...are you having the 7 course?

 

[vitagen]

Had the pork belly for Entree and the Barramundi for Main
Mr Mella had the scallops and then the beef (the beef was fantastic)

You'll enjoy The Press Club...are you having the 7 course?

I haven't looked at the menu yet... first time to Aria and Press Club. I guess with these restaurants go for the dego? What are your recommendations?

 

[mannej]

Umm...I don't have a Platinum card and I flew Y, so not sure of the sarcasm?

I don't think it was a dig at you as such, but more a play on some Masterchef humour

 

[flyingfan]

I had the tasting menu at Aria and it was excellent as whole. A la carte different story - pretty forgettable. So degustation seems to be the way to go there for me anyway.

 

[bossreggie]

I'm due to go Aria next sat then press club on the Monday in Mel. I hope what you experienced is a once-off! What did you order btw?

I dined at the Quay last time I was there and it was awesome, best dining experience ever! Even compared to Vue de Monde a few days after!

The west coast has a long way to catch up with our brothers/sisters over east.

I agree with you thoughts on Quay. IMHO.... It is the benchmark for quality in Australia.

I do like the Press Club too... They do some great degustation menus.

I am heading to PER before the Olympics so I may try a few spots there.

Boss

 

[oz_mark]

The west coast has a long way to catch up with our brothers/sisters over east.

True, but there are a handful around. I like Balthazar. Restaurant Amuse and The Loose Box remain on my To Do list though

 

[Blackswan]

I am heading to PER before the Olympics so I may try a few spots there.

[Slightly off topic]
Although I've never been myself, I've heard good things about the degustation menu at Opus. It's also very convenient if you happen to be staying at the Richardson.

 

[opusman]

I've been to Aria twice and thought it was over-priced and over-rated both times.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Agree with opusman. Been twice, shockingly bad service both times, overpriced.

The last time we went was terrible. Mrs spatsky is vegetarian, she ordered vege degustation and me the normal deg.

Twice, she was given meat dishes, even though she was eating vegetarian. The waiter tried to blame it on the kitchen the first time!

Then they cane to out table, removed one unused chair. 10 minutes later, another waiter brought it back. No one said a word. Just plain weird.

My recommendations in sydney are sepia (yum, went a few nights ago) and Bentley.

 

[Coathanger]

I've had a few dinners at ARIA and aside from one excellent experience they were of a good standard without being exceptional. At that price point you expect a great experience each time but for me the meals were not particularly memorable and service average.

Personally I prefer Guillaume at Bennelong or Quay for a special occasion.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I've been to Aria twice and thought it was over-priced and over-rated both times.

Who runs the joint?

 

[rechoboam]

I've had a few dinners at ARIA and aside from one excellent experience they were of a good standard without being exceptional. At that price point you expect a great experience each time but for me the meals were not particularly memorable and service average.

Personally I prefer Guillaume at Bennelong or Quay for a special occasion.

I found Quay (at a function, so set menu) to be kind of interesting the way say Jackson Pollock art is interesting- but I wouldn't say the food tasted particularly good.