BLAQ Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Blackheath

It was a nice atmosphere to dine in, the price was overall on the pricey side but that's what we expect from a place like this. These were the dishes we ordered Entreè Scallops - nicely cooked and good flavour. I enjoyed the texture of the condiments. 4/5 Croquet - it is overall a bit mushy in the middle as I was expecting some level of texture from the leek but the flavour is good. 3/5 Chorizo - has a really nice zing to it, very appetising. 4/5

Mains Pork belly - a bit of a let-down as for pork belly we were expecting the crackling to be crispy. I feel as if it had been left on the counter for some time where the skin steamed slightly and became a but soggy. Either that or I am missing the point of this dish. The salad was not exciting, and the blood sausage is slightly chewy which I feel does not contribute to the dish. The plus was the apple and dill gel which gave it a bit of freshness, but could use more acidity. If the cut has a better fat to meat ratio as well it could help too. 2/5

Beef - decent portion size and the mash was good. I feel as if the Jus could be a bit more sharp so that it can add to the flavour a bit. The broccolini is also slightly tough but luckily it is not fibrous. I feel that if it was sous vide steak with a high heat flash sear it would elevate the dish a bit more. Not an exciting dish but overall not bad. 3/5

Side - Truffle mac and cheese- very well done dish, it was the warmest dish out of all which is saying something. 5/5

Dessert Panna Cotta- a very well done dish as well, good coconut and mango flavour on a bed of strawberry jam (unsure of what the name of that component is called). I feel that the sorbet could be more smooth so that it can achieve the football look too with better mouth feel. 4/5

Service is super quick, and staff is friendly. I want this place to do well so hopefully some points can...

The food, service and atmosphere are all a five star for me! We stayed for dinner on a Friday night and then breakfast on Saturday morning and it was absolutely incredible. The staff were happy and bubbly and were extremely helpful. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a wonderful time. The food was gorgeous. Locally sourced ingredients combined with the restaurants very own freshly grown veggies makes a pairing that is out of this world! The team also do incredible job with the atmosphere. It has nice music playing in the background, not too loud, but not too soft, loud enough for you to hear it but not at the point where it bothers or interrupts the conversation. The fireplaces in the restaurant make it extra cozy and romantic and makes it nice and comfortable, especially during winter.

No one really ever comments on the seating or tables, which I thought were comfortable and relaxing to sit in. The colouring of the tables made a fantastic contrast with the floors, walls and ceiling that adds a degree of complexity which is often difficult to manage. The lighting was also done up well and wasn't too bright nor too dim, it was just right.

This is an odd observation but my partner picked up on it... some of the window frames in the restaurant have a black cross on them which makes you feel like you are tucked away in a forest within your own little escape. The windows allowed the sun to wake up the restaurant in the morning and really showed guests what an Australian Autumn feels and looks like.

Overall, I would highly highly recommend going to Blaq whether you're staying at the hotel next door, Kyah, or travelling through the Blue Mountains or even just want a romantic dinner with your partner. It is one of the best restaurants I...

Update April 2025 - changing from 4 stars, to 2 stars *unforunately no Darcy this time around. BLAQ Restaurant Review: Such a shame on our 2nd visit and the outcome. We were hoping for better service (this time 🤞🏻). Food was good but very expensive for what you get, considering other (better) options in the Blue Mountains. We had arrived at 6.50pm (6.45pm booking) We had only been served our entrees, until 8.30pm when our mains finally arrived (after following up with the staff on what was happening). So unfortunate with the service! This place is nothing what I had hoped it to be, the first time or the second time visiting. As a local and often referring places to guests of the Blue Mountains, we won’t be back or recommending. Experience - Feb 2023. A great vibe of a place. The setting is gorgeous. I loved the interior of the restaurant and the outside is also welcoming, esp. when arriving at dusk with the mood lighting. A great rustic feel to view the huge vege patch out the back and chickens onsite. A delightful ambiance with exterior smooth music playing as you wander to the entryway. This was really lovely so my expectations were high on having an amazing experience. The food was okay. I thought as on the high end I was expecting the food to be exceptional but it was Darcy who really made the night for us. Darcy, our main waitress for the evening, was exceptional. She made us feel so welcome; her manner was fun and sophisticated. I would give this place 3 stars overall, based on what you pay for. Darcy scores...