Sunset Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Cable Beach

I visited here last year - off-season - and was somewhat unimpressed. So decided not to review the place. I've come back this year in June, peak season (it runs from April to October), expecting a better result.

I came here yesterday for coffee. Tha same waitress walked past be five times before I decided to ask for help at the counter. Fortunately Vesh, the apparently new manager, has a fine dining background in some top resorts around the world - and it shows, as he was on it immediately. Which begs the question - what the hell is he doing here? I ended up getting a coffee, asked the ignorant waitress for sugar "it's on your table" was the rude-toned response; it wasn't by the way (see photo).

Anyway, returned today with the intention of having breakfast. A helpful waitress today, but obviously short-staffed as manager Vesh became barista; kinda happy about that, as at least the coffee was decent. I pilfered some sugar from a table across the room for my cappuccino (none at mine yet again). Just a suggestion: if you're going to serve small, compact sachets of raw sugar, don't leave it out in these conditions - it turns into a sweet glue (see additional photo).

As you can imagine, I skipped breakfast (hence no dining rating). Vesh and today's waitress were great, but aside from that the entire staff were a bunch of backpackers running around like headless chickens.

The two stars for service is, bluntly, kind; the three for atmosphere mainly down to the stunning view, as all the other customers looked as frustrated and forlorn as I.

Beautiful setting, but that alone does not a five star...

What a shame!

We have been visiting this place every year for 5 years, because the food was always good and the view was even better.

This year, we bought our fur baby. Before taking a seat, I checked with a staff member if we could sit out the front and have pizza. The staff member checked with another staff member, who checked with another and the answer was yes. (Meanwhile there were other dogs out the front but I always check before sitting down).

The food came, and as we were in the middle of eating, a gentleman came up to us, to state “dogs are not permitted on the premises”.

I explained I’d asked three staff members and confirmed they even bought a bucket of water for us.

He pointed at his badge and said “but did you ask me, the manager”.

I asked him if anyone had complained about us having our dog and he confirmed no, but confirmed he had heard our dog bark (he pointed to his ears when confirming this).

Well, our dog may have barked because all the patrons sat around were fussing over her and loving her and at that stage “the manager” heard her.

Such a shame, we’ll never go back with an attitude like that and it’s your responsibility “manager” to educate your staff.

As we left, further patrons sat down, with dogs.

I wonder how they were treated??

Note - we accept if dogs are not allowed, and if I hadn’t have checked before hand, it would have been my fault, but we did everything right and we do not accept being treated so poorly, spoken to with an attitude and having to leave when we were...

If you ask me if I want water and DO NOT tell me that it is $6.50 a bottle... and by bottle, an obviously generic glass bottle that you have filled from the tap and then charged me $6.50 each (3 in total) when I have gone to pay the bill. Instant 1 star. It pisses me off when restaurants do this. Tell me up front so I can politely decline and stick to something else. MOST restaurants give still water for free... actual joke you dishonestly charge people $6.50 for this.

The food here I will admit was delicious. However.... just an utter rip off. $24 for 2 prawns for an entree... are you kidding me ? We decided to share our entrees but simply wasn't enough to go around. I ordered the Vindaloo Rib. I asked the waitress if it came with any sides or if it was just the rib and the condiments as per the menu, she told me it came with the grilled veggies as mentioned from the grill... excellent. Did it come with the veggies ? no. I asked her if they were coming and she pointed to a condiment on my plate and said "that's them". I pointed to my mates steak who clearly had the grilled veggies to clarify but she laughed and said I don't get them ??? what ??? so essentially I paid $42 for just a rib... given I buy ribs and cook beef ribs at home all the time this is just horrid value.

At this point we weren't willing to order dessert... nearly $250 later and all of us still hungry we went to a different establishment where we shared pizzas and...