Bittersweet — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

If i could give zero stars i would...

In total i have been 2 times both as disappointing as the last, the first time we had extremely slow service. It was about 2-3years since i last went back and all i can say is it has gotten WORST.

I went last Sunday with 4 other friends, before my boyfriend and I arrived the others had ordered coffees about 20mins before we arrived...in another 15mins their coffees would arrive. This pattern of waiting would be the exact same when it came to the food about an 30-40min wait that is if you could get a waiter to serve you. One issue i remember them having was that they were 'low' on cutlery?? Not sure how a restaurant/cafe could be low on cutlery but alas they were, they used the excuse "oh we're very busy today”. You would think they would have enough cutlery for each table spot and spares on the side wouldn't you? I remember a table next to us waited around 10-15mins for cutlery while another literally waited 20mins to order food. By the time our food came (my boyfriend and I with out cutlery) the food at most was very average, but mine was horrid, i had ordered the banana crepes ($14). The crepes were as dry as the Sahara desert and the bananas were clearly bananas that had gone soggy and black (refer to the pictures attached)...when we went to pay we were hoping that they'd not make us pay for it but they did and just said we'll tell the cooks... Another issue this place has is the poor waiter service most of the waiters we saw were most likely older teenagers with poor training, one such such waiter was very condescending, when we went it was a very hot day so we moved into the shade, took our stuff and left the table clear for the next customers, this was fine with the other staff but this one male waiter gave us sass and judgment for it.

So if you like long waits, bad food, bad service and overall a place that will leave you with a bitter taste then this is the...

Upon entering, no one greets or acknowledges you. Left to our own devices we grab a seat and patiently wait.

After 10 minutes I stop a waiter to ask for a menu, she gives me an annoyed glance and proceeds to obtain one, not asking if I would like a drink whilst I wait.

A further 10 minutes pass, my menu folded in front of me waiting to order some food. I glance up at the couple in front of me who have been waiting longer and are clearly frustrated, trying to desperately make eye contact with any staff member (there were 6 on this day) It was 2pm midweek and the cafe was 1/4 capacity.

I get up to place my order because I’m too hungry and a lady states to have a seat she will come shortly. I order the pot pie with a coffee. At the same time the couple in front of me losing patient loudly ask if they could please order something. Guess I’m not alone.

The coffee was nice, a solid performance and no problems.

The food on the other hand was a Ramsay style nightmare. After pulling back the undercooked soggy puff pastry, the content of the “pie” consisted of a horrible broth that without exaggeration tasted like left over dishwasher juice, combined with a can of tomatoes and beef. The beef was tough and inedible. The image of a savoury, rich classic Australian melt in your mouth rich pie quickly evaporated and I was left wondering what I had don’t to insult the chief for him to serve me this. I genuinely couldn’t eat it despite being very hungry.

I truly want to support a local business but experiences like this make it hard. Even below average food when combined with warm hospitality and welcoming gestures make it more palatable. The experience left me cold and despondent and I went to another cafe in the area, after spending $24 for two mouthfuls.

I will give it one more chance on a weekend and...

Bittersweet is my preferred local cafe, a regular choice for both breakfast and lunch. Recently, proprietor Nabeen has expanded the establishment's offerings to include dinner on Wednesdays through Saturdays, featuring an enticing Italian-inspired menu.

Eager to support this small business venture, my friends and I dined there this week, and our experience left us thoroughly impressed with both the culinary offerings and service.

The menu embraces a boutique approach with a limited, yet carefully curated selection for each course—a concept I found appealing. Opting to share, we indulged in a sampling of all the starters, three mains, and both desserts. While all dishes proved commendable, the garlic prawns and burrata entrees, the house-made Gnocchi Gorgonzola, and the Tiramisu emerged as exceptional highlights for me.

The discernible freshness and high quality of ingredients, coupled with adept culinary craftsmanship, resulted in dishes that evoke the comforting embrace reminiscent of a Nonna's cooking.

Nabeen's personal touch is evident as he attends to customers himself, displaying a profound passion for both his menu and culinary artistry. Thoughtful gestures, such as offering extra parmesan or house-made chili oil during table visits, add a delightful touch to the dining experience.

I look forward to the unveiling of more seasonal menus and witnessing the continued prosperity of this establishment.

Presently operating as a BYO alcohol venue, Bittersweet is poised to enhance its offerings further, as it soon secures a license to...