Farmgate Restaurant Nowra — Restaurant in Nowra

UPDATE: In response to the owners reply. We were not offered a replacement sauce, but the sauce is irrelevant, you say that the sauce wasn't charged to us, as if you have done this amazing favor for us, THERE WAS CARDBOARD IN THE SAUCE rightfully so we shouldn't have been charged for it, the fact that you didn't even offer an apology and assumed that we had planted it there is enough to warrant this review and response. You mention in your reply about how the dollar value is significantly less than $300, $260 is not "significantly less" than the estimated value! When asked how our meals were and we said that they were below the standard of previous visits, maybe not in those words but it was still said regardless, you stood there and just brushed it off as if your restaurants food couldn't possibly serve below standard food from time to time, you didn't want the feedback and was very nonchalant about it. Yes, we took the food that we paid for home as would anyone else who has paid for a meal, we weren't going to just leave it there. Yes, i had a 'sneaky' vape on the deck but that is also irrelevant, we were outside and away from other diners, there are no signs saying we couldn't vape out there, you asked me not to do it and I didn't do it again. When we arrived we weren't greeted, our table wasn't set and when we ordered our drinks they took an astronomical amount of time to come out (this is what i meant about slow service). I have not said anything untrue, and I do believe that this place has huge potential, but if this is how paying customers are treated and are not felt like they are welcome back, then I won't support their business. In your response you have made it very clear that we are not welcome back, and that's fine, but take some responsibility and accountability of the services you are supplying. If you can't take some criticism and feel the need to write a passive aggressive response in such a way that you make yourself out to be the 'good guy' who hasn't done anything wrong and to make yourself feel better, then go right ahead. It's upsetting because we actually enjoy this place, and to be treated poorly at the restaurant and on here is disappointing. If this is how the owner wants to handle this situation, than that's unfortunate.

ORIGINAL POST: Paid $300 for dinner for 2, service was slow, food was average, honest feedback was given to the chefs wife/co-owner about the meals and was quickly brushed off with a "no one else has complained about the food" and was made to feel very awkward and uncomfortable for the remainder of our stay there. Found cardboard in my meal and it was quickly dismissed with a "we don't use anything that would have that" and it was made as if I put it there. No accountability what so ever, no sorry, no nothing. Big fella that served us was an absolute legend and very nice to us(sorry i dont know your name but thank you for being nice), young chick was as inviting as a piss soaked blanket on a hot summer day, and the female owner was not interested in helping at all, she just laughed at the situation and was happy to take our money.

Just want to let people know about our experience and how we were treated and how we are just genuinely upset with how it was handled. Expect to have your money taken with no guarantee that the food is not going to come with a surprise or is worth the dollar value you are about to pay. This place has so much potential, it's just a shame how they treat...

Sensationally fresh food, friendly and family style services and a welcoming atmosphere.

From the get go our family of 3 was warmly welcomed, with our 5yo getting a personal greeting and invite to see the pizza oven which he loved. The specials board was brought to our table which added a very friendly touch.

Fish soup with grilled bread as entree assured that this was a promising joint. The fresh and punchy flavours of blackfish with fresh root vegetables and mini pasta woke out tastebuds. The bread that was served with it was chargrilled to warm my heart.

My main event was the ribs special, cooked in a sweet spicy sticky dry rub and tender without being overcooked. This was served with a whole chargrilled corn cob, fresh pickled cucumbers and baked mac&cheese. The mac&cheese was a bit dry, and I'd probably have preferred perhaps a green apple slaw or something to balance, but the dish overall was flavorful and very tasty.

My husbands main event, which was the highlight of the evening, was the prawn and lobster ravioli. This was THE BEST seafood ravioli I have tasted.The pasta was fresh and the bite was just right . The sauce was intense and packed with umami, and the prawns were cooked to perfection. I have now tasted a real ravioli!

All the staff were very friendly, and they let our 5 year old look into the pizza oven to see his mini pizza being made. Kids meal comes with a juice and ice cream, and they have colouring to entertain the little ones.

Prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food that was made by people who cared. The food will speak for itself.

We didn't expect such a fabulous meal. We thanked the chef for the amazing food and in particular the ravioli. His response was "i told ya!". Yes, you should be very very proud. I'm going to be raving about you guys when I get home to Sydney

For anyone visiting nowra, this place is not to be...

My review is not defamation, as everything written is true.

Defamation is the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person, place or thing that results in damage to its reputation.

Wow. Just wow. Will never be going back after this rude encounter.

I’ve been to this restaurant 4 times since it’s opening. 3 of those times were with a booking. All of those times I’ve had good food, and fair good service.

None of those times have I had to leave a $20/person deposit for a booking, or any other restaurant in the Shoalhaven.

Well, this time I was told I had to give my details over the phone to be able to make a booking. I wasn’t expecting that so I didn’t have my card on me, and I didn’t exactly feel comfortable with that. So I left it, booked at another restaurant as suggested so kindly on their website.

Come 9pm the next day, I get quite a rude phone call saying that they were still expecting us for a non-existent booking 3 hours prior, after being told a booking could not be made.

Mind you, with all of places being hacked and details being leaked… it does not say AT ALL on their website how they are handling those details, even if you book online, I could not find a single policy.

I understand why the ‘rule’ exists, but it was my understand that a booking wasn’t made, so this 9pm brunt attitude was out of line. I will not be giving my card details to an Italian steakhouse restaurant in the Shoalhaven, especially over the phone.

Wishing you well on your...