Bistro Manly — Restaurant in Sydney

For an expensive xmas lunch, this year wasn’t up to par. This review accounts for xmas - and also the general expectations of the level of restaurant this is pitched to be.

I brought my mum last year and we had a great time, the food was good, the service was great and we were in the overflow upstairs ballroom…. this year however we got in early with reasonable expectations things would be as good in the main Bistro Manly set up.

The staff were friendly enough when they came around, but aloof and clearly not experienced or trained well…. red wine was twice poured over the table and not properly wiped up. I actually had to do it myself, or the glasses would have dripped wine over us. Dropped cutlery was ignored…. I had to get up and go and fetch wine myself, also cutlery , as eye contact from staff on the floor only garnered a smile not service…. and often nobody was around.

The tables were too small this year - meaning no real estate for glasses, and the tower of food meant we couldn’t see each other across the table.

On a set menu you would hope the staff knew what things are … though ours - and another on ear shot at least - had mains brought out with crackling missing. The floor staff didn’t mention it, and when asked , didn’t know what crackling was. They went to get another floor staffer who also didn’t know what it was - even though it was featured as part of the dish on the menu. Finally a manager came to snap that “crackling was coming” as she walked past without really engaging.

When it did come, the pork and gravy was cold.

I caught the floor manager and explained there was a bit of a gap with the staff and what it was… and that- in a friendly way - she might need to keep an eye on tables looking for help as we weren’t getting it. Things didn’t get better.

There was no choice of red in the “premium” beverage package. The vixen shiraz - or the vixen shiraz. A softer pinot would have made more sense with the menu, or at least as an option. Again, when i asked what “reds were available” the staff didn’t know what “reds” are… I explained “red wine”… and they started telling me about the whites.

Not a premium experience worth the price tag.

I’d ask for a refund to be honest, only my apathy in the care shown at the seating leads me to think nobody cares...

An Exquisite Dining Experience at Manly Pacific Bistro

We had the pleasure of dining at Manly Pacific Bistro, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The atmosphere exuded an elegant fine dining charm, perfectly setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Highlights: The barramundi and Granny Smith oysters were culinary masterpieces. The barramundi was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful, while the Granny Smith oysters were a delightful surprise, offering a unique and refreshing taste that left us wanting more.

A Minor Note: I had scallops as my main, and while the scallops were slightly overcooked, it was handled gracefully, and it did not detract from our overall experience. The flavour was still delightful, and the slight imperfection was not overshadowed by the rest of the outstanding meal.

Exceptional Service: Jeremy, who has been with the bistro for an impressive 35 years, was an incredible host. His warm demeanour and extensive knowledge truly enhanced our dining experience. Jack, our waiter, was equally remarkable, attending to our every need with precision and attentiveness.

Ambience and Value: The bistro’s ambience was refined and sophisticated, making it the perfect setting for a special occasion. It is on the pricier side, but the quality of the food, exceptional service, and overall experience make it worth every penny. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and would highly recommend Manly Pacific Bistro to anyone seeking a high-end dining experience in Manly.

Thank you, Jeremy, Jack, and Manly Pacific Bistro, for a memorable night. We will...

This place has become a regular spot for us, and for good reason! We’ve been dining here for over a year now, and I can’t praise the staff enough, especially Rachael. She’s the heart of the place for us. Always welcoming, with a huge smile, she goes out of her way to make us feel special every time. She remembers our orders, engages us in warm conversations, and even acknowledges our newborn. Her personal touch truly sets this place apart.

The location is another big win—stunning views and plenty of space, perfect for a relaxed dining experience. Their coffee and drink options are great, though slightly on the pricier side, but the quality makes up for it. Oh, and the welcome bread with truffle butter? Such a lovely touch!

While we love this place, there are a couple of things that could be improved. The food quality, while generally great, can be a bit inconsistent. We usually go for the steak frites, and over time we’ve noticed that things like the portion size of the chips, salad dressing etc can vary. Sometimes the steak comes with a delicious red wine jus, sometimes it doesn’t.

Also, a little rotation on the menu would be refreshing. It hasn’t changed much in the past year, and it’d be exciting to see some new dishes.

That said, when you have impeccable service like Rachael’s, it’s easy to overlook small inconsistencies. She alone makes every visit worth it....