Bistro Nido — Restaurant in Sydney

With all the amazing restaurants across Sydney, especially those of a similar calibre to Bistro Nido, choosing to dine here was one of the worst decisions we’ve made, and anyone can make. The pricing is steep (understandable given industry challenges), but the ambiance, cramped in a busy Regents Place alley, is awful for a venue of this type. Worst of all, the service was the most disappointing I’ve experienced in Sydney, compounded by management’s atrocious response both during our meal and after, via their reply to my dining partner’s review.

On what was a quiet night (with over 75 percent of the restaurant empty), we ordered and waited over 50 minutes with no food. No water top ups, no updates. When we asked our waitress, she admitted she forgot to place our order and it would only now begin, over an hour after we sat. She was clearly sincere, and we understood her limited English made things difficult. But when we asked how long it would take, she couldn’t answer. We had to get up and flag down the manager ourselves.

The manager was blunt and dismissive. She brushed it off, citing the waitress’ poor English, and told us curtly the food would be made now. She offered a brief, insincere apology and showed no concern. When we asked for a time estimate, she casually repsonded, “It depends,” explaining cook times like we were clueless. She said crudo would take 10 to 15 minutes, steak up to 40 due to the course by course nature of the food. As a worker in culinary hospitality, I know this is nonsense bs. Kitchens, particularly experienced ones in high need restaurants like this can expedite orders, especially in situations like this. It would be unacceptable in any restaurant, but especially a high end one to leave a table that had been forgotten to wait for their food being cooked course by course, one after the other. But no sincere apology, no offer to help, no complimentary item. Just rudeness and indifference. So, we left.

Then, in response to my friend’s review, management lied. They claimed we were offered a complimentary item which we declined. That is a complete fabrication. We eat out regularly annd understand mistakes even significant ones happen, and would’ve accepted a sincere apology and maybe a small gesture. But nothing was offered. Whether the manager misrepresented things or upper management twisted the story, it was clearly to frame us as malicious slanderers, which is shocking coming from one of Sydney’s most established corporate restaurant groups. Including CCTV timestamps in replies is just a manipulative move to cast doubt on patrons and avoid accountability. What respectable restaurant group does that to every critical review they get? Lets be honest it’s not because they care about improving, it’s just to show ‘evidence’ in public view to shift the blame away from them.

In short: we were left waiting 50 plus minutes due to an honest mistake, which we accepted. But the manager’s rudeness, lack of care, and the restaurant’s dishonest public response turned this into one of Sydney’s worst dining experiences. PLEASE SAVE YOUR MONEY, TIME, AND PATIENCE AND DINER LITERALLY ANYWHERE ELSE.

(It’s a shame because we were truly looking forward to eating there, the food...

Worst service ever. We entered at 6:30 for a dinner and got seated. Waitress who took our order was new and couldn’t speak english very well, so we ended up waiting till 7:30 for our food only to find out she hadn’t put it through- we waited for an hour. Though this is quiet unprofessional and annoying from a customer’s perspective the waitress profusely apologised, and was clearly upset about her mistake, so we understood. The problem with the service was not the waitress but the manager. Lady with the white coat and fur lapels, I remember you very clearly. Not once when we walked in, or when we got seated did she greet or serve us, but she was very quick to serve the table of 4 middle-aged ladies next to us. After the waitress who messed up our order told her about the mistake, she didn’t come to immediately apologise or deal with the situation, but carried on with her work. It was only when we asked again, how long the food was going to take, that she addressed the situation. In the most insincere and blunt way possible, she said a very cold sorry. When asked about when our food was going to arrive, she literally said, “Well…it depends. It’s a course meal so one could take 10 minutes, another could take longer and come later.” Absolute bs. Whether food comes out as a course or all at once is the restaurant’s decision they can ask the customer about. All we wanted was an estimated time taken to cook the food because we were hungry and annoyed at how long we were waiting without any order going through. When we asked if we could leave as the kitchen was just notified of the order, she was like “okay, sure, you can leave” and cancelled the order. The waitress made a very unprofessional mistake of forgetting to notify the kitchen of an order and keeping customers waiting for an hour, but at least she was sincere and clearly very apologetic in her response, which made us bear our annoyance and discomfort somewhat. But the manager’s completely unapologetic, ignorant and cold response totally aggravated our emotions and ruined the dining experience. For a restaurant with high ratings that is borderline fine dining, we expected much more and were very disappointed. Never coming here again, and would advise everyone to do the same

EDIT: Hello everyone! Please ignore the blatant lies from the reply below. We were not offered ANY complimentary item as a gesture of goodwill. If we had been offered one, we would have considered staying. The staff said they checked the CCTV. Well then I wonder why they omitted the part about me having to get out of my seat and go over to the counter to speak to the manager first.

First they provide unprofessional service, then they lie in their response in the public reviews to make it seem like they are holding accountability for their actions. Avoid this restaurant...

In the heart of Sydney lies a gastronomic gem, Bistro Nido, helmed by the delightful Zach. This unique dining destination celebrates an elegant fusion of Japanese and French cuisine, a combination that not only intrigues but impresses to the highest degree. After my recent visit, I am convinced that it offers the best culinary experience in Sydney.

The standout dish for me was the Roasted Duck Breast with Grapes. Prepared to absolute perfection, the duck was nothing short of divine. The skin provided a captivating crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, succulent meat within. The interplay of textures was a journey unto itself. Adding to the indulgence was the expertly rendered layer of fat that imparted a luxurious depth of flavour. The sweet and tangy grapes cut through the rich fattiness, offering a beautiful balance that made every bite an absolute delight.

Zach, the host and driving force behind Bistro Nido, was instrumental in making the evening an exceptional one. His keen eye for detail, extensive knowledge of the fusion cuisine, and ability to curate a stunning parade of dishes ensured an unforgettable dining experience. His suggestions were on point, helping us explore an array of dishes that married the sophistication of French cuisine with the subtlety of Japanese flavours.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of Bistro Nido is its impeccable service. The staff was courteous, professional, and well-versed with the menu. They attended to us promptly, ensuring our glasses were never empty and our culinary journey seamless. The high standard of service greatly enriched the dining experience.

Bistro Nido’s warm ambiance complements the magnificent cuisine. The space beautifully blends a casual bistro-style setting with a touch of sophistication, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages diners to relax and enjoy their meal.

Though I left Bistro Nido satiated to the brim, there was a longing to return. The fusion of French and Japanese culinary arts, coupled with an exemplary level of service and a warm, welcoming environment, creates an irresistible lure that promises another outstanding meal upon...