Criniti's Parramatta — Restaurant in Sydney

Made a reservation for my wife's Birthday for Saturday night. Initially was 18 ppl but we had some last minute cancellations and the list went down to 14, which we advised as soon as we arrived to the restaurant (before our family and friends arrived).

Before all the food arrived, I told the waiter to please ensure the pizza had no onions and olives as my wife hates them and it was her birthday, so I wanted to make sure she was happy. After we received our entrees and pastas, the waiter came to me and apologised because the kitchen forgot to remove the onions and olives from the pizza but they were going to make a new one for us if we could wait another 10 minutes (which I was happy to wait because the pasta was really filling and we needed a break). After the 10 minutes, the pizza arrive with olives all around it, so I told the waiter in a good way (as it wasn't his fault) to please double check because we told him no olives/no onions from the beginning. He apologised again, picked up the pizza and sent it back to the kitchen. A couple of minutes later the pizza returned and it was obvious they just removed the olives from the top, even forgetting some on the process, instead of making a new one. At this point, I was already stressed and didn't want to make a scene out of it, so I just left it.

Once we finished our food, I saw the waiter bringing my partner's cake with the candles, so I started recording, but they ended up putting the cake on someone else's table and singing Happy Birthday to that group (using my wife's cake). I could see the other table's faces and they were obviously confused and embarrassed. Once the waiters realised their mistake, they quickly picked up the cake and didn't even say something to us. After waiting for a while, I had to stand up and ask them to bring the cake to us (hoping it was the correct one).

After all this mistakes I was already frustrated and stressed, but just wanted to get out of there. The cherry on top was when I went to pay and they told me we had to pay for the 18 ppl I initially reserved instead of the 14 ppl that were on the table. I lost it. I'm not one to argue but after all the mistakes they made, I was expecting at least a discount or a voucher to make our life's a bit happier, but they only option they gave us was to remove the drinks ($40) from the bill and pay the rest. I was able to reduce a couple of ppl because there were 2 kids (less than 5 y/o) and they also wanted to charge them for the food, so I ended up paying for 16 ppl (when only 14 ppl were eating), with our cake given to someone else, and out pizzas wrongly made. What a deal.

If you have a birthday celebration or an event, please find another place. Never coming...

I tried calling to make a reservation for dinner yesterday night but after no one answering the phone for a very long time I decided to make the reservation online. It was for 3 adults, I specifically requested outdoor seating & a pram space. We arrived on time & saw that all the outside tables were taken. When I told the waiter (a young man) that we were here for our booking he went to take us inside. I told him the booking was specifically for outdoor seating because of the pram - outdoor is more spacious & keeps my daughter calm - he told me there’s no space, I told him this is why I made a booking hours in advance, he then offered us a tiny 2 person table & said he can put an extra chair. I said that won’t work for 3 adults & a pram and he just shrugged his shoulders. We were then seated inside by the door however had to put the pram between our table & the front of house desk & all night had staff lean over the pram to collect menus for other diners. We ordered 2 sirloin steaks at $46 a plate both were supposed to be medium. After waiting an exceptionally long time our plates came out & the sirloin was essentially just a thick slab of overcooked dry meat. Not at all what’s shown on the online menu. Any time I’ve had sirloin it’s been a cut that is not too thin & not too thick, allowing for an even sear outside & inside. I have never seen sirloin this thick & most of it was bone & cartilage. The steak that’s shown on the online menu is what it should look like. Being such a thick piece of meat we asked for proper steak knives as the knives on the table were butter knives with a slightly serrated edge. The waitress told us they had “run out” of steak knives but that she’ll check for us. She never came back. We also ordered a Mediterranean salad and chips - the steaks came with “seasonal veggies” which are just steamed broccolini, beans, carrot & capsicum , any salad or chips is additional cost. The online menu also shows chips on the side. Not veggies - the salad which was mostly mixed greens out of a bag and a bowl of chips were $33. $137 dollars for 2 people got us poor service, dry meat, overpriced bagged greens & no knives

I suggest management reconsider their booking system & menu size. Why have a booking system if you’re not going to follow through? And If you can’t deliver consistency in quality across your menu you’re better off keeping it small & doing it well. I would also suggest speaking with your staff about their body language & general attitude when engaging with customers.

Chip sauce was...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Criniti's in Parramatta, and I must say, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Criniti's reputation for serving exceptional Italian cuisine was truly exemplified in the remarkable Woodfire Pizza that I had the pleasure of enjoying.

The Woodfire Pizza at Criniti's was a culinary masterpiece that left an indelible mark on my taste buds. From the moment the aroma of the wood-fired crust reached my senses, I knew I was in for a treat. The thin, crispy crust that bore the unmistakable smokiness from the woodfire oven was the perfect canvas for an array of top-quality ingredients that came together in perfect harmony.

The toppings on the Woodfire Pizza were a testament to Criniti's commitment to using the finest and freshest ingredients. The generous portions of melted cheese, perfectly seasoned grilled chicken, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant spinach created a symphony of flavors that delighted my palate with each bite. The balance between the ingredients showcased the expertise of the culinary team, ensuring that no single flavor overwhelmed the others.

What impressed me even more was the attention to detail that was evident in every aspect of the pizza. The precise layering of ingredients, the expertly timed baking process in the woodfire oven that resulted in a golden and slightly charred crust, and the thoughtful presentation all contributed to a dining experience that was not only visually appealing but also a delight to savor.

The ambiance of Criniti's Parramatta further enhanced the experience. The restaurant exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal setting for a memorable dining occasion. The staff's professionalism and knowledge of the menu added to the overall enjoyment of the evening. Their attentiveness and willingness to accommodate individual preferences ensured that every guest felt truly taken care of.

In a city where Italian cuisine is cherished, Criniti's in Parramatta stands out as a true gem. The Woodfire Pizza that I had the pleasure of savoring was a testament to their dedication to providing an unparalleled culinary experience. Whether you're a connoisseur of Italian cuisine or simply a lover of great food, a visit to Criniti's is a must. The Woodfire Pizza alone is worth the visit, promising a journey of flavors that will leave you craving more. Criniti's has truly mastered the art of creating an unforgettable dining adventure that will linger in your memory long after...