Itza Mezza Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Sydney

Rare date night out ruined by management's flouting of smoke-free laws! A very disappointing experience as my husband and I were so excited to try out our new, local, family-friendly venue, and we love Lebanese food. Halfway through our meal (still waiting for our meat 50mins after ordering), we noticed that a group of men at the table near us (who were obviously friends of the owners) all started lighting up cigarettes. Shortly after this, another person at the table next to us started smoking. We were shocked since NSW smoke-free legislation has been in place for outdoor commercial dining areas since 2015, and indoor commercial dining areas long before. I approached a waitress to ask her to ask the other patrons to stop smoking. I was then referred on to one of the managers. He informed me that the whole undercover, walled in, outdoor area we were eating in (which includes a kids' playground) was their 'designated smoking area', and if we had a problem with it we needed to move inside. I was shocked! I quoted the legislation which says indoor and outdoor commercial dining areas must be smoke free, even up to 4m outside of the entrance to the dining area. The manager said that it was a private property and they weren't under council law, and had checked with their landlord, so it was ok (what a joke!!!). I replied that it was not a council law but, in fact, a NSW Health law which applies to all commercial venues. He did not back down and repeated that if we had a problem with it, we could be moved inside. I told him that I would be making a complaint to NSW Health and he was still completely unapologetic and unworried about his stance.

After plucking up the courage to speak out in the first place, I was shocked and utterly embarrassed to be treated in this way and to have to move inside to finish our meal (where we could still smell smoke by the way)! They obviously care more about their mates' desire to smoke than their other customers' rights to a smoke-free venue, and were completely unapologetic about their intentions to flout the law and let people smoke there. The ashtrays on the tables should have been a giveaway from he start, however, my husband and I naively thought that they were for putting our olive pips in since smoking in such venues is ILLEGAL! Ha! How wrong we were.

It is such as shame as the decor is wonderful, the outdoor courtyard space is beautiful, the servers were delightful and very attentive, and the the food was pretty good...until this incident ruined our experience entirely. Somehow, we were stupid enough to pay for our meal. Shock I guess. I will be making a complaint to NSW Health (and urge others to) in the hope that the owners can be educated on the legislation and improve the outcome for future patrons and the health of all (including their poor staff forced to work in that area). I hope they didn't spit...

Food was good but the overall experience was so appalling that we will never go back. I booked for lunch on Mother’s Day. We turned up (2 adults & 3 kids) to find that it was a $55 per person banquet that no-one had told me about when I booked (if they had I probably wouldn’t have gone ahead with it). We felt we’d been ambushed and on principle would have left, but they’d taken my credit card number upon booking & told me that if we cancelled we’d be charged. Apparently “many customers” were similarly surprised so it wasn’t just us. I said I was worried we couldn’t eat that much food & it would be wasted (we’re pretty light eaters) and they said not to worry because kids would be half price. We waited for ages for someone to take our ‘order’ (even though they’d just told us there was no option except the banquet). I asked if there was any vegetarian option as 2 of us are vegetarian. The first waitress told us there wasn’t but the dips were vegetarian. Then later another came and told us there was. Later again a different one came and told us we couldn’t order just one banquet. I didn’t understand what she was talking about, because all I’d said was that we had 2 adults & 3 kids, 2 of whom were vegetarian. Then another turned up with our food and shooed her away. By this stage we were totally confused and not really enjoying the experience. The food was tasty but there was FAR too much of it. At one stage one of the wait staff said “You could have just ordered 3 banquets rather than 5” - What? Why did no-one tell us that was an option when we said we thought it was going to be too much food?! When we left I was presented with a bill for $235. I asked how it could be that much when we had 2 adults and 3 half-price kids. Apparently it was something to do with some of us wanting vegetarian but no-one had explained it would change the price. They ended up taking one child off the bill so it was ‘only’ $200. Some of the wait staff were lovely and apologetic but overall it was a really...

Itza Bar and Grill at Emu Plains: "I recently dined at Itza Bar and Grill at Emu Plains, and I wanted to share my feedback with you. Overall, I had an outstanding experience and thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

First and foremost, the food at Itza Bar and Grill was exceptional. Every dish I ordered was prepared to perfection, bursting with flavor, and made with high-quality ingredients. The menu offered a wide variety of options to suit different tastes, and I appreciated the creativity and attention to detail in each dish. It was evident that the chef and kitchen staff at Itza Bar and Grill take great pride in their work.

Moreover, I was impressed with the prompt service and efficiency of the staff. From the moment I walked into Itza Bar and Grill, I was warmly greeted and promptly seated. Throughout the evening, the waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and accommodating. They ensured that our drinks were refilled promptly, and they were always available to answer any questions we had about the menu.

I also want to mention that the ambiance of Itza Bar and Grill was delightful. The décor was tasteful and created a warm and inviting atmosphere. The lighting was just right, striking a balance between being cozy and allowing for a comfortable dining experience. It was evident that the ambiance at Itza Bar and Grill was carefully considered to enhance the overall dining experience.

Lastly, I was impressed by the option to take away the leftover food from Itza Bar and Grill. It allowed me to enjoy the delicious dishes at home and minimize food waste. It's a thoughtful touch that sets Itza Bar and Grill apart.

Based on my experience at Itza Bar and Grill at Emu Plains, I will definitely be returning in the near future. I have already started recommending Itza Bar and Grill to my friends and colleagues, urging them to experience the exceptional food and service for themselves.

Thank you to the entire team at Itza...