Jacksons on George — Restaurant in Sydney

After a lunch with the girls, two of us excitably suggested trying out the revamped Jacksons on George for last drinks. I had seen plenty of social media about the reopening and was keen to try the sunset session on the deck. We got there just before 5pm (when the deck opens) so took a seat downstairs, inside. This downstairs bar is attractive, with plenty of space to wait to be served and there was an interesting mix of clientele - younger, older, groups and couples. Had a nice conversation with another girl waiting at the bar, so it was definitely a friendly vibe. I was not in love with the layout of the seating on the outside - it just feels a bit like everyone is on top of each other and while this may be picky I did feel that having the decorations for Valentines Day still up on the 17th of February felt a tiny bit lazy, though maybe they all just love love. As soon as we noticed people going up to the deck we followed - happy to take the stairs, much quicker than the lift and we were welcomed by a lovely lady who directed us to a nice area overlooking the view. We ordered a second drink - which I will say were all well served, reasonably priced and I was happy not to have to wait long to be served at any point. The deck is attractive, good view of the surrounding skyscrapers but could possibly be enhanced by some kind of cooling feature in the humid Sydney air. I came away with a general feeling that the entire space seems cramped compared to the old Jacksons. The DJ seemed a bit more there for her look rather than any kind of musical note - the music itself was forgettable but perhaps that’s the point - it’s unobtrusive and doesn’t impinge on your conversation but I regret that the music didn’t set more of a mood when it is being advertised as a big draw card to the rooftop area. It’s an ok bar, not sure I’d bother going out of my way to visit again, but if I happened to be in that location again...

The newly reopened Jackson on George welcomed us with an air of freshness, reflecting its recent renovation. The ambiance struck a balance between casual and elegant, making it an ideal spot for a lunch break. The staff deserve a special mention for their friendliness and efficiency. They were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our orders were taken and served promptly, which was greatly appreciated as we had to return to work.

Food: Chicken Caesar Salad and House Drink Special ($25): One of my colleagues opted for Wednesday's special. While the pricing was attractive, the salad unfortunately missed the mark on the classic Caesar Salad taste. The absence of key ingredients like anchovies, bacon, and eggs was noticeable, leading to a slightly underwhelming experience.

Cheeseburger with Shoestring Fries: My choice was their Cheeseburger, paired with Shoestring fries. This dish was the highlight of the meal. The burger boasted a perfectly flame-grilled meat patty encased in a soft, brioche bun – a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The fries were a great accompaniment, crispy and well-seasoned.

Beverage - Schooner of Balter XPA: To complement my meal, I chose the Balter XPA. It was a refreshing choice, enhancing the overall dining experience with its crisp and aromatic notes.

Conclusion: Jackson on George made a positive impression with its quick service and delicious offerings, particularly the cheeseburger. While there was a minor letdown with the Caesar Salad, the overall experience was enjoyable. The efficient service enabled us to savor our lunch without worrying about time, making it a suitable option for workday lunches. I look forward to exploring more of their menu in...

We booked into the Bistro (2nd floor) for the 6pm Pre Theatre sitting and menu. While the bottom floor on a Thursday night is very noisy as soon as we entered the 2nd floor it was serenely quiet!

Greeted by friendly staff who took our bags and wet umbrellas and we were quickly at a table with nice views out to the city. The Pre Theatre menu is $70 with a choice of 3 starters and 3 mains and while limited due to its nature the range was good.

An extensive wine and cocktail list. A nice little detail (that was noticed) my martini came with a little side plate for the olives. The quality of the drinks was excellent.

Starters came promptly and between us, we had all three. A quick tasting of each others confirmed all were delicious and quite generous in size. I had the salmon which was sensational.

My friends had the steak as as the owner of a butchery I was impressed with the quality and a perfect medium rare on both. Well done there - I rarely eat steak at restaurants and if it is on the menu next time - I will be having it. My roast chicken was full of flavor. Our only minor issue would be the menu had no vegetables as a side option, perhaps we should have asked about that. That being said the portions were again very generous.

The service team was super friendly and helpful all the way through the meal and we left (with plenty of time spare for an 8 pm show) very happy. And I did notice that my used olive dish was quietly removed - whomever is training the staff knows great discreet customer service.

My final thoughts are that for the $70 starter and main, great location, quality and portion of food, and exceptional service this was a really good experience and...