Kiln — Restaurant in Sydney

Title: Kiln: A Gastronomic Adventure Beyond Expectations

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Prepare to embark on a remarkable culinary journey at Kiln, a restaurant that redefines the meaning of exceptional dining experiences. Nestled in a charming setting, Kiln offers an array of delectable delights that will leave you in awe. Allow me to share my unforgettable dining experience, where the oysters and rib eye steak took center stage and left me yearning for more.

Kiln's oysters are an absolute revelation. From the first bite, I knew I had stumbled upon something extraordinary. Each oyster was a testament to the sea's treasures, boasting a freshness and flavor that transported me to coastal paradises. The briny essence was perfectly balanced, enhancing the natural taste of these delicacies. Kiln's dedication to sourcing the finest oysters shone through, as every shellfish was meticulously chosen to deliver an unparalleled dining experience. If you consider yourself an oyster aficionado, Kiln is an absolute must-visit.

Now, let's talk about the rib eye steak, a true masterpiece that has forever altered my perception of culinary excellence. Kiln's rib eye is a prime example of culinary perfection. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with robust and savory flavors made each bite a revelation. The marbling on the steak was a sight to behold, resulting in a mouthwatering juiciness that was unparalleled. It was as if every element of this dish was designed to create an orchestra of flavors that danced on my taste buds. The suggestion of turning these tantalising juices into a cocktail is a stroke of genius, as it would undoubtedly elevate the dining experience to new heights.

Beyond the extraordinary dishes, the staff at Kiln truly made the experience magical. Their warm and friendly demeanor, coupled with their extensive knowledge of the menu, made me feel like a cherished guest. They were attentive, accommodating, and went above and beyond to ensure a memorable evening. Kiln's commitment to exceptional service further enhanced the overall dining experience, leaving me with a sense of fulfillment and contentment.

In conclusion, Kiln is a culinary gem that should not be missed. With its heavenly oysters and a rib eye steak that defies expectations, this restaurant takes gastronomy to a whole new level. The combination of flavors, the attention to detail, and the friendly ambiance create an unforgettable experience for any food enthusiast. Whether you're seeking an exquisite seafood journey or a carnivorous delight, Kiln is the perfect destination. Prepare to be amazed, as Kiln will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on both your taste buds...

The food was delicious, and the waitress was lovely. However, I came away disappointed and unhappier than I would have liked on my birthday.

Firstly, I feel that the music volume and choice seriously detracted from the experience that is trying to be delivered here. And unfortunately that's coming from a fan of the genre the DJ was playing. It took me a while to put my finger on it, mostly because I was bopping along to the tunes, but the price point of the small portions, combined with the "so dim you can't read the menu" lighting just don't combine with loud DJ hip-hop. I think it would have been a much more enjoyable experience with something softer or a slightly lower volume. I struggled to hear my waitress and my partner who was sat next to me, which felt more on-par with a menu about half the price of what was on offer. It just wasn't the experience I was expecting for the dining price point, and felt more conducive to a casual fusion bar. The couple next to us seemed to feel the same as us and left before they ordered as the atmosphere did not suite the menu and its price point.

When booking, I ticked the box that said birthday, as well as adding our dietary requirements (vegetarian + an allergy), and mentioned again that it was my birthday. I expected that, as the booking asked for this information, it would have been taken into consideration and treated with a little sparkle for the special day. Perhaps even given a nice table by the window?

Upon arrival, not once was my birthday mentioned, and not once were our dietary requirements acknowledged. We were walked through some options that we couldn't eat before mentioning our requirements, which would be expected had we not pre-filled this information on the booking. I chose to spend my birthday with Kiln, spent more than I would on a general dinner, and would have liked at least an acknowledgment, a "happy birthday", a view, anything. But rather I was sat in a seat with absolutely no view, under a far too loud speaker, and paid more than you should like for a single bite of mushroom, despite how delicious it was.

Lastly, 7% gratuity is added to the bill by default, which is fine and I'm happy to pay the default 7%, no complaints there. However, upon payment, the eftpos machine asks for a tip, which feels forced and insulting.

Overall, Kiln feels like it's aiming for something that it's not quite sure of, and is getting confused and lost me in the process.

With all that said, this is in no way a bad review of the food or the waitress who served us, however I did expect a better overall experience from such a "hot" and...

Birthday dinner with the whole fam, niece and all. Expectations high quality wise...thanks GFG 2023 and price wise, thanks inflation :)

The entrance is inconspicuous, down a dodgy laneway between two busy streets with a Shady Pines Saloon style fire escape (check this out if you haven't yet). Take the lift up 18 floors and you can see why this place is so highly regarded, Ace view with funky recycled interior design touches.

Service really kicks into gear as soon as you hop out the lift, warm hostess and greeting by the wait staff, full welcoming committee and all the fun stuff for my two year old niece and an extremely thoughtful and detailed waitress for the evening. Really set the tone by not just memorising initial drinks orders, but asking what the occasion was for and explaining each dish in vivid detail with recommendations on her favourites based on flavour and also how much we should be ordering for six people.

Food summary: Bread: Not usually worthy of a mention, but it was honestly phenomenal, I think we got 4 servings in the end. Crunchy exterior with soft warm and pillowy brown bread insides, great for soaking all the yummy sauces. Jatz: Initial perception, I can buy these at Woolies. After eating, I was so wrong. Combo on the jatz itself is umami as all hell, deliciously addictive. Veggie trio (Eggplants, Mushroom and Carrots): Eggplant was a standout, Mum had this as her main alone and she was not disappointed. Carrots and mushies were as expected, flavoursome and decent as an accompaniment. Seafood: Very pescatarian focused menu and you could see why, all the dishes were fantastic and different in their own way. My top was the Trout followed by the fish crudo, great balance and sauces on both. Honourable mention on the calamari, simple dish but can't deny it was tasty with a firm bite. Desserts: Hit and miss, as far as Asian style mango refreshing desserts went it was great, mopped them up in no time. Signature pop-corn dessert was conceptually decent but flavour didn't quite cut it. Dark horse: Koshihikkari rice. My niece absolutely gobbled every grain like it was the last resource left on Earth. Cheap shout I guess?

Special meal made all the more memorable with special service, pretty rare in this...