Kingsleys Woolloomooloo — Restaurant in Sydney

Dined on 15/08 and it was an absolutely appalling experience. Emailed management with feedback the day after, and followed up a few days after that, but I am still yet to hear a response. I usually never leave reviews but the lack of care from management in particular is extremely disappointing.

Here is what I wrote in the email I sent - perhaps publicising our experience will elicit a response from management, since reaching out privately has clearly not worked:

I booked a table at 5.15pm for a birthday. I unfortunately mixed up the times and we did not arrive until 7.15pm - I apologised as I had not realised my mistake and said we were happy to go elsewhere if there were no more seats available. However, staff said that there was still space to accommodate us, so we were able to get a seat outdoors instead.

We waited for half an hour for our order to be taken (including drinks, so we did not even have drinking water until this point). Then, it took another half hour for our entrees to arrive.

We had also ordered two mocktails, which arrived about 15 minutes after our entrees did, after multiple attempts to flag down staff to ask about them.

Furthermore, after this, our mains did not arrive for another half an hour after this. It was past 9pm at this point. In addition, our steaks were tough and chewy. I had to leave mine unfinished - especially disappointing as I understood that Kingsley's specialty was their steak.

It was about 9.30pm when we asked for the bill as we remained conscious of the 10pm closing time, however, the bill, not brought out until about 9.45pm, along with a complimentary dessert as we were supposed to be celebrating a birthday. Obviously at this point however, we were tired, it was far too late to enjoy anything sugary and we were upset as we had to cancel the plans we had made after dinner since our meal had taken far too long. Even afterwards, it took another 10 minutes to flag a staff member down to pay for the bill itself, meaning we did not leave the restaurant until 10pm.

I want to give waitstaff the benefit of the doubt, as I am aware that patrons can be challenging and that hospitality can take a significant toll on your wellbeing. The waiter who attended to us was very apologetic, and took the mocktails and the fries we ordered off our bill, however, I believe we both expected far more from this restaurant than what was delivered.

The restaurant was not at all at capacity the entire night, and we watched patrons who arrived well after we did get their drinks, meals, and then leave, all in the timespan between us ordering and receiving our mains.

Ultimately, I felt especially upset, as we were meant to be celebrating, yet the wait times and chewy steak did leave a sour taste in our mouths. Eventually, we had to end up taking an Uber home as even public transport was inaccessible this late at night, and we live over an hour away.

We decided not to communicate this feedback to the waitstaff directly, as it was quite late - we were tired, and we also felt that it was unfair to add stress to the hospitality team, whom we watched navigate discussions with several challenging patrons throughout the night.

I paid $259 for our bill, even with exclusions, but I do believe that between the service and food quality, even this amount was perhaps far too much, especially since it was supposed to be a special occasion, but ended up becoming a three hour commitment. Again, I acknowledged my booking error and made it clear that we were happy to dine somewhere else, yet staff were able to allocate us a seat regardless, so I do not believe that capacity/logistical issues are at fault here.

I believe that perhaps dining expectations need to be managed better, or there should have been clearer communication to us regarding the delays on our food. Our experience here was highly disappointing, especially for such a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kingsleys in Woolloomooloo, and I must say it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. As a steak enthusiast, I am always on the lookout for top-notch establishments, and Kingsleys exceeded all my expectations.

From the moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted by a warm and attentive staff who made me feel right at home. The ambiance of the restaurant was sophisticated yet inviting, with its elegant decor and cozy lighting creating a perfect setting for a memorable meal.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the steak. Kingsleys truly understands the art of grilling a perfect cut of meat. I opted for their signature rib-eye steak, and it was cooked to absolute perfection. The steak was juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a heavenly experience, and I savored every moment.

Accompanying my steak was an array of delectable side dishes. The creamed spinach was velvety and rich, perfectly complementing the robust flavors of the steak. The hand-cut fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the roasted garlic mashed potatoes were a creamy delight. It's evident that the kitchen takes pride in every aspect of the meal.

The service at Kingsleys was exceptional throughout the evening. The waitstaff were knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations. They were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that my dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. The staff's passion for providing top-notch service was evident, and it added to the overall satisfaction of my visit.

To complete the evening, I indulged in one of Kingsleys' delectable desserts—a rich chocolate lava cake. It was the perfect sweet ending to a remarkable meal. The presentation was impeccable, and the taste was simply divine. I couldn't have asked for a better way to conclude my dining experience.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Kingsleys in Woolloomooloo for anyone looking to indulge in a top-quality steak dining experience. From the moment you enter until the moment you leave, you'll be treated to outstanding service, a delightful ambiance, and, most importantly, the finest steak you can find. Kingsleys has truly mastered the art of creating a memorable dining experience, and I cannot wait to return for another...

Usually when you see a restaurant empty on a strip full of packed places on a Saturday, you should take the hint.. well I didn’t want to judge a book by its cover.. (probably should’ve).

Atmosphere: the place may as well have had Covid restrictions imposed with how empty it was…

The few people that were in there looked like they came out of a local pub (with thongs, shorts and even tried lighting a cigarette at their table). Quite alarming for a restaurant who’s trying to sell high priced meals to dampen their clientele feel. I get it was quiet and maybe a customer or two was needed, but think about how it affects others there on a date etc.

Let alone the Shisha Lounge decor inside the restaurant 🤣 I was waiting for a waiter to ask me what flavour combination I wanted.

Food - Sub Par! I’m not a fussy eater, and will give credit where it’s due - however serving oysters with shell remains in all 6 of them is absurd. Felt like I was eating Spongebobs hometown when I tried the oysters….

The $199 Tomahawk? Meh - I am not a picky steak person (re. The inside texture) however I had asked for it specifically with no blood inside (for my partner as she likes it not burnt but also not moo’ing from the farm still). Well… It came crispy on the outside and redder than a tomato on the inside…. My partner didn’t end up eating more than one piece. As for myself, well steak is steak so down the hatch it goes, but wouldn’t order it again.

I’ve ordered steak at restaurants from Nusr-Et to 6Head, to Yiayia’s home cooked steak on a 1960’s stove. Never had something so crispy on the outside and red on the inside….

The sides: Broccolini tasted like airplane food.

Chips were nice though.

Overall staff were kind, and I understand they’re trying their best and took off the oysters and broccoli I off the bill.

I personally think the reviews (based off the clientele I saw there) come from demographics who enjoy pub food (nothing wrong with that), but if you’re looking for a romantic fine dining steak place, this isn’t it. You will end up with a pub crowd, sub pub food (pub steaks are actually delicious) and a bill you need to remortgage...