Nieo's Grille Earlwood — Restaurant in Sydney

Executive summary: I would've gone back for the lamb but avoided the salmon. I won't be going back for the attitude - that was inexcusable.

I'd been past this place few times and noted that it was always busy - a good sign so today I tried it with a friend for Sunday lunch.

Overall appearance - well presented. Inside there is a takeaway section at the front and a sit down restaurant at the back.

Takeaway section: The takeaway sells barbeque chicken, roasted vegetables and an assortment of salads. The barbeque chicken is just your normal takeaway chicken, like you can get at thousands of other chicken shops (and for less $) - nothing special there. The roasted vegetables are, lets say rustic - presentable but basic. The salad bar looks inviting but I haven't tried it, so judge for yourself.

Restaurant: Caters for couples and families and groups with a family atmosphere; upmarket from Macas but not fine dining. We had a table for two. The waitress hovered nearby while we read our menus. The location of our table may have been a factor but nevertheless it was disconcerting; I like to read through menus from front to back before making a selection and I did so but the hovering made me feel rushed. Still, it's better than waiters and waitresses that never look your way or go AWOL.

Meals: My companion had the Salmon which came with large broccoli florets, cut carrots and sweet potatoes, a lemon and oil dressing and what I assume was an aioli (she didn't like it and I didn't taste it). I had the slow cooked lamb which came with large broccoli florets, cut carrots, and 5 half small (10 cent piece size) round potatoes - totally at odds with the presentation style of the other vegetables.

Hers (the bad): When our food arrived I knew this would be the first and last time we ate here together - she would not be coming here ever again; from across the table her salmon looked overcooked and the vegetables looked home style - a la throw some broccoli and carrots on the plates for the kids. Despite the two dressings (above) my impression was it was going to be a dry and uninteresting meal and that I was going to hear about it later. I should mention that my companion for this meal is a salmon aficionado; if there's salmon on the menu then that's what she orders; most of the time anyway. The point being she knows salmon and if she doesn't like it she doesn't go back. Watching her eat it, it didn't flake as badly as I thought it might but there was no trace of red left inside the fillet either.

Mine (the good): In contrast my slow cooked lamb was delicious, tender and well seasoned. The vegetables, as on her plate, were not so good in themselves but on my plate they were saved by the juices and sauce from the lamb. After tasting the lamb my companion remarked that my meal had more flavour.

Service (the very bad): I rarely complain if I don't like what I've been served; I don't like scenes and it's not the waiter's fault, I just never go back. My companion though is more outspoken. When a waiter came to collect our plates she related to him that they overcook the salmon. He took exception to her remarks, said he would check, and stormed off into the kitchen. He returned shortly afterwards and aggressively reprimanded her and told her that the salmon was not overcooked. Even if he was right (which he wasn't) and she was wrong (which she wasn't) or didn't know anything about cooking fish (which she does), it would still be inappropriate for a waiter to behave so aggressively towards a customer. His reaction to the criticism was so extreme that it had me wondering if perhaps the waiter was actually the manager or the owner - because really why would a waiter care if one customer thought their meal was overcooked? He's...

First let me start with: for a while I kept hearing that this place should be on my list to try. So I finally bit the bullet and tried it for Mother’s Day with my family.

Quick notes: Customer service friendly. Seated with booking right away. Price honestly not that bad.

Now for the food.

I ordered their special for the day: the lamb on a spit that was marinated with their spice blend, a side salad and fries. My meal was exceptional. The lamb was tender. The fries were crisp and I enjoyed the salad. I’ve been to some places where the lamb is gamey, this surprisingly was not. I could not believe how good it tasted. I couldn’t bear to waste the left over lamb, so I ACTUALLY asked for it in a box to take home. I have personally never done this in Australia, because I have not found ANYTHING, that great, that it was worthy of me dragging it home in a to go container.

Some side notes: Cans of coke were a little on the pricier side at $5 a can. Maybe it was because it was Mother’s Day. I didn’t really care for the cheap plastic cups. This place is a beautiful restaurant the cheapness of the water cups lowers the beauty of this place.

End notes: Overall I VERY highly recommend this place! IF you don’t like lamb, the split half chicken is so damn good! It literally melts in your mouth and falls off the bone! Right now, It is the next day and I’m already craving some of that chicken. 🤦‍♀️

To conclude: This may, very well be my new place to go! That in my book is very high.

Nieos you get a 9/10 from me!

You need to try this place! Then you will know exactly what I am talking about! And your taste buds will Thank you!

Phenomenal job Nieos! I am not usually impressed, but on...

🌟 A Magnificent Experience at Nieo's - Truly Exceptional! 🌟

I stepped into Nieo's for the first time on a bustling Saturday afternoon, drawn by the buzz that surrounded this hidden gem. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a gentleman, who I later discovered was none other than the owner, Nick. His warm welcome and personalized attention set the tone for a truly exceptional dining experience.

Nick's impeccable customer service and genuine hospitality were a breath of fresh air. He not only guided me through the menu with expert recommendations but also went above and beyond to ensure my family and I felt right at home. He even took the time to personally arrange a table for us, showcasing his dedication to creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The flavors of the round and flat chicken dishes we ordered were simply unparalleled. Each bite was a burst of juiciness and rich, savory goodness, making it a culinary delight unlike any other in Sydney. Nick's attention to detail and passion for quality cuisine shone through in every dish we savored.

As a Retail and customer service teacher myself, I couldn't help but admire Nick's innate talent for hospitality. His genuine care for his guests and the impeccable service culture he has cultivated at Nieo's are a true testament to his commitment to excellence.

The restaurant's spotless cleanliness, inviting ambiance, and high-quality, original dishes left a lasting impression on my family and me. We left Nieo's with hearts full of gratitude and mouths watering for our next visit. Kudos to Nick and the wonderful team at Nieo's for creating a dining experience that truly stands out...