Ruse Bar and Brasserie — Restaurant in Sydney

We excepted a good experience for my bday based on the high google reviews and the expensive price, yet it turned out to be very disappointing in terms of both service and food. We(2ppl) spent almost $200 for this meal and it’s definitely not worth it.

I wanted to ask some questions about the menu when ordering so asked a staff passed by, he told me to ask others and left. This is so rude, I understand he might be busy but he could at least tell another colleague to come to our table. Then I asked another staff about the main dish pork and how they made it, he explained but I was still unsure so asked if they have any pics to show me because I don’t want to order the wrong one, he told me to google it. The service isn’t that professional at all.

For drinks, I ordered Barrel Aged Negroni but the amount was little, $22/glass should deserve a reasonable amount.

For food, calamari and broccolini were ok, but the main meal pork and veal weren’t tasting great at all. They don’t even have much on the side and we had to pay extra to order a side dish, there were only some pickled onions and some tiny amount to garnish.

Pork’s portion wasn’t much, the picture was taken before I ate. It wasn’t tender and was too thick and rich to eat, it tasted greasy and not fresh at all. I know it’s dry aged but I think they can definitely do it in a better way for the almost $50’s price. The skin was super thick and hard to chew, it made my jaw pain from having to try very hard to chew. I couldn’t even finish it because it was just not enjoyable at all.

Veal wasn’t fresh, also tasted too thick. It made me want to throw up especially after starting with pork.(I’m not trying to sound mean but it was my actual feeling after having the bite), my partner also couldn’t finish it and left a big amount. Not worth $50.

I really hope they can improve their service and food so that it matches its expensive price, otherwise it’s...

First time visit last night. Party of four. Sydney CBD like vibes n quality locally. Unexpectedly this establishment doesn't just look the part, it delivers the part.

FOOD It was interesting, surprising and cooked to perfection!! The details...

We shared: the eggplant entree, mwahh Fried Southern Calamari entree - that was an artwork on the plate. Single King Prawn had all the flavours but a strong smell of the sea and slightly undercooked and raw near the head. Had the melt-in-the-mouth Pyranees Lamb with the very surprisingly well made tomatoe with it. I was initially very apprehensive about the tomato pairing. Another main was the sage butter pumpkin Ravioli.. Dessert was the Soaked coconut cake.. well made, everything in balance..

COCKTAILS awesome! Margaritas - made to perfection. Twice. Consistency is key right? Hendricks - perfection. Martinis - ahhh.. this is where it wasn't so IMO... but it looked beautiful, wasn't perfectly balanced n lacking just a little more sweetness to balance the guava perhaps.

SERVICE - polite, friendly, welcoming. When the 2 martinis weren't right, the waiter checked in on the next lot of cocktails and offered to get the bar the to come have a chat which I didn't take up. Was too happy with everything else.

VIBES awesome. Atmosphere lovely in the open air dining area.

PRICING - special mention and I don't mention this generally but think important here. I was there to taste. At $100 a head average I experienced 3 cocktails, 3 entrees, 2 mains and a dessert.Thanks to the share plate accommodation. The quality was exceptional and therefore this is cheap for the city like quality experienced minus the price tag of the city.

Do the share plates for...

Came in for dinner with friends, got the oysters, southern calamari, trout ceviche, eggplant, scotch fillet, lamb rump, roast chicken, pappardelle and drinks. The scotch fillet and lamb rump were cooked to perfection, meat incredibly tender and flavourful, all the sides tasted great especially the eggplant which tasted like a very flavourful baba ganoush. The chicken was moist, however the flavour was quite intense and not really my taste. Fries were perfectly seasoned and crunchy. Cocktails and drinks were all perfect and very well presented. IMO I really think that for the price of the mains, the plate should really have more on it then just the protein sitting on it (Yes, I know many steak restaurants do that, however, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should)…. Like throw a few salad greens on the plate or something (it just makes me think of some restaurants who advertise “burgers” and then when the plate comes out it’s just a meat patty (just looks really sad and awkward). Side note, I know the burgers are only served at the bar (I feel like as the menu is quite limited as it is, I personally feel the burger menu should be offered in the main dining area also). The almond cake and pavlova were both outstanding. Service by all staff was absolutely phenomenal and very attentive, welcoming and on point. Restaurant very easy to locate, just outside the train station entrance. Both seating arrangement and overall ambiance was fantastic. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you are feeling like a semi fancy dinner catch up with friends and don’t feel like driving to Surry Hills or other eastern/inner eastern...