Salt Meats Cheese Cronulla — Restaurant in Sydney

Service: Service was a bit under the average in terms of overall professionalism. We booked a table online a couple of hours before the time we had chosen and got a confirmation that the booking was accepted. When we got in (about 4 min earlier to the time we had put down) we were told since we booked last minute and they’re busy we had to wait at the bar. (Just letting you know you can actually set your system up as to either not take “last minute” bookings or not to send automatic confirmations for tables you don’t actually have available just so you can avoid misunderstandings). There were two other couples waiting before us at the bar, so 35 min later we had our table. No harm since we were thinking of having some drinks to begin with just the fact that we were made to feel as if it was somehow our fault made us feel astonished. The (what we assumed to be) hostess was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt which wasn’t a normal fine dining/dining dress code but perhaps that’s how they roll so again no drama. They looked busy on a Thursday night, (not sure how busy you can get with 70-80 seats all up), seemed to have plenty of staff, some of which were constantly on their phones behind the bar, others took literally 5 min to polish 1 wine glass. There was one waitress that was running all over the restaurant and would have been the star of the night if it wasn’t for the fact that she kept putting her pen in her hair bun. When you deal with food best not touch your hair and people’s plates as it is unprofessional. Food: We ordered a glass of red and a cocktail. Wine tasted as if it was opened the day before and the cocktail seemed it was made with a flat prosecco. Glasses relatively clean (guess that bloke that took 5 minutes polishing 1 glass was the one responsible). We ordered a mixed antipasto that consisted of overall fresh ingredients. Not much can go wrong there but still the decision to put black truffle cheese on there might seem like a good one, however that particular flavor is so strong that completely overpowers the rest. Main course consisted of a pasta dish and a pizza. The pizza dough was not evenly rolled out, we had bits where the pizza was burned and bits where it was perfectly cooked. The pasta dish was more like a soup with really thick noodles. I strongly believe that if you dare call yourself an Italian restaurant (or with Italian influence) you should make sure you can cook a pasta. Over cooked and swimming in an oily substance I wouldn’t even call a sauce. Atmosphere: I think this is where this restaurant gets the most praise. High 4+ meter ceiling, nice interior with a fluid mixture of modern and vintage Italian styles. Perfect location, parking was easy, nice vibe. Acoustics a bit too strong but if they open all windows during summer, would be OK. Value for money: Call me old-fashioned but if you are to spend 60$+ a head with only having a glass of wine you are to at least receive good food and decent service. Yes, that’s all it takes, Good and Decent. No person in their right mind will expect you go above and beyond but at the same time you simply can not afford to bring to the table of your customers plates that simply should not be brought out. All other issues can be forgiven, however putting a bunch of fresh ingredients on a board (again very difficult to get wrong) does not qualify you as a fine dining/dining restaurant (which you kind of have to be if you want to justify the prices you have...

Went to Cronulla salt meats cheese. Had a seat watching the open kitchen. I watched as the chef/cook placed our arancini balls from the container into the deep frying. I watched as he prepared our plate watched as he took the arancini balls out of the deep frying, grated parmesan cheese over them shook them in the metal bowl and then dropped them on the floor. I Watched as he disappeared under the counter to pick them up. What i expected to see was him start the whole process over again but NO he served up the food he dropped on the floor. This is totally disgraceful and unacceptable. They did cook me new ones after i told the waiter i saw the chef/cook drop these ones, but i shouldn't have to point out to the waiter that i was served food dropped on the floor. I then watched the new ones come out of the container and cook again. However my main point is i should never have had to ask for new ones to be cooked any respectable chef/cook should know to bin food dropped on floor and cook fresh ones. What type of establishment and chef/cook would ever serve up food dropped on the floor. Another chef/cook witnessed the food dropped but they didn't tell the first chef/cook to start again, making me feel this is an acceptable practice at this establishment. There are cameras facing the kitchen i suggest the owners of this restaurant view the footage ( approximately 1830 Thursday the 11th September) and let these chef/cooks go. The last thing i would think a restaurant owner would want is a chef/cook that is willing to serve up food dropped on the floor. Despite being cooked a new entree this ruined my whole experience. I am still contemplating referring this matter to the department of health, as this is a serious...

Very disappointed. Was told we had to have a set menu which was annoying. Was given antipasto platter for entree, everything on there was ok except for one of the cheeses that tasted like wet paper and prosciutto which i hate. Arrancini balls were scrumptious though. Main, i had porchetta roll which was supposed to be stuffed. Not sure if there was stuffing in there ..couldn't see it, got one pathetic slice on a plate, choc o block full of slaw. Pork was dry. Ended up giving it to my husband cause it was very unappealing and horrendous value for money. Had panna cotta for dessert, very bland. A friend had pizza and it was soggy as hell. I notice on the full menu the pork was $32. That's outrageous for a 1cm slice of pork and a bucket load of cabbage. One staff member was very attentive, every other staff member didn't even look at us. I mentioned the soggy pizza to the waitress, she took it to the manager who just shrugged it off. The half of pizza left went in the bin. Wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone. I definitely won't be going back. I would usually give a restaurant a second chance but to fob us off without even an apology for the pizza and the lame protein size on the main, and the mandatory set menu, I'm not interested...