Dining critic candidate No. 6
Are you looking for that special place you can call your own? A place that, without too much planning and with little notice, you are welcomed in and served in top fashion? And, all this, without being handed a pager as you wait with countless others until a table is ready for you? This is what you will find at The New South Wales Restaurant.
Although the atmosphere lacks slightly, the low-lighting may keep you from looking too closely at the cheaply-framed copies of aboriginal art and a small jungle of plastic plants. Stark, wooden, unclothed tables give a first impression of an impersonal or uncomfortable dining experience, but a very service-oriented staff and the excellent food are able to overcome these initial doubts.
Upon being seated we were offered a wine list, the selections being served by the glass or the bottle. With three in our party, we next studied an appitizer menu with choices such as lavosh, kangaroo kabobs, shrimp cocktail, alligator, fried zuchini.... We chose calamari and sauteed mushrooms. The calamari was breaded and fried and was as sweet and fresh as I've ever had it. Large, juicy, sauteed mushrooms were piled high in a dish of garlic butter. The two appitizers were served "family-style" and were such large portions that as we settled into our conversation, we put the dinners we had ordered out of our minds. Our beverages were refreshed with little more than a word or two from our attentative server. Noticing our pace, she asked if we would like to have more time before she brought our salads and turned in our dinner order. Nice touch! No rush, and we were even more comfortable.
We did finally move on to dinner. After a nice dinner salad, the entrees were served. We had ordered blackened yellow fin tuna, prime rib, and sauteed sea scallops. Again, we were amazed at the large portions. The prime rib was tender, served perfectly at the temperature ordered, and if this was the small cut, we joked about what the large cut must look like. The blackened tuna was definitely spicy, while moist and flavorful. The sauteed sea scallops were tender and sweet, served over rice with a side of garlic butter. All entrees come with a choice of rice pilaf or baked potato ( try it loaded with butter, sour cream, chives and even fresh crumbled bacon).
While our plates were being cleared and coffee was being served, our server asked if we would like to see a dessert menu. Although, based on the rest of our meal, I'm sure we could expect many delectible choices, none of us were able to fathom the thought of one more bite.
I look forward to returning again, but with most entrees priced at about $16 - $20, it seems that it might be time for a "face-lift" to bring the atmosphere up to the high standards of their service and cuisine.
The New South Wales Restaurant is located at 5901 Corporate Drive, near Woodman and I-25.
Although the atmosphere lacks slightly, the low-lighting may keep you from looking too closely at the cheaply-framed copies of aboriginal art and a small jungle of plastic plants. Stark, wooden, unclothed tables give a first impression of an impersonal or uncomfortable dining experience, but a very service-oriented staff and the excellent food are able to overcome these initial doubts.
Upon being seated we were offered a wine list, the selections being served by the glass or the bottle. With three in our party, we next studied an appitizer menu with choices such as lavosh, kangaroo kabobs, shrimp cocktail, alligator, fried zuchini.... We chose calamari and sauteed mushrooms. The calamari was breaded and fried and was as sweet and fresh as I've ever had it. Large, juicy, sauteed mushrooms were piled high in a dish of garlic butter. The two appitizers were served "family-style" and were such large portions that as we settled into our conversation, we put the dinners we had ordered out of our minds. Our beverages were refreshed with little more than a word or two from our attentative server. Noticing our pace, she asked if we would like to have more time before she brought our salads and turned in our dinner order. Nice touch! No rush, and we were even more comfortable.
We did finally move on to dinner. After a nice dinner salad, the entrees were served. We had ordered blackened yellow fin tuna, prime rib, and sauteed sea scallops. Again, we were amazed at the large portions. The prime rib was tender, served perfectly at the temperature ordered, and if this was the small cut, we joked about what the large cut must look like. The blackened tuna was definitely spicy, while moist and flavorful. The sauteed sea scallops were tender and sweet, served over rice with a side of garlic butter. All entrees come with a choice of rice pilaf or baked potato ( try it loaded with butter, sour cream, chives and even fresh crumbled bacon).
While our plates were being cleared and coffee was being served, our server asked if we would like to see a dessert menu. Although, based on the rest of our meal, I'm sure we could expect many delectible choices, none of us were able to fathom the thought of one more bite.
I look forward to returning again, but with most entrees priced at about $16 - $20, it seems that it might be time for a "face-lift" to bring the atmosphere up to the high standards of their service and cuisine.
The New South Wales Restaurant is located at 5901 Corporate Drive, near Woodman and I-25.
posted by Warren Epstein at 10:48 AM
5 Comments:
I like how descriptive this critic was on the restaurant as well as the food they where served and there customer service. I think this was very well put together.
I couldn't agree more with this review! Because of this review, I did go to dinner at New South Wales Saturday night. I love to enjoy my dinner without being rushed out the door. You covered all of the bases in this review - all the way down to the Aboriginal artwork! They certainly could use a "face-lift" as you so well put it. I totally appreciate your review - I got just what I expected based on your recommendation. Thank you.
Good review. I have been to this restaurant and I concur with this reviewer. Food is outstanding, service is great and I can't see that it would take that much to bring the restaurant to a new level. Perhaps table clothes on the weekend, well placed candles and get rid of the plastic bushes. This reviewer hit it on the head!
Good restaurant detail, but the food should take the majority of your review. Good inclusion of pricing, location and enjoyability.
FYI. "submission reviewer" is not associated with the Gazette.
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