Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade

I booked this lunch as a surprise birthday lunch for my partner who had mentioned constantly that we should try this bar/restaurant, and I can honestly say this is one of the most disappointing experiences in Sydney that we have ever had. When I booked we were given the option of a 12.30pm sitting or 2.30pm - so in order to be able to enjoy the lazy afternoon I planned I took the 2.30pm option. We arrived at 2.30pm and were seated at a small table. I was sat on a sofa so low to the ground I could have rolled off with no danger of hurting myself and my partner on a dining chair (much higher) opposite me - which meant he was at a completely different level and had to look down to me to converse. This wasn't suitable and we decided to move tables - which we were accommodated with as luckily there was space. We were told the menu was designed as several tasting plates designed to share and for grazing, great we thought, we can relax and take our time. We ordered a bottle of champagne and ordered some oysters and scallops to start - no complaints here as these were great. No sooner after we had had these we were told the kitchen was closing for a couple of hours (apparently they close between 3-5pm) and we were asked if we wished to select anything else so they could push it through the kitchen. We felt pressured to order food so we could have something to eat and grabbed a couple of other options but only because we were hungry. This was not the lazy Friday afternoon lunch we had planned. Basically we finished the food we had ordered and the bottle of champagne and left feeling very disappointed with our afternoon. Unfortunately the staff and management here obviously rely on the fact that they have a great location with their one great selling point - that Harbour Bridge View. The service was very disappointing too - who has to fill up their own glass constantly with the bottle they've ordered and ask for water? If you want to take an overseas visitor somewhere for a quick drink on your way to dinner or if you work in advertising and are on a client work lunch (as it seems most of the crowd there seemed to) then this could be an option (but personally I'd go somewhere like the Shangri La or any other cocktail/wine bar on the harbour) Otherwise don't bother - it'll leave you a few hundred dollars out of pocket with no worthy experience to recommend to your friends and family.

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This venue is absolutely lovely for drinks if the weather is nice, as the views are absolutely stunning (bring your sunglasses if you're visiting during the day though, as it can get very bright inside). The drinks very flavoursome and not too heavy, and the presentation of the cocktails are also great; not cheap, but not too excessive by Sydney standards and it's clear that you also pay for the ambience.The food consists of shared plates; while the quality was good the dishes are very expensive for what they are. If you're looking for a solid feed you may want to go elsewhere.The service was not that friendly but it was attentive and efficient; there was no sign of the arrogance and pretentiousness noted in other reviews for this venue.I would definitely go back with friends, but I wouldn't eat there.

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Great place for drinks with a view. Staff did not turn on heaters until after two hours of being on the balcony. Female staff did not look into the heaters and just stated thy weren't working. Gentleman finally looked into it and changed the gas. Seafood was good. Definitely go when it's sunset. Crowd is across the board. Got the immature ones who bang on toilet doors to hurry up the ones inside.

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Popped in for Sunday lunch. Managed to get a table on level 4. Views were amazing lots of little quirky rooms to visit. Food is more tapas on the top levels than full meals. Lovely spot to see the harbour. We had the salmon salad -very nice. Fish sandwich which was ok the fish was Pan fried but had been fried in too much oil , Brussels sprouts were a bit sweet for my liking.

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Thank God I rediscovered this place.Step back, absorb the view and just relax in the beauty that is Sydney. Share plates...perfect...service...attentive..prices...who cares when your at the top of the best part of Sydney. DO THIS PLACE! ..

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