Submitted on Thu 25 Jul 2024
This month, The Recruitment Company’s Lunch Club found itself at Ventuno, a spot we hadn’t graced before. Expectations were sky-high as we breezed into the venue. But did Ventuno leave us with fond memories or just a need for antacids? Let’s dive into the reviews from our top performers.
Dervla – 3.75/5
"Location/view: 5 – The sun was shining, and it was fabulous, made even better by the sunset! Atmosphere: 3 – We had the place to ourselves until about 5 PM when it started to get busier. It seems more suited for dinner than lunch. Service: 3.5/4 – Despite being the only ones there, we had to get the staff's attention a few times. However, they were very lovely and attentive once engaged. Food: 4 – The food was good, though not quite the fine dining we're used to with our lunch clubs. The dessert was amazing and definitely the highlight! Wine: 5 – Great. I also had a mojito, which I wouldn’t rate as highly."
Dervla painted a mixed picture. The location scored top marks, especially when the sun decided to grace us with its presence and the sunset worked its magic. The service, however, seemed to take a siesta despite the lack of other diners. The food was good, but only the dessert left a lasting impression. A mojito that didn’t hit the spot rounded off her experience. At least the sunset saved the day.
Holly – 3.75/5
"It’s such a beautiful part of Sydney and it should have been a beautiful view except there was a work site directly in front of the restaurant, which was unfortunate timing. After a couple of hours, they packed up and left though, which meant we did watch one of the most beautiful sunsets whilst sipping on red wine. All in all a great afternoon out, but I wouldn’t rush back. Pros: Ate one of the best desserts of my life, They made an amazing Aperol spritz, The sunset, The company!! Cons: They moved us to the lounge area after we ate as they ‘needed our seat’ when in fact there were loads of free tables. They don’t make a good Margarita (the cocktail kind). Sitting 2 meters from people drilling has left me pondering what random dust and powders I ingested on top of my steak 😉"
Holly’s experience was a rollercoaster. The construction site view wasn’t exactly what she’d hoped for, but it packed up in time for a stunning sunset. Despite the ups and downs, she savoured one of the best desserts of her life and a killer Aperol spritz. However, being shunted to the lounge area and subpar cocktails put a damper on things. The construction dust was just the icing on the (dusty) cake.
Anna – 4.1/5
"Food: The highlight of Ventuno is the food. I opted for the mushroom gnocchi, which was a good choice. The gnocchi were perfectly cooked, and the truffle flavour was balanced, enhancing the earthy taste of the mushrooms. We also shared two desserts (chocolate mousse and amaretto semifreddo) among our group, and both were exceptional, ending the meal on a high note. Ambiance: While the food impressed, the ambiance did not quite match up. The interior decor was rather uninspiring and did not add to the overall fine dining experience we were after. However, we chose to sit outside, and this made a significant difference. On a sunny day, the outdoor seating at Ventuno is lovely. In conclusion, Ventuno excels with its delicious food. The outdoor seating is perfect for enjoying a beautiful day in Walsh Bay, though the interior ambiance leaves something to be desired."
Anna was all about the food, and rightly so. Her mushroom gnocchi and shared desserts were highlights. The interior, however, failed to impress, making the outdoor seating the saving grace. Ventuno’s cuisine won her over, even if the ambiance didn’t quite match up.
So overall, Ventuno offered a mixed bag. The food, especially the desserts, had our top performers swooning, but the ambiance and service left something to be desired. The outdoor seating, with its sun-drenched charm, was the real winner here. Fair to say, it’s a spot worth visiting for the food and the view, but don’t expect a seamless fine dining experience.
Venue Score: 3.85/5
Recruiters, fancy a job that’ll have you dining at the finest spots, jetting off to Bali, Las Vegas, and beyond? Check out our current vacancies here. Your next gourmet adventure could be on us! Until next time, happy dining and even happier recruiting!
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