The Atrium - PRESTONS

I was excited to see their new menu, and thought of enjoying my 45 birthday with 22 members of my family. After dinner I asked each one of them to rate their pl... read more I was excited to see their new menu, and thought of enjoying my 45 birthday with 22 members of my family. After dinner I asked each one of them to rate their plates... they knew I was going to write this review lol. As I always do.... Everyone gave it the thumbs up, cooked as requested- meat was of quality with no after taste. Everyone was happy and really enjoyed the food. Service was excellent, but you always get that at the Mercure and Catholic Club. Because it's not well known, and out of the way of the local food district. It's was not fully booked. Probably half full. But for me that was the main attraction... where I could hear our conversations and there was no need to shout in order to have a talk with your family.. unlike those famous and busy restaurants in town. Price wise well I got a good discount been a member of the Catholic Club

After a nice comfortable night in our room, we decided to try the buffet breakfast at the Atrium inside the hotel. It's an all-you-can-eat affair for $20. If yo... read more After a nice comfortable night in our room, we decided to try the buffet breakfast at the Atrium inside the hotel. It's an all-you-can-eat affair for $20. If you leave there hungry..its your own fault. With an array of hot dishes, as well as the usual continental offerings, there is something for everyone. The food was hot and fresh, with staff constantly checking to ensure it remained so. If you had a hankering for omelette or French toast, you only need ask and it would be cooked by the chef for you. One of the best breakfasts I have had in terms of both value for money and flavoursome food.

We were staying at the adjoining Mecure Hotel mid week on a business trip and dined here both nights for convenience. The first night we arrived at 8.40pm and s... read more We were staying at the adjoining Mecure Hotel mid week on a business trip and dined here both nights for convenience. The first night we arrived at 8.40pm and stood for almost 5 minutes at the desk wondering if we should go into the kitchen for some assistance. Finally a waiter arrived and we were seated. We ordered entree and mains and when the waiter advised the 'Beef Short Rib' was a 500g piece of meat I said we would order dessert after mains (if we could fit it in). I ordered the pork belly entree with apple gateau and vinegar caramel and it was delicious - I was impressed. Sadly this was were it ended. The so called 500g beef short rib arrived and it was roasted, overcooked, grey and about 150g - nothing on the menu said it was roasted. However, the accompanying beetroot puree and pumpkin sponge with the bitter chocolate sauce were delicious and the hero of this dish. If only the chef had got the beef right. After finishing our mains it was 9.40pm and the waiter arrived at our table and when we tried to order dessert he informed us the kitchen closed at 9.30pm. I asked him why he didn't come and advise us of this before 9.30pm since we had told him we would consider dessert after our mains - he said he was busy with other tables. On the second night we arrived at 8pm determined to try dessert and on arriving at the desk were told that the restaurant was full as they had an unexpected table of 35 for a Christmas Party. Another couple who had just arrived from Germany were also there and began arguing with the waitress as there were some 8 empty tables in the restaurant. The waitress was becoming visibly upset and when the german couple asked for the manager she finally seated us and provided complimentary garlic bread and drinks telling us there would be a wait. On this night I ordered zucchine flowers with spiced beef guacamole and sour cream - again the entree was the star meal. For mains I ordered the 'slow cooked lamb rump' expecting it to be a melt in the mouth piece of lamb. Sadly again it was an overcooked grey piece of roasted lamb - nothing slow cooked about this meat. My partner ordered the 'Peppered Flat Iron Steak' but as she ordered it well done (you just can't help some people) I can't comment on the dish. For dessert we had the lemon curd which was very uninteresting with lemon curd,coconut jelly and meringue droplets with 2 shortbread biscuits, so you picked up the biscuit and took a bite of that then a mouthful of curd,jelly,meringue. After finishing we walked to the desk to settle our account and again no waiter and the till left wide open. After about 2 minutes a waitress arrived. Summarising, this restaurant has potential but lacks front of house service and experience. Wait staff need to be more attentive to the customers, their job and knowing what is on the menu and how to describe it. The menu needs to reflect a proper description of the food. My feeling is that the meat at this restaurant is pre-cooked and heated for service meaning it is overcooked and dryed out. The chef needs to sit down and eat what he/she is serving and if they are true to themselves and interested in their job make some changes as it is very obvious that they can do it if they want to but at the moment it is just too disjointed.

Service: Dine-in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: A$20–40 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 3 Recommended dishes: Pork Knuckle, Steak Fries, Chicken... read more Service: Dine-in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: A$20–40 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 3 Recommended dishes: Pork Knuckle, Steak Fries, Chicken Wings

This is a lovely, quiet spot in western Sydney. The service was excellent, and the food was fantastic. Overall, I would rate it: Food: 5, Service: 5, Atmosphere... read more This is a lovely, quiet spot in western Sydney. The service was excellent, and the food was fantastic. Overall, I would rate it: Food: 5, Service: 5, Atmosphere: 5.