We headed down for brunch, based in Unilocal reviews and was not disappointed. The view isn’t great, you’re looking into the shopping centre across the road — but when you walk in, you forget about the outside anyway. It’s such a charming and quiet little place that you really don’t care what is happening in the world. We had hotcakes, French toast, and a full breakfast. It was all delicious. The French toast I would probably switch out the bacon and replace with the berries from the hotcakes — but that’s just my aversion to having bacon with my French toast(don’t tell the Canadians). The staff are friendly and slightly off beat — but in a charming way that gives the place character rather than send you running from the building. I’d definitely make a return visit, possibly for dinner as the photos and the menu look delicious.
Benjamin B.
Place rating: 5 Sydney, Australia
The grey army love this place. They sure picked their spot, this Martha’s team, all the ‘Crag retirees are all about the whitewashed walls, tasteful art, and classic French menu. Took Mater here for her bday last night, and while the prices have gone up since last time I was here(around $ 18 – 25 for entrée, and $ 30 – 37 for main), the food is still excellent quality. Kicked off with a cheeky shiraz and delicious complimentary bread and butter(sprinkle it with rock salt, oh yeah) and dove right into the beef tartare with cornichons, anchovies, capers, crostini and spring onions. It was top notch steak, that much was clear, and delicately spiced and flavoured. Mum’s filet mignon was beautifully medium rare with a morish jus, and the honey spiced panacotta for dessert wasn’t at all sweet, the chef unafraid to lace it with tart berries, unlike many of his contemporaries who rely too much on making these things syrupy sweet. The side potatoes were burnt and not that great sadly, and the side veggies were a bit wilted or overcooked or something, but really, when the mains are this good that’s just a footnote in the meal itself. Bonus points to the Italian waiter who made my mum some limonatta with fresh lemons when she asked for the little bottles that they didn’t have.
Amanda P.
Place rating: 5 Sydney, Australia
Beautiful food. Fantastic service. Beautiful french provincial décor. Floristry is always stunning! I have read that this place was nearly awarded a GFG Hat this year and I’m not suprised.
Mark F.
Place rating: 3 Australia
We settled on this restaurant in the burbs for her birthday cos it was close, not too expensive and ok. W had been there for a Living Social deal and were reasonably impressed. Nice interior, white sort of homesteady feel with nice art on the wall(apparently a waiting list to get your art hung here!) The waiter was hilarious — a Frenchman he tolerated with great good humor our party’s increasingly mangled attempts at speaking his native tongue. He was tolerant and humorous and the girls thought he was gorgeous(he was). The service itself was a little slow, but ok. The restaurant was pretty busy considering the time of year but we managed ok. The food was very good on the whole — the steak tartare was actually outstanding, the risotto delicious and creamy and the lamb rump tender and tasty. Regrettably I can’t help but choose duck when it’s on the menu and although the duck confit was lovely I felt the other favors on the plate overpowered it a little. The mash and cabbage mix is fantastic, however the side effects, not so much! Will go again… :-)
Julia W.
Place rating: 4 Sydney, Australia
Oh so beautiful, Martha’s is easy to take for granted if you live in the area. The whole ambience of Martha’s is cozy yet chic — white is essentially the colour palette but the head chef is also a florist so the fresh flowers on display here add magnificent splashes of red, green, yellow, blue or pink(whatever is in season really). The cuisine here is Modern Australia. The menu changes seasonally(which I love) but at the moment on the lunch menu is a Riverina lamb rack dish which is just unbelievable. A trip to Martha’s is sort of a special occasion as the meals here aren’t ‘cheap and cheerful’ but you absolutely get what you pay for. If you want to give Martha’s a try then go for a breakfast that has slightly better prices than the lunch or dinner menu.
Tereza B.
Place rating: 5 Sydney, Australia
Martha’s is a favourite for my Mum and I to spend time together. She loves the provincial style décor, fresh bouquets, white walls, white table linen and the attentive staff. I love the food as the menu is ever changing so I’m guaranteed not to try anything twice here and the fare is seasonal produce.
Even though we are regulars here I remember how out of place my husband and our friends were when we dragged ourselves in for a breakfast one morning after we had all had too much wine the night before. Conversations seemed to reverberate off the walls and we were worse for wear amongst the conservative crowd that day. On another occasion our friends daughter’s first birthday and christening celebration was held here and I was so impressed with how the owners combined the indoor dining with the pavement outside. The food was impeccable and also the bouquets which is all that was required to make such a beautiful celebration complete. The coffee is Grinders and its good for the ‘purist’ coffee drinkers and also pleasant for those like me who love to wreck their coffee with lmilk and foam. I have had the French onion soup and the fish and potato cakes that I highly recommend if it’s ever on the menu. A beautiful local restaurant with high quality service, atmosphere and food.