Bluestone Restaurant

Posted by: DAVJ | 3 August 2009, 10.49am

We always go to Bluestone because we love it. It is a favourite place for us at lunchtime in the downstairs bar. We work nearby & come in every few weeks for one of the awesome wood oven pizzas. They are fantastic with a thin crispy base. I love the margherita as you can taste all the various ingredients, simple & perfect. The chicken tandoori pizza, which is not something I would generally ever choose for a pizza topping, is fantastic. I usually think the more simple the better, but this one is a winner.
Rather then lunch for the first time we came in for dinner on Friday night in the downstairs lounge & it was fantastic. We usually do lunch downstairs & then dinners upstairs (where the food is amazing). The atmosphere of the bar was perfect had a real buzz, the staff were great, they obviously all enjoy working at Bluestone as this came though in the service, which is just the right amount, not in your face, but there when you need them, also very friendly & relaxed too. Once again we had pizzas as we just can't go passed them.
Next time we come it will be difficult to decide if we do upstairs or down as they are both brilliant, we will have to let the mood decide.

Food:			Visit: Fri 31 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Floren | 29 July 2009, 1pm

My indicator of a good restaurant is how good a time I've had. Basically, if everything falls together beautifully, I can't but help have a good time, and this is just the way it was when I went to Bluestone on Saturday night. Everything worked down to a tee. We actually had a ball!

There was much agonising over the menu - there were so many things I wanted to try! We thought, debated, weighed up, and after half an hour (I'm not kidding), finally made our selections. Each course was quite amazing. Each had an exciting element, or two or more. Each had a Wow factor. I love difference. I get bored with the same old stuff. Bluestone is creative in its approach - and it works - but it's not over the top.

We chatted, laughed, shared our meals so we could try as many flavour combinations as possible, and happily flowed along with the upbeat vibe of the evening in what is a pretty stunning building with original bluestone walls. We were totally absorbed.

The staff made everything easy and effortless. They're knowledgeable, had great suggestions, and are good people - true naturals.

We had somewhere else to get to and were meant to leave by 9.15, which would have been a total rush. No chance, we decided, made a quick phone call, and relaxed over some decadent desserts lubricated with a well-recommended sticky wine.

Don't get me wrong. We only had a glass of red and a sticky each. Why spoil a fabulous dining opportunity by numbing the senses with alcohol?

This food experience, and I've had many, was one of those that'll definitely have me saying, "Remember that time we went to Bluestone..."

Food:			Visit: Sat 25 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: JVGJ | 18 July 2009, 12.49pm

A group of 6 of us dined at Bluestone this Thursday and loved it. Bluestone is one of our all time favourite venues as it really is warm and inviting and both upstairs and downstairs food is yum. It for some reason is not that well known but really is a hidden gem. I was suprised to find out they just celebrated their 9th year of trade, definatly a fair effort considering it is a city venue and the current economic issues. Anyway back to dinner. We started with some live smooth Jazz downstairs which was not too loud and the lady singing had a fantastic silky voice, add a great "mintini" cocktail (mint flavoured martini)plus some fantastic oysters, we were well on our way to a great night. We moved upstairs for dinner and indulged in a fantastic cab sauv they recommneded, a share of entrees including our old time favourite of hervey bay scallops plus a delicious quail and pumpkin feta fritters. The quail was perfectly cooked and the spicy were perfectly balanced. For mains we had a selection of options and were very impressed that they were all delicious. My favourite was the daube of beef which melted in my mouth, hopkins river steak was again perfectly cooked with a great char-grilled flavour and rich yummy mushrooms, and the whole chilli snapper had a perfect balance of spices and chilli. They also had a goat special which no one order but sounded great.
My only negative of the night (why I took of 1/2 a point on food) was we struggled to fit the dessert in and ended up sharing one of the dessert platters for two between all of us, which was perfect as always with a good selection of desserts from the menu on it. Next time maybe I should not go the oytsers, then again?? We highly recommend Thursday night Jazz and of course the food. Congratulations Bluestone on reaching 9 years!

Food:			Visit: Thu 16 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: ninjaspew | 7 July 2009, 12.40pm

Bluestone used to be a favourite. Cosy warm setting, excellent service and delicious well presented food.
My last dinner there was a medicore at best experience.
It was a Saturday and it seemed a little understaffed. The service was poor but this could have been due to the understaffing and how busy the restaurant was (we waited too long for water, drinks, bread, had to ask for oil and dukka for the bread, which also took a long time to come out because they could not find big enough bowls for them). What was the absolute killer was the swapping of zucchini flowers for witlof as they had run out of zucchini flowers for the vegetable mezze. They did not consult us on this, just came out with the plate and no explanation till we got the waiters attention again and asked what was going on. totally unacceptable. Zucchini flowers are substantial and the reason this dish was ordered. Swapping them for two tiny pieces of witlof without consulting us first is a joke. The rest of the vegetable mezze was quite bad too. It even included a soggy savoury pastry. After this fiasco, we were treated quite coldly and we just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Very disappointed as Bluestone was once a great food experience that I had recommended to others, but not after this weekend. Has there been a change in management/ownership?

Food:			Visit: Sat 4 July 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: spiceoflife | 1 June 2009, 9.36pm

My husband and I recently went to this restaurant to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Needless to say, we anticipated a special night. We certainly were not dissapointed. We were greeted at the entrance by a very friendly waiter who took our coats and escorted us to our lovely table. Our entrees were served in record time as were our mains. Delicious food with great service. Will be back.

Food:			Visit: Fri 29 May 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: louk | 18 January 2009, 10.58am

Would definitely recommend Bluestone for a special occasion, food was a little pricy but sooo delicious. The service/waiter was lovely, it was a nice experience, would go again.

Food:			Visit: Sat 17 January 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: bambino | 26 April 2008, 4.10pm

It was 6.30pm when we arrived. Greeted by a friendly restuarant manager. The dim but sufficiently well-lit restaurant gave a warm and relaxing feeling. It is even more a pleasure evening by the greeting of friendly staff who knew the menu well and also the wine list.

Good food - good quality ingredients and fresh. Food was also delivered at the right timings - not too quick and also not too long.

Will not mind dining there again if they do change the menu frequently for the mains and also for special occasions.

Food:			Visit: Sun 20 April 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: mizor | 26 October 2007, 3.45pm

We were lucky enough to come to Bluestone during their 7th Birthday celebrations and had the option of their special "7 Deadly Sins" degustation menu which was a perfect introduction to the fine food and wine offered. Very reasonably priced, beautiful food, relaxed yet professional service and nice atmosphere. Highly recommended - can't wait to return!

Food:			Visit: Sat 15 September 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: beingfrank | 1 September 2007, 6.17pm

We had our wedding at Bluestone and it's one of our favourite restaurants, so we decided to have dinner there to celebrate our anniversary. We were presented with champagne on our arrival, and the staff serving us congratulated us on our anniversary.

The food was very good overall. The scallop entree was subtle and perfectly cooked. However following it with the flatfish special was a little overwhelming. Both were good, but the fish suffered from comparison to the scallops when it would have been lovely following an entree with a different blend of flavours.

We finished up with the dessert platter even though we were really full because it sounded so great, and it was fantastic and well worth it.

The service was flawless, attentive yet not encroaching, and just lovely.

Food:			Visit: Fri 31 August 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: j06 | 27 June 2007, 3.03pm

The restaurant itself was nice and the service excellent. The food was cooked perfectly and was quite nice however nothing really special. I don't think it was worth $36 a main. For those prices I expect a dish that is impressive, not just competently prepared. The night we went (4 people for a birthday) all the other customers were businessmen which didn't create the nicest atmoshpere.

Food:			Visit: Thu 21 June 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Dennis76 | 2 June 2006, 10.39am

After looking on yourrestaurants.com.au for a great place to relax, Bluestone was chosen. A better choice would be hard to make as the relaxed atmosphere, great service and warm setting made for a lovely, relaxing evening.
The drinks were difficult to decide upon, as the wine list and range of spirits was exceptional. The food in the bar downstairs was fantastic, with a gourmet pizza costing $15. I would recommend the food to others looking for a light dinner.

There will certainly be future visits to this friendly and hospitable bar and restaurant.

Food:			Visit: Thu 1 June 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 17 March 2006, 2.23pm

When my husband and I visited Bluestone Restaurant during a recent holiday in Melbourne we enjoyed an absolutely wonderful dining experience.
The international and relaxing ambience of the restaurant, the delicious food, fine wines and friendly service shown to us by the well-trained staff, surpassed our expectations.

Helena Downie
Chelsea, London, UK

Food:			Visit: Fri 17 March 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Unregistered user | 8 March 2006, 6pm

I was upsold the signature dish of scallops which were fabulous, plus a gorgeous beef for main cooked perfectly. Friendly but professional service and an intimate elegant environment - all round, highly recommended.

Food:			Visit: Tue 7 March 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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