I now know why Rookie is on the top ten list of NSW eateries- fantastic.
We chose the 5 course banquet where you get to taste 5 components of the menu, there is also a 3 course along with an 8 course which consists of all menu items.
Each and every course was brilliantly balanced with superb flavours & textures from the Kingfish sushimi to the pork belly with scollaps.
The food was amazing, service near perfect and atmosphere fantastic.
This place is in an old house that has been a restaurant for at least 20 years, it’s had a fresh update and feels good just to be there.
Rookie is worthy of its place on the top ten NSW eateries list, thank you Rookie and we will be back.
The most fabulous gastronomic experience in Wollongong. Casual 5 star dining at its best. Attentive staff who know the menu, wonderful modern food and great value for money. My only complaint is that this review only allows to rate Rookie 5 star. See you again soon.
Fantastic meal. Everything very delicious and cooked perfectly with great flavour. Lovely service. Only problem was there was too much food with the degustation which left no room for dessert (although they kindly let us change from 3 courses to 2) and very loud.
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Elegantly appointed, with a charisma of white painted picket fenced walls - that is my first impression of the Rookie Eatery on entering through its front door. I felt like coming to a bud's home, after climbing up a small wooden stairs like in a Queenslander - and yet the inside reminds me of being back in New Zealand, sans the cold weather but with the South Coast NSW warmth.Every dining table has fitting white cloths over it. The dining area can be seen separated in two sections, with the kitchen prep section transparent and the windows retro and adding to the over all good feel. The menu does change in the past year and the place was abuzz with diners even on a week night. Dishes offered ooze with detail, care and thought. It is BYO for wine at lunch time and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. There is a share plate of Sirloin beef, with de Paris butter, for two guests plus a degustation menu available. The drinks menu in house is extensive and balanced.Our main customer engagement staff hailed from Dunedin, she is petite, has a sense of humour and was working all over the restaurant that evening. We would have loved to say hello to the chef as well. Our plates and cutlery were changed before each offering. We could not run dry of drinks, even the San Pellegrino water. Tables can be considered placed tightly against one another but every one that evening did not seem to mind.
Excellent service, solid wine list (with a few outstanding but good value options) and delicious food. Entrées are particularly impressive. Will definitely be back.
Lunch there today .. We chose the feed me 2 course option then added a dessert and an afogatto... Entrees ... Light Asian style interesting and exciting .. Loved the sashimi style entree with miso cream and the dessert to die for .. Mandarin deconstruction ..Mains were somewhat boring and did not live up to the expectations delivered by the entrees...Waygu with seared cabbage and a strange pink mustard cream and fish with not much else on the plate..Wine list was small but strong and well priced .. The decor is light white and understated which I enjoyed... The service was excellent ...At $182 for 2 including a 10% tip it's an expensive lunch in Wollongong with some bright notes....
Amazing. Favourite restaurant in Wollongong. We had the degustation last time, every meal was great! The service was good, love the waitresses outfits. Nice touch.
Rookie Eatery is described contemporary Australian cuisine. I'm glad they are here at the Gong as we can't always travel to Sydney.
Food/flavours: Impressed with the flavour profile. Fresh ingredients. Neat presentations. Prawn ravioli tasted great with the sauce, pasta felt slightly chewy. Mains were a hit. Salad was delicious. Dessert are always subjective, but they have a variety for your tastebuds (tangy, sweet, mild)
Service: Attentive and professional.
Price: Fine dining price...
Decor: Okay
Top dining experience with a variety of food from different regions across the globe, we had the tasting banquet and everything was great
Great food. Loved the duck and lamb mains. Salad and parfait very good. The wine is not as good as the food, and needs reviewin. Particularly the Chardonnay and Riesling have low ratings on Vivino and I agreed
Easily the best overall experience I’ve had in 6 years living in Australia. Great service, wine menu and food was to die for! Thanks for taking us in last minute and at the end of the night
Food was really tasty at an affordable price. We went for the "Feed me 2" course ($69 pp). The courses were beautifully presented and the staff were very attentive, with each dish coming out at a reasonable pace. Our favourite dish was the Maryland duck. Portion sizes are not big so if you are after a big feed then you may be a bit disappointed. The only thing that was really annoying were all the flies buzzing around in the room.
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