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5.0
836 reviews
Excellent
730
Very good
70
Average
22
Poor
8
Terrible
6
Tamara B
34 contributions
May 2020 • none
The new venue gives you the ability to see the chefs work in their environment which is always a treat. We went for the EXP chefs tasting experience a relaxing paced set menu highlighting favourites were the kingfish, little hill chicken and EXP ego, not so sure about the Apple and celeriac pie though. We enjoyed having the chef serve some of our dishes to put table, it was evident his heart and soul was in these dishes. Opening night was a success in my opinion, we will be back again
Written 29 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea D
Shellharbour4 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
My wife and I booked a table on a Saturday night.
Most of the couples will be seated on the "Chef's Bar" on stools.
I highly recommend these seats because you can always watch how the Chef meticulously prepared his beloved meals.
He arranged delicious gluten and dairy free options for my wife.
No loud music so you can easily talk with your partner and sometimes even with the Chef himself.
The waiters take care of everything and, also, accurately describe the plates in front of you and the paired wine (there's actually an option with that).
You feeled so happy and relaxed after dinner and I reckon not many restaurants can accomplish that.
Highly recommended and hopefully to go back there soon.
Written 3 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth M
Crescent Head9 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Exquisite; unique; amazingly fresh local ingredients put together in such interesting and tasty ways. Have been once before for dinner and loved it - surprised that lunch was equally wonderful. Calm ambience also a plus: chef has a lovely way about him when he delivers each dish and describes its ingredients. We’ll be back!
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney47280 contributions
June 2020 • couples
We visited EXP after the COVID restrictions and although the restaurant was still following the number rules we were super pleased we booked ahead for a reservation.
The restaurant is small and cosy with only a few tables and spaces on the kitchen bench. We found the service to be friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.
The food was outstanding with a degustation menu with specials added for an extra cost. It was $100 per person plus $70 for matching wines which made it an expensive night. However, we thought it well worth the experience at the newly relocated restaurant.
Written 22 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thoughts For A Foodie
Sydney5 contributions
Jan 2021 • couples
The food here is immaculate! The dining experience was near perfect, the ambiance of the place with the collaboration of acoustic versions of big named songs,the staff seemed calmed and collected and we didn’t feel like we had to rush out. The duck ham focaccia and kangaroo were the highlights of the night aswell as the house cooked sourdough. The wine list is extensive and gives a good option between local and international wine. It’s hard to find a fault to our EXPerience when the staff are as professional as they are, but can also have a laugh with you
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness651242
North Sydney14 contributions
Jan 2021 • couples
What an amazing EXPerience and dinner! I went there with my husband, sat at the bar and would recommend that as you get to talk to the chef and see what they’re doing (unless you’d like a very romantic dinner). Sitting by the bar (and working in restaurants as a student), you can see the interraction between the chefs, waiters - all I can say what a great team! There was no panic, no rush, super good athmosphere. The food was really tasty, fresh, good flavours combo. We chose the wine pairing and that was also a very good choice! Fav dishes: wagyu tartare and “ham and toast”. I would definitely recommend this place and can’t wait to go back.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris t
4 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
We had our Experience on Sunday night, sitting at the bar, watching the chefs put together amazingly prepared snacks and taste bud blowing meals for our delight. Like a well oiled machine these guys went 110% from the time we sat down to the time we left nearly 2 hours later. Go for the wine pairing, the wines were interesting and paired well with the food on the plate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Written 4 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xalx
119 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
Genuinely, I think that was the best meal I have ever eaten.
The service is fantastic, with the wait staff so polite but also personable and friendly, they find the perfect balance of fine dining with down to earth warmth.
Atmosphere was warm, and the open kitchen a bit of a novelty to enjoy watching the two chefs at work. The covid guidelines clearly followed precisely but not at all invasive to the evening.
The food was simply exceptional, both vegetarian and the standard menu.
Thanks team for a lovely evening.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin Tourist Park
Tamworth18 contributions
July 2022 • none
After two other restaurants showed reluctance and hesitated to give three children (7,9, and 11) a fine dining experience, Harry and EXP stepped up on short notice to fill in the gap.
On arrival Katrina opened the door to give the three a fine dining and cuisine education experience that was par excellence! A set menu of 12 different tastes that all in our party, ate, discussed with Katrina and Harry. All food was thoroughly enjoyed, and it was beyond expectations! Harry, the sommelier, discussed wines, answered questions and gave an appreciation for every diner at our table. Small ears were certainly listening!
The Chefs – Frank and Jayden – were equally amazing. They allowed our three to sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, and to watch as they prepared dishes. All questions were answered – from both sides – while food and flavours were discussed with relish!
If you are someone who believe that children should eat nuggets and chips or fish and chips – this is not your restaurant, even if you are an adult! EXP is an educational experience that is rare in the Hunter Valley, and should be enjoyed by all.
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Frank, Jayden, Katrina, Harry and the back staff for your patience, inspirational food educational and an awesomely memorable dinner out! Another thank-you to the other guests who shared the experience with us without complaint.
Finally, as to a rating, Miss Seven has it best. If we could give it “a billion thousands of stars” then we would! Thanks Again!
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merls1011
Newcastle368 contributions
July 2021 • friends
EXP is an absolute dining experience, having dined multiple times previously at their Oakvale Winery site the venue annexed to Fawk foods and bakery did not dissappoint. The food and service are just amazing and is a must visit for foodies visiting the Hunter Valley vineyards.
Hatted restaurants sometimes do not deliver but after eating at EXP some 12 time it certainly does.
AAA rating👍
Written 2 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex H
Sydney16 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
We visited here on our honeymoon and enjoyed the tasting menu and wine pairing immensely. We had a seat at the bar and enjoyed watching the chef at work and seeing it all come together. The food was divine - loved the prawns and the magnum ice cream interpretation. Make sure you elect for all the optional courses too. Seemed to cater for dietary requirements with no issue, even had a separately printed pescatarian menu for me. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for great food and atmosphere in the Hunter Valley. We also got to talk to the chef at the end of service which was a nice touch.
We booked an 8pm sitting and weren’t seated until after 8.15, so would suggest the restaurant not offer an 8pm booking time to allow more buffer.
Can’t wait to come back!
Written 26 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie-Christine K
Sydney20 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
Having to reschedule twice due to lockdown, we finally made it and what an EXPerience. Sitting at the bar added an extra dimension, with the chefs’ and waiters’ work perfectly choreographed. All dishes were so creative, surprising with each bite an EXPlosion of flavours. This was an anniversay celebration we will not forget. Thank you all, you have surpassed our EXPectations.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emily
Blue Mountains61 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
We sat at the bar, so glad we did as it was our first time engaging in this kind of experience. It was so refreshing to be able to see exactly how our food was prepared and have a one on one experience with the chef who was making it. Absolutely loved it!
The staff were exceptionally friendly, informative and attentive.
The food and wine was served absolutely perfectly, the exact right amount of time between food and drink.
All the meals have exceptional presentation and attention to detail. They all tasted devine, along with the paired wines.
Their cleanliness at the end of the night is also extremely high. Everything here is absolutely top notch. Cannot fault them. Would highly recommend for those who love degustation type meals. So happy to have had this experience! Thank you so much!
Written 24 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim M
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • couples
Hands down the best meal we have ever had. We had an early dinner booking and arrived early - the attentive staff sat us outside until the actual booking time. The food and experience was absolutely amazing. We sat at the bar and watched the head chef and his staff in an impeccably well run kitchen. We splashed out and added the extra items as well as paired wines to our meal. The flavours we enjoyed were so good. Fantastic experience. It’s like having dinner and a show!
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danoleary55
5 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Could Paroo Kangaroo become a signature that people go for, could it be the “Ham On Toast” or maybe Mother Fungus Mushroom. Exp has been here for a while now, however it seems hard work and real effort is pushing it towards being one of the top restaurants in the country. Yes these things change however in this moment as the name implies you will have an EXPerience. There are a couple of courses that I am sure can be refined, the Hiramasa Kingfish and the Salted Zucchini, while excellent their refinement and or improvement will see the next level achieved. Where else do you have Duck, Duck, Duck, go and you will know. There is no white glove fuss or stuffiness at EXP, it's a relaxed degustation of ~12 small dishes that is presented over 6 presentations. More recognition is deserved and I am sure it will come. Service is good, attentive however not in your face or overbearing. Ambience is dark, moody and relaxing.
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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