deckhouse

unrefined - nowhere near the finest in sydney. arrived just after 5:30 pm for a wedding and had been told in advance that the wharf would be open from this time for guest parking. i was also in charge of delivering the cake (3 tier, requires 2 people to carry). i was stopped at the wharf to say that the wharf was 'still working' today and it would not be open to guests at all. was told to drive back up and find parking somewhere else and figure things out for myself. not a great start. found out later that they had miraculously 'stopped working' the dock as cars were being let in to park no less than 15 minutes after i had driven back up to the council car park ($4.50 p/hour).

got inside and waiters seemed antsy when guests (most with small children) were using the side doors to access the restrooms. did not understand why doors could not stay open (this was open later on in the evening) as it is kind of hard to walk past many tables of guests with a fussy child and through the dance floor to access restrooms from the other end of the hall.

my partner asked for a drink only to be told by the waitress that she was only serving the two or three tables to our right and that we had a designated waiter who was probably in the kitchen. no one came for about 15 minutes. said waitress then came back and offered to fetch us a drink. do not understand this protocol??? also, my table of 10 ended up with 4 snapper mains (quite a dry dish) and 6 beefs (not so bad for bulk catering. it was tender and cooked medium-well done). think some waiters have issues with meaning of 'alternate'? we asked about this only to be ignored. we had two sides: broccolini (there were 5 pieces to share for table of 10) and a mixed leaf with pumpkin and beetroot - it looked like a side salad for 1-2 (again for 10 people).

cakeage was $5 per person (200 guests, that's an additional $600) to serve wedding cake - could have been cut more evenly and arranged on a platter more neatly and not slanted. looked rushed. not everyone on my table was offered 'tea or coffee'. some were not asked. some were only offered coffee. our water glasses were probably refilled once during the whole evening. did not have self-serve jugs on tables like other places.

ifdeckhousewant to charge the prices that they do (beware, lots of "additional" charges many other places consider inclusive in package), then they need to lift their game. also had a few sound/audio issues but that may be user error. there's not much of a view in darkness so couples may want to reconsider this if view is what they are after. you'd be better off in by the water somewhere closer to the city. it is somewhat lacking of the refined service and decor provided by other sydney establishments and i would recommend thorough research before deciding on this location for the price they charge.

edit 19/05/2015: dedesgroup questions if this post is genuine which is a huge insult. i can assure you that this is genuine (why would i bother wasting my time otherwise?) and the bride and groom will be in touch. in addition, i would like to add that i caught up with the bride and groom (yeah, we're pretty close - i think it's called being family) and discussed additional points that guests (who i guess aren't as important in terms of being a customer as their feedback isn't "genuine") did not pick up:

1. the table settings were incorrect. most importantly, the groom's family table was put in the wrong spot next to the bar instead of next to the bridal table. the bride's family table was placed on the other side next to the bridal table (i.e. positioned correctly). this gives the image on inequality and is a huge disrespect in my culture. other tables were numbered wrongly also.
2. working crew (e.g., band members, photographers, etc) meals were not served on time or at the time agreed upon which then threw the schedule of entertainment out.
3. wharf parking was supposed to be for the whole wharf area. when the wharf was opened, cars were only permitted to park on a fraction of the area agreed upon. see photo attached - we were allowed to park only in the space to the right of the star not the whole wharf area (about 15-20 cars double/triple parked).
4. bride asked for black coloured cushions on the tiffany chairs. we had white coloured cushions on the night. these were also an additional cost per chair, as are chair covers, sashes, etc. again, about $5 each.
5. wedding/event coordinator who bridal couple had liaised with to organise event was there at the beginning of the night. no sign of her after an hour or so. was not told where she went or who was in charge after that.

love coming down todeckhousewith partner on a sunny morning for breakfast. we always order the big breakfast, the portion is just right for us. we always like to sit outside on the deck enjoying the gorgeous view and the staff are all so friendly. it is such a pleasant atmosphere and attentive service.

i first visiteddeckhouseto check out its potential as a function venue on the weekend. i was really drawn towards the lively atmosphere of the cafe. as a result, we decided to return for breakfast on a weekday to take advantage of the quieter environment and the lovely water view.

the menu on zomato is out of date and you'll find the most updated from their website.

i chose the breakfast bowl as i was after something fresh. the dish was tasty but was more rich and intense in flavour than the fresh and light impression it gave on the menu. the egg was cooked the way i like it, the onsen japanese style. the pickled cauliflower was also delicious. the 'crispy kale' is deep fried and quite oily and i would have liked a bit more quinoa. i'd definitely order this dish again but i'd ask for fresh instead of crispy kale.

the highlight of the big breakfast dish was the duck sausage, so tasty! other elements all pretty standard but well prepared. the tomato relish was quite strong in flavour and we found it overpowering.

deckhouse is in the entertainment book where you'll receive one free dish when another of equal or greater value is purchased.

******

14/4/18
revisited to try their lunch menu. service is excellent just like previous visit. tried three different mains - barramundi, trout and lamb.

there was a bit of drama with the barramundi dish as the thickest portion of fillet was all stuck together. i asked the waiter about it and was told it's undercooked and he took the dish away and explained another will be remade. later, another waitress came and explained it was supposed to be like this. i was really confused because i was being told different things. in the end they brought another of the same dish, and it was cooked very well and flesh did not stick together.

the trout with roe was yummy but salty. the lamb was very tender, i would recommend this dish if you are a fan of lamb. we also had a serving of their chips with aioli, not cheap but it was very crispy with nice batter and seasoning.

i visiteddeckhousea few times and disappointingly the menu has not changed a bit. so why did i keep going back you might ask. it's all about location location location! the restaurant has a great view over look the harbour so it's perfect for selfies or postcard photos! make sure you get a window seat to enjoy the harbour bridge view. the food atdeckhouseis ok. salmon and scallops are slightly overcooked and the sauce is bit plain but i do like their panna cotta and banana parfait. overall it's a pleasant place to enjoy a lazy long lunch with family and friends.

thedeckhouseis situated right on the water at woolwich with stunning city views that spills into the restaurant through the high windows. when we arrived we were greeted by polite staff who showed us to our seating for our brunch reservation. . the restaurant is spacious and there is ample seating both inside and out to enjoy the beautiful surrounds.

expecting nice coffee & lunch at woolwichdeckhousecafe with water view this sunday afternoon 26th june, we were greeted with ignorance & unprofessionalism from 1 of the older gentleman servicing customer. we visited the bar area, asking the lady bartender if we could have coffee here & sit on the outside area. she said that is fine. as soon as we open the door to outside lunch area, a dismissive grey hair male attendant told us, u should have talked to me 1st. we said u r not here, the lady told us we can sit out. u can order ur coffee here at the counter. we told him we haven't seen the drink menu yet. r u here for lunch too? we might, again we have not seen the menu. then he asked where outside we r going to sit, we said we have not been in there, we don't know. he reluctantly let us in the verandah to choose a table. he then said he'll bring out the menu. 7minutes later, still no menu. we decided this place not worth our time, he is no where to be found at the front counter. after greeted by such a power tripper of a reception, who in the right mind will ever come back or recommend this cafe to anyone else?! no apologies for not being in the counter, no welcoming smile, how on earth he is in charge at the forefront!? this is customer disservice & i will strongly discourage anyone from even getting their morning tea atdeckhousecafe!!

a lovely spring day in sydney and an impromptu decision to lunch on the waterfront led us to thedeckhousewoolwich. magic location.
we were grateful to the waitress who cleared a window table so this melbourne girl could enjoy a perfect view across the bay to the sydney harbour bridge.
the food was delicious! i had the special - swordfish with potato mash and a butter sauce with teeny tiny little sweet tomatoes.
a view to die for, great food and wine and impeccable service (along with great company) made a wonderful lunch combo. i heartily recommend the deckhouse.

freezing morning, had a booking but only outside avail. staff were accommodating finding us an inside table! food arrived promptly and was nice. a touch on the pricy side for breakfast though. love thedeckhouselocation, looking forward to booking for a future reception/event.

mr c. i booked a table at thedeckhouseand asked if i could have a table near a window. upon arriving we were told that the only tables available were against the interior wall or near the entrance to the room. .five minutes after being there a table became vacant near a view window and we watched another vacant table with a view remain empty right up to the time we left at the 3.00pm closing. i also noticed, having been there before with my girlfriend, that the interior decor was different to the last time i was there. it looked more like a cafeteria with cheap looking shabby chic chairs that were totally out of place for such a high class venue on the waterside. i was upset that in booking the venue with such a beautiful view a table with a view was denied us. the view we could have enjoyed was viewed by an empty table.

thedeckhouseproposition is promising, the staff very attentive and friendly... unfortunately the brunch and coffee was only average.

worth a second go though :)

hidden away on woolwich dock with spectacular harbour views, thedeckhouseis the perfect location for a family breakfast or lunch. they cater brilliantly for children with activity packs, highchairs, a children’s menu and plenty of space to run outside.

let down by the food. i'm so disappointed that the food atdeckhouselet down our whole experience. we had made a brunch reservation for six but two friends joined us at the last minute. the staff were very accommodating and quickly added an extra table to our reserved table to seat the eight of us. wait staff were friendly greeting us with a smile as we walked to our table. water was promptly poured into each of our glasses (though i must say some glasses looked less clean than others!). our drink orders were taken, our menu queries answered knowledgeably, and the waiter was very patient while we decided on our orders. all in all, up until this point the experience was fantastic. not to mention we were seated close to the window and had amazing water views. the drinks came out about ten minutes before the food but we didn't mind too much as we slowly sipped on our coffees and juices while happily chatting away until the food arrived. when the food was placed in front of us it looked delicious and the portions were very generous. six of us had ordered either eggs benedict or eggs florentine and all were uniformly presented. it was upon trying to eat the food that things went downhill. the sourdough was way overdone, the eggs were way overdone (hard boiled as opposed to poached!), and the hollandaise was more of a paste than a creamy sauce! trying to get a knife through the toasted sourdough was near impossible. crusts went flying all across the table! a few of us decided to forgo the knife and fork and use hands instead. our teeth did not appreciate the experience! i mean, the toast wasn't burnt it was just rock hard!! the flavours of the food were actually nice (once you managed to take a bite!) but it was nowhere near the quality you would expect to be presented with at a cafe. you could forgive them for overdoing maybe one or two plates, but all six?! as lovely as the atmosphere and views were atdeckhousecafe, i don't think it makes up for the food. if i were to go back (unlikely) i would steer clear of anything with toast and opt for pancakes instead!

the view is what it's about. i have been to thedeckhousea number of times for brunch and/or lunch. on a pleasant day the view is superb, the food and service no so much. like other posters i found that while the staff were mostly pleasant they obviously hadn't received much training. the food was nothing to write home about. i repeat, the view is what it's about.

beautiful view and delicious food. went there for brunch a few weeks ago. it was during the week and very quiet when we arrived (only one other table). we sat out on the deck and the view and ambiance was just perfect. we all enjoyed our meals. while the staff were very pleasant, they were a little inattentive (especially given that there were only a few tables occupied). for example, i had to get up and go inside to ask someone to provide us with more water and take our orders for extra coffees. i would certainly go there again for the view, but it would be nice if thedeckhousepayed a little more attention to improving the level of customer service.

i love the deckhouse, i hate the deckhouse!. the view and the matradee, (and the view of the matradee) are the only bright spots in an otherwise deeply flawed experience, it should be so so good!

having visited thedeckhousehalf a dozen times i should know better, or at least i should expect less. the view is stunning, the decor, what little there is, is tasteful and understated and so it should be, the view is that good. the menu is great, especially for breakfast as brunch. but that's where the seams seem to tear, service is haphazard and disorganised at best, negligent at worst. beyond the matradee, the staff are hopeless, and the dna of underperformance extends to the kitchen.

8 orders, 6 errors, plates as much as 10 minutes apart, one correction a further 10 minutes away, and that one arrived burnt - ouch. the perennial upsell (drinks) were in the too hard bucket, and the bill was wrong.

did i mention the views? chances are i'll go back, but next time i promise i'll expect little, i may well be surprised