Lagoon Restaurant - NORTH WOLLONGONG

Two of us had lunch here yesterday and on reading the previous reviews were somewhat concerned it may be a poor dining experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. We live in Wollongong and have been here many times although not in the last...year so it was disappointing to read the very negative reviews. Firstly a wonderful greeting from front of house Rosa who seated us and was extremely attentive and engaging and who seated us near the front for a top view. Then our waiter the very engaging and helpful Dakota, for whom nothing was too much trouble, took our orders. The Sommelier was also very attentive filling wine and water glasses regularly. The only mixup with the food was that a half dozen oysters were not as ordered but the other half dozen were correct. Dakota offered immediate replacement but as I’d already started on the delicious Kilpatrick I was happy to keep going. We ordered the steamed whole Snapper and the Jumbo Queensland Prawns, grilled with a wonderful sauce, and both dishes were perfectly cooked and delicious. We followed with one desert and a piece of the cheese also good. So all up we had a lovely lunch and recommended the restaurant highly. However, to avoid any doubts that this may be an “inside” review the reader can read my earlier review for the coffee kiosk on the deck where I gave one star and was highly critical. I’ve since found out it’s a separate operation. Yes it’s correct to say the decor is somewhat dated and I had to swap a dirty wine glass for a clean one but the food in our experience was excellent and the young staff extremely engaging, professional and helpful. We look forward to a return visit well done to all staff mentioned.

Returned to this restaurant as we received a voucher for a gift. We had been here a few years ago and had vowed never to return due to the soggy seafood. This visit was even worse. The place is in need of an upgrade. There...was a very unpleasant smell in the room when we arrived. Perhaps the carpet had never been cleaned? Our wine glasses were dirty and had to be sent back and then one of our water glasses had congealed food on it as well and had to be returned. If a restaurant has a dishwasher and proper quality control this shouldn’t happen. Are they being washed properly or just rinsed? We had octopus for the entree. It was ok but wondered why you would serve an Asian flavoured dish with a salad that didn’t match. The fish dishes were nicely cooked, however, some of the vegetables left a lot to be desired. Don t even bother with the side garden salad. The toilets were pretty filthy, including leaking taps. Such a disappointment as premium prices are charged. There are plenty of other fabulous places near so I would definitely avoid this restaurant.

We have been to this restaurant on many occasions. We were dined as a couple and have attended large wedding functions. The service and food has always been great, Unfortunately on Australia Day this was not the case. We arrived at to be told...that the kitchen was closing at due to the public holiday and the staff being so flat out all day. We made our choices quickly but unfortunately we were still waiting for our first drink some minutes later. For an entree oysters cold two different ways served, with no cutlery. We asked for appropriate cutlery and some minutes later were given a teaspoon that was dirty. We spoke to another waiter who apologised and told us that they had not had time to wash the cutlery but did get us a clean spoon. We ordered a bottle of wine and eventually we were served our main meal that were lovely. Not once during the meal was the wine poured for us. We were eating a seafood platter and a lobster but no bibs that are usually offered, offered. We were given finger bowls that you could fit fingers at a time in. We were hit with a public holiday surcharge. Surcharges are fine as wages have to be paid. If you only have half the staff only take half of the bookings that way patrons will not get annoyed at lack of service and had been charged additionally for that. It should also be noted that the party of six locals that had been there for a long lunch should have been refused service long before the closing of the night.

Saturday night. Music was pumping due to weddings that's OK however we were kind of warned we're very busy Restaurant also very packed. That's their choice. Especially with inexperienced? waiters The staff were all very green; they tried their best but have not...been trained on service standards that you'd expect from the Lagoon (like their competitor down the road). And there were lots of them making it feel chaotic. Napkins not placed on our laps. Not once! did they check on how we were, if we wanted a drink. I had to signal them every time. Every drink came in a hot glass. Beers not poured into glasses (if you actually got a glass). Wine glass bowl was gripped by waiter in her full hand and brought to the table gross normally, worse during Covid. Hubby loves oysters and chose thai chilli with citrus dressing option what arrived was not as expected (light brown crusty topping) and tasted very fishy destroying the oyster flavour. Unbelievably he couldn't eat them all. Waiter tried to find out information for us on this but clearly the kitchen didn't care. After an hour and seeing others get their main course I asked about ours. It had been missed. My salmon with tabbouleh was VERY dry. I asked for some sauce to bring it together and was provided more of the eggplant puree and a lemon butter dressing much better. Barramundi and prawn main was good. This was not a cheap dinner either top prices remain hence the expectation for better. Hopefully they will review and improve or adjust what type of restaurant they are or what they can manage well during covid. At this time, it's not worth the price.

What a terrible experience we had. We usually come here once a month, not any more. The last time we came we ordered a decent bottle of wine only to be told by a staff member : did they shake it up because I’ve worked...in a winery and that’s what you should do if the wine has sediment in it. ? Seriously have you not heard of decanting a decent wine, obviously not. We have always liked this place so we gave it another go. Today we ordered our entree nice. I had fresh prawns other had tempura. Both ok. We then were looking at the mains and decided to order a bottle of red. They had Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz on offer. So we tried to order then advised we have cab sav available and Shiraz. Why on earth did you give us a full menu listing at the beginning with no explanation that you don’t have any wines available. We asked for a few different bottles and the staff checked and came back to us with no we don’t have it, was there any managers around? Apparently no they are on holidays. It was a horrible experience and we certainly won’t be coming back until they pick up their game. The staff blamed it all on covid. Yes it can be difficult but we have been to other restaurants in the Illawarra and they have their finger on the pulse. Enjoy your holiday managers the place is going downhill fast.