If half points were available, then I would rate this resturant 3.5/5 instead. Until then...

Visited Criniti's in the city for the first time with work colleagues for a Christmas party. After hearing rave reviews, I was pretty excited to see what all the fuss was about. I've had negative Italian food experiences before, so it was wonderful to eat something that actually tasted moderately Italian.

For starters, I tried the artichoke and roasted capsicum on bruschetta, and zucchini flowers stuffed with goat's cheese. Although etiquette dictates that eating with fingers is a no-no, cutting the bread was quite tough with a knife and fork. The artichoke was nicely done, not too overcooked, and the cheese tied it together. The zucchini flowers got mostly negative reviews from our table, but I genuinely enjoyed it. The batter on the flower was just light enough not to smother the actual flower, but heavy enough to keep it from falling apart. As I have an affinity for cheese, the filling was simply divine.

For mains, I decided to indulge in the Garlic Prawns, which came submerged in a tomato sauce, accompanied with two pieces of bruschetta bread. The prawns were simply delectable. However, the sauce itself left a bit to be desired. It was not particularly garlicky, and tasted rather bland (as though it were made from canned tomatoes). For that price, I would hope it was made from fresh tomatoes. Seasoning was a little underhanded as well. The dish was fine, filling and well-portioned, but didn't quite kick a punch like I had hoped.

Drinks were a whole other affair. The wait between ordering a drink was long enough that I started to notice (approximately 10-15 minutes). I am aware of the fact that it was very busy, but in my experience, drinks don't necessarily take too long to prepare. We started off with the "Putana" which incited a lot of giggles. It was a nice shade of pink, but uncomfortably bitter. The mandarin-infused vodka was also unpleasant - tasted as though the rind was used in the infusion process, rather than the juice, resulting in another bitter drink. However, I would blame that on Absolut, not Criniti's (but I don't recommend it overall). Absinthe was ordered as well, slightly daring. Strong as it was, it seemed to have been poured straight out of the bottle and given on the rocks. Once again, for the price you pay, you would assume that the drink would undergo the process of the louche. Their modestly titled 'w.p', delightfully called 'wet pussy' by yours truly, was barely a crowd pleaser and its contents were considered to be 'lolly water.'

The hit drinks were 'The Underworld' and 'Lights Out.' Both made with absinthe, they tasted delicious and were devoid of that bitter essence I so hate. If you're at Criniti's, be sure to try these two cocktails! They were delightful and memorable.

The service was decent, considering how busy it was. The waitstaff attended our table numerous times (probably given how big our party was). However, the waitress neglected to take my order for our mains and it took a few 'excuse mes' for her to realise. Irritating as that was, the servers were friendly.

I most likely wouldn't return to Criniti's unless it were a formidable event, because I personally don't think the prices are justified. While the food was tasty, the prices were slightly overwhelming. A good first experience, but there is always room for improvement.

Approximate cost: $35

Sumo Salad's motto is "The Healthiest Fast Food Franchise." With numerous, oily eating options proliferating food courts throughout Sydney, it's a breath of fresh air to attend a franchise that is dedicated to healthier everyday choices.

Across the board, Sumo Salad have a variety of meals available. You can make your own salad, choose one of their pre-made salads or a specialised salad off their menu which they make in front of you. I personally favour the opportunity of making my own salad. This way, there's no opportunity for excess, undesired ingredients. Additionally, it's a fantastic way to experiment with different flavours and dressings. If you're looking to purchase a salad off their menu, I would recommend either the Pumpkin and Pinenut salad or the Summer Prawn salad. Both are fabulous and the flavours combine to make a mouth-watering experience. I do, however, think their Smoked Salmon salad leaves a fair bit to be desired - the dressing used alienates each element from each other, making it rather unappetising. However, their fetta cheese is like a comforting friend and tastes outstanding in virtually everything.

The service is prompt and I've never had an issue with the staff. The only issue that I would have is that a salad is different every time I've tried it. Consistency doesn't seem to be prevalent, as I've ordered the exact same salad three times in a row and have experienced perceptible differences in taste. I find this to be an irksome experience, because I am a fan of consistency.

Nonetheless, Sumo Salad is one of the places I keep revisiting. It's very easy to try something new as their menu is accommodating. Furthermore, I do believe they are the healthiest option in Penrith. In a land of grease processed meats, some fresh produce is an utter delight.

Approximate cost: $8.95

I have a mantra that I stick by faithfully: "I know what I like, and I like what I know." This applies to Sushi Bay, Parramatta without fail.

I visit Sushi Bay on a moderately frequent basis - after university or in general when catching up with friends. The sushi train is always a nail-biting experience, and the selection is large enough that virtually everything looks appetizing. My favourites are the tuna & avocado, and chicken & avocado. The portions always find the favourable middle ground, which is to say that they are neither stingy nor sloppy. The chicken is always fried perfectly, and the avocado never dominates. However, the tuna has a tendency to taste canned. It might be better if it were freshly cooked, but nonetheless is still a plate I like to pick up.

Every now and then, I prefer to eat plain avocado or cucumber sandwiches. They're not always available on the train, but it is easy enough to ask the waitstaff or even the chefs directly for an unavailable plate. I have always been responded with enthusiasm and prompt making of my dish, and I appreciate this as a consumer.

The service has never been lacking in the tens of times I have been here. Always greeted when you enter the restaurant, the waitstaff are kind and helpful. The seating arrangements of Parramatta Sushi Bay far outweigh those of Blacktown - there are ample amounts of tables, so if you dine with larger parties, you don't necessarily have to sit in a row (which makes for difficult conversation). If it's particularly busy, they'll make you wait. Thankfully, the longest I've had to wait was a mere five minutes. The place is always spotless -- no stray rice or soy sauce droplets. The waitresses are also always aware, so there's no need to awkwardly hail someone for the bill.

The ambience and food at Parramatta Sushi Bay is delightful, and is one of my go-to places with friends whenever I'm hungry. This is a relaxing, friendly and comforting environment where the food is always good.

Approximate cost: $5

I decided to have lunch with a friend at Sittano's on NYE. For something that claims to be 'Modern Italian Cuisine', I was severely disappointed -- barely a hint of Italian whatsoever.

The food, simply stated, was sub-par. I will echo the sentiments of other reviewers: for the price you pay, you would expect better food. The cheapest meals start at approximately $15 and work their way up. I ordered a small vegetarian pizza, which in my opinion is a quaint dish, but somehow turned out unappetizing. There was an excess of raw spanish onions and pineapple, yet the mushrooms were virtually non-existent. The cheese tasted cheap and heavy, and there was barely any flavouring through spice or herbs. I've had authentic Italian pizza before, and this wasn't it. My pizza tasted like it was ordered off the Pizza Hut menu. Filling and sizable as it was, it was not worth the money.

The service was fine, but nothing outstanding. We were promptly greeted and seated, and even though I had difficulty making up my mind on my order, our hostess was polite enough to revisit us as we made up our minds. She also brought us water promptly after asking, which was appreciated. However, right after we were seated another waitress brought us our cappuccinos -- ones that we apparently ordered. Considering there were literally only two other couples in the entire restaurant, I thought this mix-up was a tad awkward. While I certainly didn't mind, it might have been a different story on a busier night.

Ambience of the restaurant was fine, if a little lackluster. The music was fine, playing some old-school tracks. Waiting for our food didn't take a particularly long time either. However, I really only needed one outing to discover that Sittano's is not my choice of restaurant in Penrith, and I will most likely not be revisiting. There was not a hint of Italian in the environment whatsoever, and the food -- which I consider most important -- was barely tasty. Perhaps other choices from the menu are better, but pizza is not terribly difficult to make delicious.

Hopefully other consumers will have a better experience than I did.

Approximate cost: $20