Reviews by Sparkesy

This review is for Ellis Remedial Therapies, Moonah TAS

verified email - 06 Sep 2017

Nikki has been looking after my remedial massage needs for a few years now. She is absolutely fantastic at what she does and has even managed to make some progress on a chronic condition I've had for over 25 years.

I have a regular spot booked with Nikki every month and she certainly helps keep me at my best. Top Shelf

Approximate cost: $80

This review is for Cafe Grumento, Port Melbourne VIC

verified email - 14 May 2014

There is little to say other than "Amazing". We stumbled on this place on a recent holiday to Victoria and we are very glad we did.

We arrived in Port Melbourne to board the Spirit of Tasmania at the end of our journey and had some time to spare before boarding started so we went for a walk to find a coffee.

Not only was the coffee we had at this place spectacularly good (and not overpriced), the staff were warm and friendly. They even told us where we could park without the extortionist parking meter fees charged by the local council at Station Pier.

It was this initial interaction that prompted us to change our dinner plans to just grab a quick bite on the boat, to hang around and have a pizza at the cafe. The pizza was just as good as the coffee. Fairly priced, flavoursome (I can't remember exactly what it was other than being a gourmet one that my wife picked), and thoroughly enjoyable.

You can bet I'll be returning here whenever I'm catching the Spirit to Melbourne and back.

This review is for Solo Pasta And Pizza, Sandy Bay TAS

verified email - 17 Oct 2013

Before last weekend I'd never been to Solo. I'd heard many good things about it, but never got there.

Why did I wait so long???

My wife and I went for dinner with friends at the little Sandy Bay landmark. My first impressions were that the place was fairly small, and maybe a little cramped.

We were shown to our table by the friendly wait staff who guided us through the maze of customers awaiting their takeaway orders (another promising sign of good quality) to our seats about hafway down the restaurant.

The tables were fairly close together, which meant the we were almost struck by the flailing limbs of the energetic (albeit inconsiderate) young lady on the adjacent table a couple of times, but things quietened down pretty quickly once that group left.

Our waiter was very helpful and exceptionally friendly, if a little too "hands on" - there's something a little disconcerting about a waiter's hand trailing across your shoulders whilst you eat as he asks the table if everything is to our satisfaction.

Now we come to the food. Exquisite. We all had a variety of different dishes and nobody had a bad word to say about any of it. The servings were generous and the price was fair, without being an absolute bargain.

I would very happily return to Solo again in future.

This review is for The Bike Shop, Derwent Park TAS

verified email - 03 May 2013

I recently won a Mountain Bike in a charity fundraiser auction for a family devastated by the Tasmanian bushfires earlier this year.

I was advised the bike would be assembled by The Bike Shop and I would be advised once it was ready to be collected.

I made arrangements to collect the bike, then received a call to tell the bike wouldn't be ready that day, but the day after (a Wednesday). To make it easier for all parties, I offered to pick the bike up on the Saturday morning.

Upon my arrival to collect the bike, I was persusing helmets whilst the bike was brought out from the workshop.....along with a box of assorted parts.

When I queried the remaining parts, I was greeted with a very dismissive attitude telling me it was "just the reflectors", though the box contained more than just a couple of reflectors.

It seems my definition of assebled differs from that of this particular business.

The attitude cost them the sale of a helmet and other accessories, and I certainly would not consider returning there for anything.

This review is for DS Coffee House & Internet Lounge, Huonville TAS

verified email - 03 May 2013

My wife and I stopped in here for a bite of lunch on the way to visit family further down the Huon valley.

The venue was much more spacious than I expected, fitted out with very retro 70s kitchen tables and chairs.

The service we received was friendly and you got the feeling our host really enjoyed his work.

I ordered Nachos and was presented with quite a large serve. Well cooked and the relish/salsa was fantastic.

My wife had a toasted focaccia which she also rated quite highly. The coffee we had was also enjoyable

I certainly wouldn't hesitate in stopping there on my way through Huonville again.

This review is for Drunken Admiral, Hobart TAS

verified email - 04 Mar 2013

My wife and I dined here recently to celebrate our 6th anniversary. It had been recommended to me by a colleague who had raved about it.

We arrived at our designated booking time and found the place already quite full (which is impressive given they didn't actually open until our booking time).

The decor of the place is very nautical, bordering on excessive, but it actually lends itself to atmosphere quite well.

We were seated quickly and given a quick run down of the menu and specials. Our drink order arrived promptly and we ordered our food.

We shared an entree of Gunner's Smoky Squid Fry which was amazing. I could have happily chowed down on that for my main as well.

For the mains my wife ordered the Yachtie's Seafood Mixed Grill which was delivered to the table still cooking on a sizzle plate and the waitress actually puts a bib on you so you don't get splashed with anything whilst it finishes cooking.

It consisted of 3 skewers of fish, prawns and scallops and a HUGE serve of chips.

I went for the crumbed Tassie scallops from the specials board and was greeted with a huge plate of freshly caught scallops and another giant serving of chips.

We didn't get to try dessert as we were too full after the generous servings.

The food we had was fantastic, the service was excellent and, whilst it isn't the cheapest place around, it's worth every cent.

My tip would be to make sure you have a booking. We went on a Sunday night a few days after Valentine's day and we saw countless people turned away that hadn't booked.

This review is for Horseshoe Inn, Cambridge TAS

verified email - 13 Feb 2013

We called in here on Saturday for a sneaky pub lunch whilst we were running a few errands, and boy am I glad we did.

From the outside this is a very unassuming little pub that really isn't that much to look at, but inside the dining area, it is warm and inviting.

The staff were absolutely fantastic, friendly, helpful and a breath of fresh air.

There is a substantial specials board and the menu should contain something for most tastes.

My wife had the Chicken Cotoletta which was fantastic, her only comment was that the roast potato was bordering on being a little bit dry.

I ordered the chicken in white wine and mustard sauce on mash and I could not fault that in any way shape or form. It was spectacular.

The servings are generous, so if you think you want dessert, then don't order an entree.

I will certainly be returning to this little pub.

Approximate cost: $23

This review is for Mother India, North Hobart TAS

verified email - 05 Feb 2013

Called in here on the way home last night for a cheeky takeaway dinner. The service was excellent, friendly, engaging and you just got the feeling the staff I dealt with enjoyed working there.

The food was pretty good too, plenty of flavour, though by the time I transported the food home, the papadoms had become a little soggy in the pastic bag (my fault for not taking them out when I got in the car).

I will certainly be returning here for a dine in experience soon.

Approximate cost: $13

This review is for Speedy Pizza, Austins Ferry TAS

verified email - 04 Feb 2013

My last experience with these guys, in short, was pretty disappointing. We had some pizzas delivered for a lazy friday night dinner with some family members visiting from out of town, so we got a couple of different ones.

My wife opted for Satay Chicken which she said she quite enjoyed, others went for the Sweet Chilli Chicken which had a bit of bite to it, but the Pepperoni I had was close to the worst I've ever had. The base was stodgy and undercooked, the toppings weren't evently spread and overall it was just a very disappointing pizza.

The service of the staff on the phone and delivery driver were OK. Nothing to complain about there, but the quality of the pizza won't get me back in a hurry.

This review is for The Hub Cafe, Moonah TAS

verified email - 04 Feb 2013

Called in here this morning for a caffeine fix on my way to work. The chap working the caffeinated goodness machine was friendly and efficient. The prices were pretty much what you expect for a takeaway coffee from most cafes so there was nothing out of the ordinary there.

I would have liked an option for an extra large coffee, but what I had was well made (it's nice to get a double shot in a large coffee rather than just extra milk).

I can see myself going back again.