Ashley's - GOSFORD

Excellent! I had a delightful lunch at Ashley's. The hosts were extremely welcoming, the service was efficient, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Most importantly, the food was wonderful and the portions were very generous. We couldn't find anything to complain about regarding our dining experience. The prices were reasonable for a special occasion.

BRING YOUR BOXING GLOVES!! I booked a 60th birthday party in advance, discussing the food and costs beforehand. However, what we received was far from what was agreed upon. The food was placed on a serving table instead of on plates, leading to chaos among our 30 guests who were scrambling for food like pigeons pecking for seeds. The serving setup, meant for six people, barely satisfied two grown men. We even had to engage in a verbal dispute with the owners before they decided to settle us down. When dessert time came, they claimed it wasn't included in the menu. Thankfully, we had the printed menu from our booking to prove otherwise. To top it off, when it was time to pay, they tried to charge us more than what we had originally agreed upon. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone—local seagulls would be better off at a fish and chips shop, where they can at least count on a proper meal.

I visited for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the large serving of high-quality food at an excellent price. We only paid $12 per person for some amazing pasta. The chef even came out to check on us and see how we liked our meal.

I had a fantastic experience at this restaurant. The service was attentive, and the owners are delightful—they truly go out of their way to please their guests. The food was outstanding; fresh and full of flavor, leaving little room for criticism. The wine list is improving, and I especially enjoyed the Two Brothers Pinot Grigio, which was quite lovely. This is one of the most beautiful dining spots in Gosford. I've dined here four times now and have enjoyed every visit. I genuinely believe it surpasses many restaurants I've tried in Sydney and Melbourne over the past few years. I suspect that some of the earlier reviewers may have dined here when the previous owners were in charge, or perhaps they have a different view on what fine dining should be. While it may not be the cheapest option, it provides a very enjoyable experience overall.

We started with scallops and sizzling prawns. The scallops looked like they had been mishandled, while the prawns were bland and utterly forgettable. For the main course, I chose the seafood platter, which received quite a bit of praise. However, the lobster was nearly inedible—dry and overwhelmingly covered in fennel. The seafood platter itself was a disappointment; it included warm oysters, no salad, no sauces—just some dry, deep-fried shrimp, four pieces of fish, and a few more shrimp. Overall, it was a miserable experience...