The Survey Co. - Brisbane

The Great Laneways of Brisbane! Weren't expecting that one, were you? It'll be a while before that's really true, but in the meantime, go find this place.

Went here for a drinkVery pleasantA nice little oasis from the noise and heat.

Amazing dinnerWe booked a table 2 days in advance just to make sure we get in this time.

This week on Thursday night a few of us went for dinner at Survey Co. We've been there before but this time was a real disappointment. Instead of leaving with the feeling of being cared for and enjoying a delicious midweek dinner together we decided they must be struggling. The staff seemed new and naive or unprepared. They even appeared bored. We saw other tables sending back food so obviously ours wasn't the only disappointed group. Their location is great and they used to be a go to place now it feels as if their standards are sliding. The Pissaladière did not in any way resemble the classic. The caramelised onions were exceedingly sweet and I have a strong suspicion were out of a jar. Irrespective they were not baked into the crust and the dish contained non of the saltiness you'd expect as the anchovies and olives bake with the onions and pastry. The crab sandwich was something you'd find at an afternoon tea but without rich creaminess or sweetness you'd expect and the bread was the bread your school lunches were likely made out of. The warm beetroot salad had no freshness or acidity, it was simply beetroot with some goats cheese drizzle. To add insult to injury it was a minuscule serving for a shared side dish that costs more than you'd expect for a side dish. The $98 whole duck dish served with fennel salad and cassoulet was good in flavour but serious lacking in portions to serve 4 people and was served in a cold enamel pot that I'm certain has never been anywhere near an oven. Don't try and give the impression you've been roasting the duck all day if you in fact assembled the dish in the kitchen with very little love, attention or French finesse. If you're ever in Sydney head to Four Fourteen (Colin Fassnidge's restaurant) that is how you serve a whole duck. The fennel salad could not be classified as a salad. It was shaved fennel with no other identifiable flavours. The cassoulet was not saucy or flavourful as you'd expect this beautiful French country comfort food to be. For such an inexpensive dish to create they could definitely splash out and serve 4 diners enough cassoulet to fill them up. The Negronis were good as was the bottle of wine we ordered

This week on Thursday night a few of us went for dinner at Survey Co. We've been there before but this time was a real disappointment. Instead of leaving with the feeling of being cared for and enjoying a delicious midweek dinner together we decided they must be struggling. The staff seemed new and naive or unprepared. They even appeared bored. We saw other tables sending back food so obviously ours wasn't the only disappointed group. Their location is great and they used to be a go to place now it feels as if their standards are sliding. The Pissaladière did not in any way resemble the classic. The caramelised onions were exceedingly sweet and I have a strong suspicion were out of a jar. Irrespective they were not baked into the crust and the dish contained non of the saltiness you'd expect as the anchovies and olives bake with the onions and pastry. The crab sandwich was something you'd find at an afternoon tea but without rich creaminess or sweetness... read more