Cafe Saligna - WEST PENNANT HILLS

Every time I have visited this restaurant, the staff have appeared unhappy and lacking motivation, which now makes sense. I ordered a meal to share with my sister and made sure to clarify with the staff that it was one meal for two people. I had to ask for water at the counter twice, and it didn't arrive until after we had finished our meal. When our food finally arrived almost 30 minutes later, there were two plates with very little food - one small tortilla with hardly any chicken and mostly cabbage and salsa. Despite the high price of $24, I assumed the chef had split the meal onto two plates. As we were getting ready to leave, the manager and waiter approached us and insisted that we had received and eaten two meals, and needed to pay for the second one. I told them I had only ordered one meal, but the manager was quite pushy. When I mentioned my dissatisfaction with their attitude and poor service, the manager responded by saying that other customers outside had paid for two meals and were still waiting, as if it was my problem. I reluctantly paid the extra $24, but it was a very uncomfortable situation that I will not be repeating, despite the beautiful setting of the Cumberland State Forest. Honestly, I would have received better service from the friendly kookaburras outside.

We ordered 2 soft drinks and had to get them ourselves from the drinks fridge. We waited a long time for 2 apple slices from the dessert cabinet. We were given only a tiny teaspoon to eat them with, and the cream on the plate looked old and unappetizing. The woman who took our order seemed to have an attitude about only ordering dessert. The apple slices were mediocre at best. If this is the level of service, why would anyone stay for a main meal?

I have been to Cafe Saligna several times and have thought it very expensive for the amount and quality of food you receive. I went yesterday with a friend and had a fish taco, which cost me $26. Yes, A fish taco (ONE), for $26! Since I ordered fish tacos at Sunnyside Cafe in Coonara Ave the week before and received THREE fish tacos for $21.90, I was unpleasantly astonished at only getting one smallish taco. I was still pretty hungry after finishing it. There is no way in the world Cafe Saligna can justify charging $26 for ONE taco. In addition, I ordered mineral water and didn’t receive it- had to interrupt our lunch to walk to the counter and ask for it- and was given a plastic bottle (no glass). Not impressed!

The food at this restaurant was quite underwhelming. My friend and I ordered the pumpkin salad, expecting a dish with baked pumpkin, quinoa, mixed greens, candied walnuts, marinated Persian feta, dill labneh, fried kale, pickled vegetables, and lemon verjus. Unfortunately, what we received was a small portion of baked pumpkin, a minimal amount of quinoa, a few walnuts, and some greens. The feta, labneh, kale, and pickled veggies were missing entirely.

We will be back. We went with friends and everyone enjoyed their meal. Prices were reasonable and the staff were friendly.