Crystal Cafe & Restaurant, Waterloo

The Crystal Cafe in Waterloo has recently changed hands, so we decided it was time to check it out again. They've kept the chairs and tables, but the lighting and the counter has changed. The room is now dimmed and there's a bright decorative bar. I felt like I was in a bar's bistro.

The menu has changed an now features a 100 day grain fed beef steak. The menu has a mixed of Modern Australian and Asian dishes. It ranges from steaks and pasta to curry and honey pepper chicken. Might be useful if you and your dinner party can't agree on having Western or Asian for dinner!

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There is a decent selection of beverages. There are the regular cafe staples of coffee, tea, juices and milkshakes. There are also spirits and beers, as well as a decent wine list.

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We went for a fresh fruit (orange, apple and carrot) juice and a glass of Shiraz.

We ordered 2 entrees - Panko Crumbed Prawn and Garlic Prawn.

The Panko Crumbed Prawn was really crispy and delicious. However it is crying out for a dipping sauce to go with it. We ended up dipping it into the creamy Garlic sauce from the Garlic Prawn. The sauce was filled with garlic and creamy. However it requires slightly more salt.

For mains we had a Surf and Turf and Philly Mignon Steak. These were both the Bindaree 100-day grain fed MSA beef. The waiter did not ask how we wanted the steak done, so we were wondering the whole time what we were about to get! Also, the waiter only asked what sauce we wanted on the Mignon and not the Surf and Turf. We had the feeling we were about to get a mystery dinner!

Surf and Turf - Steak with prawns in garlic sauce (same as the entree), on mash potato with a mushroom sauce and a side of salad. Both steak (Surf and Turf and the Mignon) were very unevenly cooked. Parts of it were medium, some were medium well and parts were well done. There was a cut in part of the steak - which felt like they were checking how done the steak was. The mash potato was very disappointing - it was very chunky and bland. The mushroom sauce needed alot more salt. The salad was fresh but needed a dressing.

Philly Mignon Steak - Steak with bacon, on a side of chips with a pepper sauce and a green salad. The steak was also unevenly cooked. The pepper sauce needed more salt and more pepper, and salad also needed a dressing. On the plus side, the chips were hot and crispy.

Finally, we had our dessert. Hot Apple Strudel with ice-cream. The Apple Strudel seemed like something store bought frozen which was heated up. Sadly, it was lukewarm and the pastry was far from crispy.

Overall

The food here really needs a lot more TLC! The lone wait staff - who doubles as the cafe's barista is friendly. But I think he's really a good barista needing to learn how to pay attention to detail in waiting - eg asking what sauces or how we want the steak done. 

Total cost of dinner - $82. For the food we had, I don't think I will be coming back anytime soon for dinner.