Restaurant layout

This restaurant is one of the smallest of all those located at the Eastwood Mall. So small in fact that it doesn’t even have it’s own bathroom facilities! You have to leave the restaurant and use the public bathrooms… This is a real let down, I mean come on, even McDonalds has its own bathroom!

Just like many of the other restaurants in that area, they’ve incorporated large mirrors into their interior design to give the impression of more space. Rather than trying to create the impression of more space, they could have made it a reality by reconsidering having such a large bar area.

I’ve visited Balducci a few times now and each time, myself and other diners, have found it too cold to sit comfortably. I’m used to cold restaurants in Eastwood City, such as Il Pirata, but this one really goes too far.

Interior of Balducci

Tables and chairs inside Balducci

Bar area of Balducci

Service

The service at Balducci isn’t great and  generally reminds you of giggling school girls. This can be cute for a few minutes of dining until you get fed up and want the professional service you’d expect from a restaurant charging you professional costs.

Food

The best thing about Balducci is actually the bread they serve while waiting for your meal.. a wait which can take some time! On each occasion I’ve eaten there, different people have commented on the burgers being undercooked and lacking a sufficient binding agent, meaning they fall apart far too easily.

Their other dishes are perfectly fine although nothing to write home about. Basically, they do ‘what is says on the tin’. So you’ll be nutritionally satisfied but wont be rushing for that next bite.

Serving bread

Grilled Lapu Lapu

Four cheese pizza

Restaurant layout

The restaurant is relatively small when compared with others in the Eastwood Mall. It’s made good use of its space by expanding outside to the veranda. Because this outside area is covered, it’s fine to each outside during rain.

The style of furniture is somewhat basic, although comfortable, and reminds you of a stereotypical European café.

Seating on the veranda

Freshly squeezed lemonade

Service

The service at Cyma is acceptable. Generally they’re very good with their greetings and try to provide a dedicated waiter/waitress to each table which is nice. However, there are times when it seems hard to get service, for example when they huddle up together outside by the entrance. Your seating position also has an effect on the level of service you receive. If you want the top service then make sure you sit inside, the second highest level of service is directly outside the entrance and the lowest level of service is at the tables furthest from the entrance, outside on the veranda, where you can be missed for quite some time.

Food

The choice of food at Cyma is superb. Their menu is very extensive and caters most audiences with the inclusion of many vegetarian dishes. The meals are prepared and served reasonably quickly, although you’d hope so since you won’t be getting any complimentary bread here. The portions are generous, although again, you’d expect this based on the pricing.

Chicken Gyro with Greek roasted potatoes

Greek roasted Potatoes

Chicken Gyro with Greek roasted potatoes

Menu

Front page of menu	Menu page	Menu page
Menu page	Menu page

Mr Kurosawa restaurant sign

Mr Kurosawa is a Euro-Japanese restaurant with one of the fullest menus I’ve ever seen.

Restaurant layout

The restaurant has a rather unusual but comfortable theme. You’d be forgiven for mistaking this place as a high class night club such as embassy because inside you’ll find a modern design with comfortable leather chairs, neon lighting and club music playing at a low, reasonable level, waited by attractive ladies in red.

There are plenty of mirrors inside which make the room feel much wider and more open. This is a desirable effect when you realise how narrow many of the restaurants in the Eastwood Mall truly are.

Hanging from the ceiling you will find backlit pictures which serve two purposes; to light the room and as decoration.

Backlit ceiling decorations	Backlit ceiling decoration	Bar area
Modern layout	Comfortable seating	Smart custom utensils

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Service

Mr Kurosawa waitress

When eating at Mr Kurosawa you not only have the food to enjoy but also additional eye candy which are the waitresses. They’re dressed in smart but informal red dresses which end a couple of inches above the knee and tall black boots which end about an inch or so under the knee. Aside from appearances, service is actually very good inside the restaurant. You’ll not only be served quickly and professionally but also be interacting with intelligent waiters/waitresses who comprehend what you’re requesting which makes ordering a breeze, especially if you’re ordering something off menu.

Food

As mentioned previously, the menu is extremely large with what appears to be an endless choice of dishes. I assume the idea of this is to provide enough choice that people keep coming back to try different dishes. However, in reality, I wonder how many people return and simply choose the same dish they had the first time because they don’t want to battle that huge menu!

Each time I’ve eaten at Mr Kurosawa there have been tiny hiccups in missing items from the order. They’re very quick to serve these missing items when brought to their attention so it’s not a huge deal but perhaps some additional attention to detail is required.

Generally the meals are prepared and served very quickly. The portions are generous enough to leave you fulfilled unlike some of the older restaurants in Eastwood City who still serve small gourmet sized portions.

Grape fruit Shake	Watermelon Shake	Unknown Dish
Unknown Dish	Unknown Dish	Unknown Dish

Restaurant layout

The restaurant is made up of three seating areas. An outside patio area, the main dining area and a side room which would be great for business meals or a group of friends.

Like many other restaurants located at the Eastwood Mall, the interior is quite narrow but stretches far back. They’ve maximised their space well and have made it feel open and airy with the use of mirrors.

The walls are decorated with a great variety of interesting pictures and homely plants which make for a very relaxed atmosphere.

Service

The level of service in the Old Vine Grille was perfect – they knew when to approach the table and when to give privacy. They were also quick to spot an unhappy face when there was a slight error in the order and fixed it up perfectly within a couple of minutes.

Food and drink

For drinks we ordered watermelon shakes. They had the perfect level of crushed ice and watermelon, providing a pleasant and  smooth taste.

They were served quickly after ordering, unlike some restaurants that leave you waiting around until your food is served before giving you your drinks.

The food was also served extremely quickly, although this may have been helped by the fact that it was a rather quiet lunch period. The servings are generous, especially compared to other places in the Eastwood area, this is a big plus point that would make me want to return.

There was only one tiny thing missing.. they didn’t offer fresh cracked pepper for any of the dishes. This is a pretty standard offer in most restaurants and shouldn’t be something you have to ask for, it should simply be offered.

Menu (click for larger image)

Pictures

Vegetarian Eggplant Pasta

Fish and Chips

Rice stuffed whole chicken