Verve Cafe Bar

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  5     

Slow service! 20 minutes wait for a coffee and 1 hour for eggs on toast. Food wasn't anything special. Asked the waitress to check on food order, said she would and never did. Do yourself a favour and go somewhere else!

Apr 10, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  4     

The days of Restaurant's relying on their food alone to satisfy customers is a thing of the past. Interesting to see a common theme appearing with regards to service at this restaurant.

Bottle of wine was delivered 20 minutes too late apparently because it wasn't chilled. One of our coffee's were totally forgotten.

Dec 31, 2010 

2 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

Went to the restaurant on the 31th of july with my husband, left very disappointed. We had to wait about 20 minutes to order our meals, even though most of the staff were just standing around chatting to each other (and once we were finally able to get someone's attention they just said "oh I didn't notice you were there"). The pumpkin risotto was drenched in oil, and they forgot to bring my husbands dessert wine (although they did give him an empty wine glass).

When we went to pay we were faced with a bill that included the dessert wine we never received, and when we told the waitress of the issue, she didn't even bother apologising for the mistake. Would not recommend it and will definitely not be back.

Jul 31, 2010 

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  6     

My initial review is posted below and after visiting twice on our last visit to Canberra remains the same. Once again two different experiences.

We have been here twice whilst staying in Manuka and had two opposing experiences. The first time was a late lunch on a weekday and the restaurant was mostly empty and we received excellent service and the food was excellent.

The second time was for breakfast and the restaurant was packed, service was horrible and the food took a long time to come out and some was ok and some was terrible.

Jan 25, 2010 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  3     

As it was late we arrived when most people had finished their meal, so it wasn't all busy. I had the paella and my partner the lamb. Both meals were average. When it was time to pay the bill lucky my partner checked because we had been overcharged for two extra glasses of wine and a two extra coffees a total of $28. When we reminded the waitress we didn't have these items we asked her to remove them from the bill. She did but still overcharged us for an extra glass of wine. We didn't cause a scene and left it as their tip. I don't think we will be returning in a hurry.

Jan 09, 2010 

3.8 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  4     

Went there for lunch, my companion ordered fish and what arrived two proscuitto wrapped pieces, very oily and flavourless. The chicken in my souvlaki was extremely dry.

The service was infuriating. The place was half empty, but things were forgotten, we were ignored from beginning to end and the begging to get a bill really boiled my blood. The attitude was indifference bordering on contempt. However, I do like the decour of the place.

Jan 07, 2010 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Had a nice brunch here. Good atmosphere, nice setting. Great service, we had very little time at the restaurant and let the waiter know that we needed to leave within an hour to go to the airport, so he arranged for our food to be ready and we were served in less than 10 minutes after ordering! Coffee is very nice here.

Oct 19, 2009 

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

Went for Breakie. Did the full breakie and also the pancakes. Full breakie was good. Nice balance, like the chorizo touch and patato cake, not just a frozen hash brown. Pouch egg was a bit under done as the white was still running, but I'm ok with that.

Pancakes were overly sweet and a little thick. Coffee ok but the long black lacked the quality of the caramel taste with I crave (remember coffee doesn't have to be boiling hot and then it holds the caramel at the top). Nice place, nice breakie.

Aug 02, 2009 

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  5     

Came here twice in one week as we've just moved to Canberra. Thought the food was really average, had the roast pork, risotto and mussels and they were nowhere as nice as what I've had in Melbourne, for equivalent price. Wine selection was good but I probably won't go back again for the food unless it's just for drinks with friends.

Jan 24, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

There's a nice vibe at this place, though the confit of duck, described as twice cooked, tasted twice cooked. As in cooked, then reheated. It had an elderly taste that was distinctly off putting, and was vaguely tough and nasty. Shame, as the rest of our meal was good. My husband loved his main (steak). Great cheese plate (enough to feed two) with a beautiful blue and all Australian cheeses too. My food rating takes into account that the rest of the food was ok.

Jan 06, 2009