Fresh User Reviews in Inner Melbourne and Southbank

9 Highly Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Had a fab night at Bistro Vue on recent trip to Melbourne. Really great service and fab food. Thought it was really good value for money and have recommended it to friends when they visit Melbourne next month.

May 27, 2012

5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  5     

A lovely lunch with friends was quickly and effectively ruined by the rudeness of one of the wait staff over splitting the bill at the end of the meal when it was explained clearly and agreed to by the wait staff that this would be ok when first coming into the restaurant.

Despite some lovely food, rude service is such a turn off that I will never go back to Shoya again, nor recommend it to anyone for whom courteous service is as important as good food.

May 27, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Good service and delicious food. The gnocchi al pesto are fantastic and the complimentary serving of bruschetta adds to the dining experience! Also, one of the few places that actually know how to make a decent latte!

May 27, 2012

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  3      Value  1     

I have never written a review about a restaurant but I felt so strongly about the meal I had last night at the Flower Drum that I felt I should warn others. This place is Totally overrated. We had the banquet which consisted of 6 bland under seasoned courses. The sauces had too much corn flour, the fried rice was dry and the presentation, there was none. It was such a huge disappointment, I have had better Chinese from my local takeaway in Sydney.

I am trying to comprehend how they justify the cost as the service was also lacklustre. The waiters were clearing plates away while some of us were still eating. Will never go back there again.

May 27, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

We visited on a Saturday night right as the footy game was letting out, but were able to find free parking despite the crowd. The restaurant was not crowded at all, a shame, really. We had booked through a Groupon set menu pre-purchase that included two entrees, two mains, two desserts and a bottle of wine.

The set menu choices had a good variety to choose from and everything was superb. Really a beautiful place to dine and nicer than a lot of the overcrowded restaurant regions in the city.

May 27, 2012

3.3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  10      Service  1      Value  1     

My husband and I popped in here for a quick bite and a glass of wine before heading home, the Crispy Pig on the bar snacks sounded delicious. Service at this point was friendly and the wine came out promptly.

Our cutlery was then set up and we waited and waited and waited, 45 minutes later my husband was getting slightly irate as it was only a bar snack and the restaurant wasn't busy, while he was using the rest room I asked one of the passing waiters how much longer?, he went to ask and I knew something was wrong, the person that took our order had forgotten to push the button to send it through to the kitchen, he asked if we still wanted it, as we still had a 40 minute drive home we said no.

I know that the restaurant is fairly new and things do go wrong sometimes but we were right in front of the bar and the staff should have noticed that the food was taking too long to come out well before we had to ask especially as the table next to us came in about 20 minutes after and had their food within 15 minutes.

May 26, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

Being from Sydney, I am so so so jealous that Melbourne has this great cafe!
On my recent visit to Melbourne, we went to Brunetti 3 times in Carlton and once in the city, so 4 out of the 6 day stay. Fell in love with the great atmosphere and grand selection of cakes and pastries. Coffee was awesome too! It gives the feeling of being in Europe. Very busy on every occasion we visited which didn't slow down the great friendly service with a smile.

All the girls and guys were working like machines to serve everyone as efficient as possible and were even apologetical for slight delay. Well done to the team, please bring your store to Sydney. We really don't have anything like this that compares. My first stop next time I come to Melbourne will definitely be Brunetti!

May 26, 2012

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  4      Value  3     

Casual Asian Fast food. Good for a quick, hot meal when you're really hungry and short on time. Classic soup noodles, mix and matched from big vats of soup, different noodles, and minute servings of protein and veggies used as garnish.
Student waitresses bit more on the ball than the usual.

May 25, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  4     

My husband took me for Valentine's day. Food was lovely and the view of the park gorgeous. The waiting staff were knowledgeable, friendly and attentive.
Only downside was the ventilation in the terrace building was completely lacking. We both left the restaurant smelling like a grill.

May 25, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

I have had lunch from this place several times now. I love how they have fully embraced technology and have an online and iphone app ordering system. It saves me from waiting for my order in the cold, wintery Melbourne weather! Everything I have eaten here so far has been fan-expletive-tastic. And it is totally true, Miss Chu Is the rice paper queen. You Must try the duck rice paper roll. It's my favourite.

May 25, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  3     

Disappointing. Overrated and unprofessional. Certainly not Melbournes finest seafood restaurant.

May 25, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Decided to try this place as it was recommended. Ordered the banquets and a few bottles of wine. Food was plentiful, tasty and well worth the per head. Delightful eggplant dish and amazing pickles! Ambience was subdued and comfortable with the service being top notch. Great restaurant, would recommend to others and will be back myself.

May 25, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

One of my favourite places to eat. Yes you have to wait because they don't accept bookings, yes if you've never heard of this place its hard to find and yes there's so much hype about this place but it's because it's worth it! Wonderful sashimi, wonderful soft shell crab, an extensive choice of saki and very cool underground surroundings. Prices match the food and service and everybody who enjoys Japanese cuisine Must try Izakaya Den at least once!

May 24, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

It's really interesting to see mixed reviews on this place. It is in my opinion one of the top 5 pizzerias in Melbourne. They stick to traditional Italian pizza with a thin base and minimal but fresh ingredients. If you're looking for huge toppings and thick bases piled with cheese, give the place a miss. If you're after a gourmet pizza D.O.C's the place for you! Prosciutto pizza with chilli oil, wow!

May 24, 2012

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  1     

Its hard to believe this restaurant has so many good reviews and, unfortunately, we were lead there by their reviews. I am from Sydney and we have heaps of middle eastern/inspired restaurants.

I hope for the longevity of their business we caught them on a off night.

When we arrived we were offered drinks and the banquet for $75. Our friend had and eye lash in his quail egg, we sent it back. The waiter came back 1.5 minutes later saying there you go fresh one. The way they served the dish was to pour the broth over the ingredients. The problem was they did two in one hit, them 1/3 of the guy opposite me, they then did mine, and gave the guy opposite me another 1/3. We than waited about three minutes until the other 1/3 came out. Great start. This put a damper on our mood.

We ate cold soup, flavour was good but cold. We then asked the waiter if the soup was meant to be cold, he said oh no "hot" and then walked out The pickled beetroot had no flavour, and nothing was really impressive.

I was waiting for someone to ask me for a drink, the waiter came to the table three times overlooked my empty glass and I never got asked for a drink. Is this what you call fine dining?

I said to him is there a specific drink waiter, he said no! Then he said would you like a drink. I said I wanted one but forget it.

We got up and walked out and asked for the bill. They acknowledge we were not happy and didn't charge us for our meal. Regardless we would have never come back.

Very very disappointing.

May 23, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

This cafe is totally unassuming and fantastic. I had the Best long black I've ever had in my life here. It was just delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and the environment is very calm. It is a haven for anyone who needs brain space and time. I went around 8.30am one morning and the sun was blazing in their rear window, which was really fabulous. I did not eat the food here as I didn't have enough time but it looks welcoming and homely.

May 23, 2012

4 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  3     

This has for many years been my favourite restaurant in Melbourne and I have taken many visitors there over the years, however, when there on Friday night for a birthday celebration, we could not have been more disappointed, not by the food, but the service, which was surely the most apathetic, disinterested and rude in all of Australia. No one seemed to care, we had to ask for our drinks 4 times before they finally arrived, half way through our main course. What a huge letdown for such a previously great restaurant. I am sure that Cath Claringbold would be very sad indeed.

May 22, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

I was lucky enough to stumble into this place during a lunch. A very different set up for a restaurant but very cozy once you are seated and having a great time. Enjoyed some pizza's, calabrese and a seafood one which I can't remember the name of, between the two of us. Both absolutely delicious! Very good service, ambience and a really nice setting right in the heart of Melbourne's amazing CBD. If you're ever around Bourke St, you need to dine here at least once!

May 22, 2012

10 Highly Recommended

Quality  10      Service  10      Value  10     

We had cleaners from Sunshine Cleaning to clean my carpets three days ago and we were amazed at how clean and nice my carpet was when they were done. it really does look like new! They were really fast and very friendly. Its worth recommending them to other people!

May 22, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Read some reviews from the site so decided to give it a try. Didn't disappoint us. Great food, the marinated pork is something that you should give it a try.

Service was good even though the place was packed. Will try it again in the future.

May 21, 2012