Longrain

3.5 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

While the food and decor at Longrain are great, I really say don't bother. We went as a group for a friends' birthday and were only informed when we arrived that we had to have a banquet - $70 or $80 were the only two choices. Cheeky. Add to that the attitude of servers who acted like we were naughty children when asking about gluten free options for a friend who gets very sick from gluten!

I don't like bad attitudes from waiters. It puts me off. And it put the whole table off last night. Then there were the serving sizes. We had 3 dishes and the average serving size you got - because as we were rudely informed, they bring the food out and it's then your responsibility to apportion the food between you at the table, was one tablespoon full.

Food was tasty but we still ended up hungry. And that was just the girls. Seriously, a salad of 2 chopped up tomatoes was not enough. One tablespoon full of a delicious curry was not enough. One half of a strip piece of salmon, was not enough. Come on Longrain, you're raking in the cash! You shouldn't do that to people.

Feb 13, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

Dinner last Saturday night, we arrived at about 7.15pm and told that there was a 45 minute wait for a table, which we expected, and were shown to the bar for a drink and a wait. We ordered a couple of Tigers and were asked for a credit card so that they could "start a tab". When the CC wasn't returned, I asked where it was and told by the waitperson that they keep it until we have been found a table.

I've never experienced this, and said that I was concerned that my credit card could be skimmed or interfered with during this time. Argued with the waitperson who was rather dismissive of my concerns, but when I told her that the liability for any fraud was on her head, she returned the card to me promptly. Not happy at that point.

In the end, we got a shared table in about 15 minutes and took advice from the waitperson on 4 dishes. The food was delightful, beautifully cooked, with the right balance of flavors and heat.

The credit card business was off putting (if they thought we would do a runner, I'd have been happy to pay for each round of drinks), but the food is certainly well done, and will encourage a return visit.

Nov 11, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  7     

Being an avid regular of Sydney's Longrain, I hoped for a similarly tasty experience at their sister restaurant in Melbourne recently. It didn't disappoint. Signature dishes jumped from the menu, and their cocktails are as divine here as they are up North. Innovative, fresh, and oh some yummy dishes that keep people coming back.

My only gripe is their insistence on communal dining of which I'm not a huge fan. Great for larger groups, but if romance is in order stick to cocktails and finger food in the bar. Either way you won't be disappointed.

Oct 31, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  5     

It was defintely one of the best food and a good dining experience though it was abit dark inside.

Sep 14, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Probably one of my most memorable dining experiences. The flavour of the dishes was fantastic. Not typically being a big salad eater the egg net salad was fantastic and the main of caramelised pork hock is embedded in my memory forever, a really fantastic dish. The restaurant itself is nice, very dark with minimal lighting feels as if no one else is dining.

Jun 16, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

Looking for some good Thai while in Melbourne we came here for a late dinner. We were seated immediately and served in reasonable time. A little dark inside, but nothing you cant eat in.

We are big eaters but were talked out of ordering 4 dishes and got 3 instead (we wished we got our 4). What we did get was the Blue eye cod, Lamb Curry and short rib of beef. While not your traditional Thai flavours/cuts of meat they were all brilliant and could not be faulted.

The dessert platter to finish was also great with so many fresh variety of flavours. Could not fault anything, other than being told to not get 4 main dishes.

Jan 28, 2011 

6.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  6     

This place is busy. The pace was a little too fast. We had entrees to start, which were brought out promptly. The main courses came out as soon as the empty plates were removed. We had 5 dishes to share between 5 of us. Food was great. I especially enjoyed the fish. Dessert was ordered. And to my disappointment the bill was on the table as soon as the dessert plates were removed. We spent $75 p/p including drinks, but was out of the restaurant within 1 hour 15 minutes.
This is Long Grain, not a restaurant on Victoria St.

Oct 12, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

Longrain, Red Spice Road, Gingerboy, Coda, it seems funky spaces doing Asian with a twist is the flavor of the year. Even though each of these restaurants is different, it is hard to ignore the similarities.

Longrain is a big room, communal tables (which I am coming to love), an expensive fit out and a kitchen on show. What a great place to spend a few hours.

The food is very good and generous. We had 4 plates to share between 4 of us and that was enough. Lots of options and lots of flavor. I especially liked the Green Papaya salad and special mention to the pork hock. I get the feeling that there would not be too many disappointments on this menu.

I had been to Red Spice Road the week before so it was almost impossible not to compare. Longrain is a more comfortable place to be and on the food I ate, it has the edge. Definitely put this one on your list to try.

Jul 30, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  8     

The brilliant food makes Longrain my fave Melbourne restaurant. Every mouthful is a taste sensation. However, we ate there on a Saturday night when, unfortunately, a DJ was playing music at an unacceptably loud level. We had to shout at our fellow diners to be heard across the table, not conducive to a happy dining experience. When we asked the Maitre d' to have the music volume lowered, we were told "The owner likes it this loud". Surely it's not about the owner?

I will definitely go back, but not on a Saturday night. Also, why is Longrain one of the few Melb restaurants that will not accept reservations?

May 10, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  8     

Went to eat there for dinner with my girlfriend. The food was great. I ordered the egg net.I don't normally like eating mounds of beanshoots and cucumbers but this was exceptional. The oysters were tasty. Next time I'm getting a dozen. The cocktails were great. The service was outstanding. It was a bit dark in there and very noisy and filled with work people.

Apr 18, 2010