Fresh User Reviews for Bistro/Brasserie in Melbourne

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  4     

Dined at Sapore twice, both times had lovely experiences. Waiting staff attentive, but, perhaps, could have been a little less suffocating.

Meals were impeccably presented and flavours of each dish worked brilliantly together. Recommend the Duck and Barramundi. The chocolate desserts are slightly sparse but to die for, bring back the marquise!

May 25, 2012

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Drinks  3      Ambience  1      Service  3      Value  1     

Food was horrible, not fresh. Parma looked like it was definitely not fresh.
Came out cold, and when it was returned told that they were going to remake it. Same piece came back refried with extra cheese.

May 25, 2012

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  6     

Walking in off Greville St, Prahran, you might be in a Parisian Bistro. The wait-staff all look and sound French, the decor is appropriate and menu certainly has all the classics. However, in spite of the fact that the reviews are mostly pretty good, we felt that this restaurant fell short in some respects.

The wait staff seemed to have been selected for their ability to speak French rather than do the job, the wine was amateurishly poured and was spilt, there was some minor confusion over one aspect of our orders, our routine allergy issue seemed to cause confusion, the refill of water didn't arrive and the coffees turned up over an extended interval. Perhaps, we just encountered a night when there were some relatively new staff?

My French onion soup was fine, but there were some grumbles about the bisque (too thin?). A comment was made about one of the duck dishes to the effect that it could have been cooked a little less, and about another that it could have been cooked a little more.

On the other hand, my seafood gratin was fine, and there seemed to be no complaints about the steak from the other end of the table. The side serve of beans was a little light on for what we paid, although the mains had generous portions. The food and wine prices were in line with what you expect to pay these days. The wine list had a good selection, including French wines, at various price points.

May 11, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Wonderful food and service. Perfect winter meals with fireplace and view of the bay. Attentive but unobtrusive service. Somewhere special without the extra special price. The duck is to die for, although the new risotto menu should be experienced. And don't forget the cheese platter with a lovely frecinet Pinot.

May 03, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Best breakfast place I have been to... ever! and being a big food lover such as myself, that's a massive statement. I discovered this place with my partner about a few months ago and have been there a dozen times at least. Absolutely sensational chef who makes his hollandaise sauce and poached eggs to perfect. I honestly believe I could eat an entire meal of mushrooms at Broozed, they're unbeliable! definitely a must try restaurant. Not too sure how their lunches are. Every time I try to go for lunch I always end up craving their amazing breakfasts!

Apr 22, 2012

1.2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Drinks  1      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

Having just come back from lunch there with a scoopon voucher! It was the worst service I have ever encountered and I work in the industry, we were meet by the chef on entrance, I said I have a table booked, he replied, voucher, then took us tour seats, gave us the piece of paper with the menu on it, a sub class menu for scoopon. He came back took our order, served the wine then served the food, I had the dry salmon with a little veg and cool rice, no sauce no condiments nothing! Nobody came near us for drinks, he came back to clear the plates and didn't even ask if we injured it, surly if they take part in a voucher system they would want the business, I felt we were intruding and not felt welcome at all. I don't believe there chef should be waiting tables cooking ect, one to miss. Really not worth the $32 voucher price, I feel cheated!

Apr 18, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

I have read with interest and amusement the various reviews of Chez Olivier and other French-themed restaurants in Melbourne.

Inevitably the overall experience is the sum of a number of parts. On this ocassion, the waiters simply stole the show. They were seriously charmingly and professional. Their work ethic was outstanding and two young men worked a full restaurant with complete poise.

When my brandy and dry arrived as brandy and something else I was informed with complete sincerity that our waiter, not knowing what the "dry" referred to; had simply Googled it. Unfortunately Google got it wrong. But the manner in which my complaint was handled was exemplary.

The food was good enough... very good in some aspects and simply average in others, but the ambience and overall experience is top rate.

14/20 and well recommended.

Apr 16, 2012

8 Recommended

Service  8     

I went to Sapore on Sunday night with a friend. All was good until we went to order. After giving the waiter my order my friend then ordered the Set Menu. That is when the problems started. We were informed that both people had to have the set menu.

For what reason that was I didn't even ask. Then after five minutes I decided I would have the Set Menu as well even though it wasn't to my liking. Then I asked if I was able to substitute a glass of Wine for a Beer. I was then told I could substitute a Soft Drink or Orange Juice instead.

After much consideration we decided to walk out. Can someone please explain to me how a Restaurant can dictate what you can and can't order on a Sunday night when there was ten people in the Restaurant. While the food might be good at Sapore, unfortunately, the attitude of Management and Staff leaves quite abit to be desired.

Apr 04, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  10      Service  10     

My husband and I went for lunch on Saturday 31/3/12, and were greeted with so much warmth by a lovely waitress. We were an hour early with our booking and I asked her if that was alright. She told us not to worry about the timing and took us to our seat and gave us our menu. We didn't wait long for drinks nor food. Food was good, service was amazing and the setting and views beautiful. I would highly recommend this place and am so glad, we went there despite some of the negative reviews. Thanks staff of Churinga esp the waitress who served us. You made our day and we will be back again. Ann

Apr 02, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

We arrived on a Friday night with no booking and not much time as we had to catch a show and the staff were very accommodating, friendly and efficient. I had the crab spaghetti and my husband the chicken breast with a shared side of brussel sprouts. All the portions were generous and really tasty. A great dining experience.

Mar 26, 2012

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Where do I start? The service was terrible. The food is overpriced for the crap that gets served up, however after seeing the chef it's no wonder. Never seen someone that seedy and dirty in my life. It actually made me ill to think his hands had been on my food. Won't be going back.

Mar 25, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Wonderful food, professional and friendly service plus a great atmosphere. Love the parking across the street at the railway station, very handy for a few drinks! Thanks Andrew and Heidi, we will definitely be back.

Mar 20, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

I had never heard of Coldwater Tavern before, however, my experience was great. Fantastic service, great food and when it's busy I'm sure a great atmosphere! Will certainly be coming back and recommending it to others!

Mar 19, 2012

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Drinks  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Do not bother going to this place on a busy night. Our meals took more than 1 hour to arrive. When I asked for my money back after the clock ticked over to 65 minutes, the owner quickly snuck into the kitchen and extracted the meals 15 minutes later. Simply not good enough. The meals were rubbish. Try elsewhere or go to McDonalds. At least it's fast and you get what you pay for.

Mar 13, 2012

2.3 Not Recommended

Drinks  6      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

The Sunday Carvery is terrible. We will never go back and eat there again. The only reason we stayed is because of our friends. I would not recommend this meal to anyone.

Mar 05, 2012

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Elisa's has great food, great staff and great prices.

Feb 28, 2012

9.2 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

The 2 for 1 specials every night of the week are great value for money. Huge Portions, speedy service :)

Feb 28, 2012

2 Not Recommended

Ambience  3      Service  1     

We had the worst service I have ever experienced at this place. We decided to stop for afternoon tea here at 3:15 pm. Nobody attended to us when we entered the place and we just stood around waiting to be seated, even though more than half the restaurant was empty! The waitress was just standing at the cashier (she wasn't attending to anyone else).

When we were finally seated, she didn't give us the menus so I decided to get it myself. There were no smiles, no welcomes. We waited for 10 minutes but no one came by to get our order. When I finally managed to get the waitress’ attention, she was really curt. We ordered a devonshire set and fries.

After waiting for 20 minutes, we were informed there were no more scones. We changed our order to an apple strudel and proceeded to wait another 20 minutes. When the food finally arrived, I asked her why our food took so long when the people who had arrived after us had already gotten theirs.

These were her exact words "You came at the end of a busy day and you have been showing me attitude since you got here". When I told her she had been showing us attitude, she started shouting at us. She said the guys who had arrived after us had made a booking with a Spreets coupon so their food was ready when they arrived (Seriously? Even when they hadn't placed their order? I haven't ever seen a coupon which gives you only one option on a menu and I sure wouldn't want to be eating something that's been prepared and is just sitting around.)

Everyone started staring at us and she just kept saying we were just being rude (because we had to wait 40 minutes for our food and we asked why?).

We decided to put an end to the scene and leave. We had gotten a cup of tea and I wanted to pay for that. When I put the money for the tea at the cashier on my way out she said, pretty rudely - "don't worry about it". We didn't go in there for a free meal or to be treated so terribly.

I have travelled all over Australia and the world and I have never experienced such attitude. If you can't serve with a smile, you shouldn't be in the service industry. This restaurant really doesn't deserve any positive reviews and I would strongly advise everyone to steer clear of the place. Its horrible.

Feb 19, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Great suburban restaurant. Best in the area good sized meals with great value for price. We will be making this our local!

Feb 17, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I've been coming to this pub for about 6 months and I love it. The food is amazing, the bar is amazing and the venue is amazing. Security were getting a bit rough at the end of last year but it looks like there's a whole new crew been hired. These guys are really friendly. They even talk to me when I come in on weekends.

If you're coming in for food, I'd recommend the doot burger. It's massive and like a burger should be. Messy and tasty. No shame in having food all over my hands (or my face) for this. My other fav is the parma. Can't go wrong! (actually, I've had some pretty disappointing parmas in my time) But these are awesome. Real chicken. Not that crumbed fake stuff.

The bar has a pretty good range of beers and spirits. I think they must have some new managers or something too because their beers and ciders range is getting heaps better. (I Love Beer and Cider!) And they've got all the rekordelig flavours now!

I'm having my birthday in their upstairs room in June, so I'll let everyone know how that goes, but it looks pretty awesome!

Feb 11, 2012