Solto Brunswick East, Melbourne

User Reviews of Solto, Brunswick East

Displaying: 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

5.5 Average

Food 7 Ambience 6 Service 4 Value 5

Unfortunately, we had a similar experience to the first poster. I'll just attach below most of the content of an email I was intending to send them but couldn't because they don't seem to have an email address. Anyway, I just checked our bill and it, too, had some additional items on it called "Open Price $12.50" so maybe you'd best check your own bill if you go.

We ate at your establishment last night. We enjoyed the food and drink and thank you for a great meal. We couldn’t help noticing, however, that your restaurant was empty except for us, and for the entire time we were there. We eat in the area quite a like, living nearby, and know that many places are quite full, even on Monday night.

So, at risk of offence, we have some suggestions for you to improve your business. Please accept them as intended, we are only trying to get more people into your establishment.

Firstly, The music was, well, pretty bad. Jazzy lounge guitar music just doesn’t seem the right choice. We’d suggest something contemporary Japanese instrumental groove or alternatively, some classic blues/jazz ala Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, etc. Also, the music was turned up while we were there from a comfortable level initially to too loud for us to talk comfortably.

Secondly, We were sat behind the bar which seemed an unusual step as we were the only people in the restaurant and it would’ve been better to seat us towards the front or at least where other potential patrons might see us and therefore feel more comfortable about coming inside. People hate to walk into empty restaurants.

Thirdly, We were given drink menus first without any food menus. This might be seen as a bit confusing for Melbourne people as we’re used to getting both at once unless the establishment has hats. It also means that patrons are being asked to choose, say, a bottle of wine without know what they might eat. Better to provide both menus at once, we think.

Fourthly, Unfortunately, your waiter, though very friendly, competent and courteous, probably needs a little better English language skills. We had some confusion about what we were ordering which could have been a problem as we are vegetarian and nearly ordered a dish containing chicken.

Other than these things, as I said, we enjoyed the food. And the glass of shiraz my partner had was exceptionally good. We wish you good luck with your establishment.

Mar 06, 2012

stevecinq
1

5.3 Average

Food 6 Ambience 7 Service 3 Value 5 Drinks 6

I guess all new restaurants have teething problems, and we saw this on display when we went for dinner at Solti last night.

A lovely fitout and the promise of something new in the growing bar and restaurant strip in Lygon St East Brunswick. But the service, and the food let it down on this occasion. After waiting for quite a long time, we got a drinks menu and ordered two Thunder Road draft beers, but nothing came, neither the beers or the food menu. After about 10 minutes, we inquired about the drinks and was told they were on the way, then a few minutes later, ask to repeat the order (later charged for 4 beers).

While looking at the menu, we had a meal delivered to us, and then removed. Ordered 4 dishes which were delivered progressively, and were nice but rather simple (and very small) and not really what you might go out for. One of the more frustrating aspects was that we were given flat plates and chopsticks to eat things like silken tofu, when a bowl would have been much more useful (the eating much less difficult).

When the bill came, it made no sense, so I asked for an explanation, and the cost of dinner when down from $93 to $75, when they removed the things we didn't order.

Maybe is was just a bad night and maybe we ordered badly. I haven't decided yet whether to return to find out.

Jan 19, 2012