Meat & Wine Co., The

3.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  1     

We've eaten here quite a few times. The last time I called to make a booking for sunday night and I was told they have a seating limit so we have to out in 2 hours. The girl I spoke to was unfriendly and unhelpful and told me 2 hours is enough time to eat. I thought that was a bit unfair considering the food isn't cheap and the service isn't exactly fast. Very disappointing, will never go back there.

Nov 03, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  5     

We visited Meat and Wine Co. Southbank on our trip to Melbourne. We love the one in Darling Harbour so we thought it would ba a safe bet for my birthday dinner. We booked a head and we were able to get a table near the window upstairs, this was lovely! The steak was juicy and really yummy. It did take quite a while for us to recieve our meals and drinks, which would be understandable with a full restaurant.

However at a table directly across from us right next to the window about 15 minutes after we arrived some people were seated who appeared to be some employees on a date on their night off. The waitstaff were very aware of this table's needs, were stopping, checking and talking to them constantly and they had their meals and drinks very fast!

This upset me and sort of ruined the night for my husband and I when we felt that we weren't getting the same grade of service. Our drinks took forever to come and we ended up not ordering dessert as we saw that tables next round of drinks arrive and we were fed up.

Oct 29, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

We visited here twice during our week in Melbourne. There's not much of a view, as the restaurant is situated quite far back from the river. Although we did request window seats on the top floor when booking, we never got them.

You must book in advance, at least a week, and you must state where you would like to sit, otherwise you will probably end up in the middle of the chaos downstairs where you cannot hear a word your partner is saying.

The food is extremely good, cooked to perfection. It is extremely pricey however. Typical Meat & Wine Co experience, excellent food, extremely expensive, decent service.

Oct 07, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Came here recently for a work function. Work paid so can't really comment on value, but I actually quite enjoyed the food here. Service was pretty good and the wait staff were great about sorting out a vegetarian dish for a colleague. We were a bit hot under the heaters they had set up, but overall a good night had by all.

Jul 27, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Service  1     

Booked for dinner 2 weeks in advance and still only got a late 8.30pm booking. Arrived at 8.25 and we were told to wait in the bar as our table would be "just a few minutes". 50 minutes later we walked out unfed having received no apology or indication of how much longer we would be waiting. Terrible!

Jul 23, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

The Meat & Wine Co is in a great location with good views over the city and the Yarra. There is a great variety of food on offer and there are plenty of choices for any budget. That's a great thing about this place - you can get a cheap casual burger or a top quality steak, without compromising on service.

The service has been top notch the few times I have been, very efficient, warm and attentive. The entertainment they give is great - jokes, friendly small talk and never feel like they are interrupting you. I think a lot of other establishments could learn from this!

Food is generally great, with a wide variety of steaks on offer. In line with the rest of the menu, there are various options from a 120 day aged 300g rump ($29) to 500g+ Wagyu and cool aged steaks around the $50-60 mark with plenty in between. If steak is not your thing, there are plenty of other options. Despite the comment below, I thought the vegies with my steak were cooked perfectly! Crisp and crunchy.

Wine list is not as large as you would expect for the name but has enough to choose from, mostly at the mid to upper price range ($50-80+). There is a bar upstairs with a good deal from 4-7PM weeknights for cocktails, wine and basic spirits for a more casual beverage.

It will not appeal to everyone but the décor is very modern whilst still relaxed, lighting is quite dim but big windows let plenty of light in during the day. The layout almost feels a bit mazey but there's plenty to look at while you move around. It is not for everyone but you won't know until you try.

Jul 14, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  3      Value  1     

I get better rib eye from safeway than the skinny bit with what looked like microwaved pre frozen carrots with couple other veg. Busy, noisy not relaxed atmosphere. Like a fast food place, true restaurant goers of mid to fine food dining will Not like this place. Lamb shank was lovely because you can't go wrong with shank but mash could've done with garlic or butter, as the menu already has garlic mash. They forgot the chips and wine was pre poured in a weird glass, considering its Meat and Wine they failed on both counts. mmmmmm will not go back.

Feb 15, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  3     

I have eaten here numerous times with different groups of friends. This is a summary of the 50 odd times.

Service - 90% of the time we have had to wait for tables, it's probably averaged out at about 40 minutes and the worst time we left after waiting 2 hrs. Have never been offered a sweetner to stay and complaining here seems a No No as the staff just look down on you. Most of the staff are quite rude (if you complain) and the drinks are extremely expensive which is a pain when you're waiting.

Ambience - No real class here, always busy and loud with customers talking over each other. Rather like a glorified school dinner canteen. Food - I have yet to have had a steak cooked as asked for. I prefer well done and have had to send every steak back at some point in the meal to have it finished being cooked. I don't enjoy steaks bleeding all over the plate and I'm sure there was one occasion when a steak actually fought back while I tried to cut into it. Flavour is generally great, but thats probably more to do with the sauces they "cook" the meat in.

Value - One of the more expensive places to eat in Melbourne and certainly not value for money, we have never had a meal here with a couple of drinks for less than $100-150. Wouldn't personally recommend it's more a case this is where our friends seem to want to be "seen". When eating out as "a couple" we tend to head down the road to somewhere else.

They really are value for money where I am hard pushed to have anything other than their 1kg rump. It is excellent value for money at $45 and with drinks and a starter we are hard pushed to spend $75. Sorry M&WCo you've a long way to go to equal them.

Oct 24, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Had the 600g Rib Eye!! And I was impressed. The steak was really tender and well cooked. The service was mediocre for the price you pay at this restaurant, but for the steak is worth coming back for. The price was on the heavy side, but that is just southbank for you.

Sep 26, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

Went there yesterday. The initial impression was a bit funny with three people at the desk looking into a computer trying to find something (our booking?), just looks weird. Anyway, we were seated and our waitress was good, fast with the drinks and food. Actually, she was the best experience of the restaurant, as the food wasn't consistent. The calamari was good, no skin and cooked well. My prawn and meat skewer was horrible, I asked for "well done" and got pretty much raw meat.

Again, the waitress was quick to take it away, but when it came back it was (as in most places) overcooked and burned. The kitchen staffs don't really know how to cook meat there, which is a pity, given the name of the place. And $12 for a shot of bourbon is too much as well. Probably won't be coming back.

Jun 14, 2010