Grace Cafe

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

We had booked a table for 13 for christmas lunch 2011. This was was our 5th year, and will be our last year. The place has been steadily getting worse since the previous senior staff left 3 years ago. The wait staff was cut to the bone and the few that were there were inexperenced or worse did not care, dirty dishes were left on our table, we removed them ourselves by taking them to a empty table right at the back. We had to wait for 45 minutes to get our first drink, no such thing as a class of sparkling wine or orange juce on arrival.

Some of us had paid $150 which included beverages. We had to chase a waiter each time we required a drink, this included lemonade and coke for the kids. When we finally caught one we still had to wait ages for them to saunter over to our table. As far as the food was concerned lets just say the prawns were very good, desserts disappointing and that is being nice, better not to mention the rest.

I think the Grace has lost interest in doing Christmas lunch. It would be much better for their reputation if they quit. It is no surprise that they last won an award in 2009 about the time that their senior staff left.

Apr 09, 2012 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

Went here last night for a pre show dinner. Service was slow, having to chase up our drinks order after a 20 min wait. Food was overpriced given what we got, and the steaks were very overcooked. One member of staff seemed rather clueless about the menu. There are better options in the city.

Sep 25, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Had lunch here and was so disappointed. The decor is tackily utilitarian in such a beautiful art deco building, I had to ask staff for table water three times before it was finally brought and the jumbalaya was a reheated portion of leftover fried rice with some extra spicing. This for $26? Absurd.

Apr 02, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Had lunch a couple of months ago for $20, pizza (which was prob 4in diameter) with very little topping, glass of house white, and a salad which was not at all tasty. The best part of the meal was the wine.

Then there was a Filipino buffet, again disappointing. I organised a group thinking this is a great experience to introduce Filipino food. I vowed I would return, what can I say but it was Bad. I've been to The Grace now 3 times and have consistently been disappointed. I vow not to return for another meal.

Oct 11, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Had a pleasant dinner at the Grace Cafe on a Thursday night. The restaurant was 2/3 full but still had a nice and quiet atmosphere. The service was professional and attentive.

The food was pretty good especially the lamb cutlets which were tender and juicy. Not so lucky for my partner who ordered them cooked medium but they came out more on the medium rare side.

Only other fault was the 1.5% surcharge for credit card payments, also meals are a little on the pricey side, but overall a good dining experience.

Aug 19, 2010 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

We used to visit the Grace Cafe quite regularly and it's gone so far downhill. Our meals came out cold, not just room temperature but they hadn't been cooked in the first place and obviously were kept in the fridge. We waited for ages to have our orders taken and then staff left our finished plates for over 30 mintues until we eventually couldn't wait anymore and walked up to pay.

I could believe it when the bloke who did the bill for us asked if everything was ok and when he told him he told us that no one else was complaining. Everyone else at other tables were saying the same thing. We overheard them. I came away feeling irritated and ill from my supposed light lunch sitting badly in my stomach. Never going here again.

Response from Management:
Hi Katie,

Thank you for your feedback, As the Manager of the Grace cafe I take your feedback very seriously.

I’m very concerned that our usually high standards at the Grace were not kept during your visit. Katie, we pride ourselves on making sure that each and every guest that comes into the Grace Cafe has an enjoyable experience, that keeps them coming back and as a result we have many regular customers.

Katie, I do apologies that on this occasion our food and service did not meet your expectations. I would like to investigate this further to ensure that this does not happen again, and as such I need to get more information. Katie please contact me via email mark.stack@gracehotel.com.au and I would be happy discusses your unsatisfactory meal.

Aug 10, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  7     

Went here for dinner and enjoyed the night. We didn't have to wait too long for our food and I especially enjoyed the environment of the place. It's got nice and high ceilings and the lighting gives the room a nice relaxed feel.

Service was ok, but it was hard sometimes to get the waiters attention. However, when being served they were quite friendly and nice. I ordered the rump steak that night. It was cooked to perfection and the only problem I would have is that it didn't have mushrooms (which the menu said it would have!). But apart from that, a nice place to sit and be able to have good conversations.

Jul 06, 2009 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

A must try when they have their annual Haigh's chocolate dessert promotion. This is a friendly hotel lobby cafe where the staff are professional and the menu offerings are basic.

Apr 27, 2009 

4 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  4     

Disappointed that Pendolino was closed at The Grand early last Sunday evening my friends and I stumbled across The Grace in hopes of a pleasant surprise to our tastebuds and a nice place to wind down the week.

I ordered a medium rump steak ($32). What came out was an overly well done piece of meat. My arm ached from trying to saw pieces off and I tried to imagine a more tender piece of meat as my jaw had trouble grinding it into a more digestible morsel for my stomach.

Service could be improved upon. We were pointed out to a table which had a reserved sign on it and waited several minutes uncertain whether the staff had got this wrong. Throughout the meal it was also difficult to get their attention having to wave our arms as we gave up on eye contact.

What's more, our change was not given back but assumed to be a tip. Being courteous girls as we are, we decided to let it go rather choosing never to grace the irony of The Grace in future.

Nov 22, 2008 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  3      Value  1     

I had dinner at the Grace Cafe last Sunday night due to lack of options on this night of the week. I had a sirloin steak while my partner had a surf and turf platter. While the seafood looked alright (though nothing special considering the $40 price tag), my plate looked worse than a pub meal: Absolutely disgusting piece of meat (in fact, both of our steaks were among the worst meat quality I've seen in ages- even $10 pub steaks are usually far better) on a bed of cheap greasy fries accompanied by some obviously frozen vegetables. My meal was $36 and even half of that would have been a rip off. Staff also incompetent and reacted very helpless when we complained about the quality.

Sep 15, 2008