Fresh User Reviews in Yarra Ranges Area

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

This place must be a locals secret. Found it by accident driving between Kallist and Sassafras. Great ambience and food with an Asian bent. Roaring log fire made for a cosy dining experience. Loved it!

May 29, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Best coffee in Healesville. The staff are always so friendly. And don't get me started on the Brownie! Its home made and gluten free (so I can eat it), it's Amazing!

May 22, 2012

4.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  1     

Went there for breakfast and had to pay for my three year old grandson for 3 pancakes that when arrived they had berries right through even though ordered plain. Waiter knew he had done wrong and kept apologising throughout our meal but then tried to charge me $15 for rubbish that my grandson didn't eat.

We used to be able to have a lovely breakfast there on a Sunday and we would go each sunday three adults. However, with the change of a la carte menu, it is too expensive for the quality and level of service. They have lost us as a $90 a week customer.

May 21, 2012

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Had coffee and lunch at Monroe's today, the food was lovely and the service was great.

May 05, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  4     

We are locals and been coming to this cafe for about 2 years. We sometimes sit outside with our Labrador and it's been fine. For the first time we went inside to have lunch and both waitresses were sour faced, didn't smile once and created a very cold atmosphere in the place. The food was nice enough but spoilt by lack of a smiling face. We felt we put them out! We don't want to go back again.

May 02, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Great scones, friendly service, great view over town will be back very soon.

Apr 25, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  8     

The cafe is basic and clean. Great authentic pizza and fantastic views took me back to holidays in Italy. Service was a bit slow, but in fairness when we went it was very busy. All the staff were polite and helpful.

Apr 20, 2012

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  7      Value  3     

Onion.. That's all I could taste in the pad Thai and Tom yum soup. I have so far pulled out a whole sliced onion from the pad Thai totally disappointed the worst Thai I have had so far.

Apr 20, 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

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  3     

Some items were not available, food was poor, ordered seafood cocktail entree, then Tornado Stans Special and both had seafood highlighter the mains steak was definitely not fresh and had a frozen taste and smell, seafood highlighter couple of muscles and shrimp, seams to be cutting costs radically potato hard on edges. Atmosphere old and why play the same cassette tape over and over. This restaurant had only a few guests and is struggling on all fronts won't be open much longer please close as soon as possible. Embarrassing.

Apr 14, 2012

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  2     

Loved the building! That's probably the only nice thing I can say about the place. Very unfortunate! May have been great in its hay day but lacks everything in every aspect. When the music is a cassette player in the corner and seafood extender is considered seafood what more can you say! Sad state of affairs. :-(

Apr 14, 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

5.6 Average

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  3     

After 2 hrs waiting, we still had no mains, so we up and left, never to return. Better service found elsewhere.

Mar 25, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  3      Value  4     

Upon our arrival we were pleasantly greeted by the cellar door staff, who were more than happy to tell us about the wines, we then got shown out beautiful window side table and napkins by the (who seemed to be the senior staff), this is where the great service stopped, after switching wine glasses from our dirty (Pre set ones) and being served our first glass of wine. The waiters seemed to have gone to bed, although one waitress was more than happy to cater for our dietary needs, the food was great, decent portion sizes presentation etc etc.

The only let down was the extremely Slow to non existent service, having to go up and ask for a glass Of wine is not my ideal dining experience (also neither was the Kamaikaze bird who flew into the window right next to my seat) over all I will come back but my expectations have been significantly lowered.

Mar 15, 2012

2.2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Drinks  7      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Quite Disappointed. First time We went there we were served a cold frozen lasagna. Yes it was replaced with a reheated same one, second time had fish and chips and fish seemed to taste odd. When asked the staff we were approached by the senior staff and told pretty much that it was fresh and just defrosted and we should suck it up or get out. Not impressed as we expected to get a little more customer service then this.

In reply to saying the customer is always right he said, Look I'm the senior staff and this stuffs fresh. Not a nice person, good beer, bad customer service and food. Very sad. Just because you own the only pub in the area doesn't give you a ticket to talk to people like that nor serve bad food.

Mar 10, 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 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

The world famous Cuckoo Restaurant is an Australian icon located in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges just a short drive from Melbourne. Beginning in 1914 as the Quamby, a refreshment stop famous for its strawberry and cream teas, it was extended in 1935 to operate as a restaurant and bed and breakfast.

In 1958 the restaurant was purchased by a young German couple who named it the Cuckoo after hearing the call of a Cuckoo in the bush at night. This marked the beginning of an era that has continued on into the 21st century under the constant guidance of Karin Koeppen.

The restaurant is situated in Olinda, one of the pretty villages of the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by beautiful Mountain Ash forest. The decor is in Bavarian style with the staff wearing colourful traditional costume. Being the first restaurant in Australia to offer a smorgasbord, it has become world renowned and constantly receives visitors from around the globe.

Lunching at the restaurant we enjoyed choices from an amazing smorgasbord. We began with Soup of the Day followed by an entrée selection of seafood and European delicacies. The main buffet included Roast of the Day, various meat dishes, German sausages, traditional dishes, vegetarian selections, cold platters, salad bar and much more. There was a delectable dessert buffet with continental cakes and pastries, fresh fruit and Pancakes with a choice of toppings. A comprehensive wine list is available, filtered coffee and tea are included.

With our fellow diners we enjoyed a unique Bavarian floor show which included cowbells, yodeling and traditional songs. Special events run throughout the year with the Oktoberfest a highlight. The visit was an experience we will never forget. Inquiries are welcome and bookings are advisable.

Feb 19, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  7     

Arrived quite late for a possible lunch/coffee and was greeted with very pleasant unrushed welcoming thanks to Jennifer. We were encouraged to taste their wines prior to us being seated and now we were armed with some knowledge to compliment our food selection. Upon selecting our table outside, we were greeted with a stunning view overlooking the Yarra river and surrounding valley.

Initially we were warmly served by Jennifer and later by Scott the manager/chef and were impressed by their warm hospitality. We chose a variety of dishes and enjoyed the marriages of the wine and courses. Overall a great lunch and a very memorable setting.

Feb 16, 2012

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

Food so yummy I love butter chicken and chicken tikka masala value for money. I highly recommend this Indian takeaway place.

Feb 14, 2012

4.5 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  3     

Value is based on overall, service and meal.

I have always wanted to try Three Sugars since moving here years ago. When a friend came to visit Friday just gone we decided to give it a try.

I was surprised to walk in and see no staff. Was I meant to just take a seat? Wait until someone came out front and told me what to do? In the end my friend and I sat down at a table and I went back to the counter. A dark haired woman walked out from the back and looked at me without smiling. “Yes?” she said. This surprised me, surely even a small smile and “Hi, Can I help you” would be the bare minimum?

I asked her about a menu. She pointed to where they were, not saying anything. ok I thought.

My friend and I had a look over the menu and decided what we wanted. Back to the counter. Again dark haired young woman said “Yes?” We told her what we both wanted. She put it in the register and told us the amount, without looking at our faces. I handed over the money to which she took, then gave me the change. Saying nothing.

We went back and sat down and pondered why a Cafe with such a great reputation would hire staff who clearly had no people skills. Our meals were brought to the table and nothing was said from the woman. My friend and I both said thank you. The meal was hot and delicious. Sadly, this was spoiled by the rudeness of the woman working there.

I have worked in hospitality for many years, and know just how important the friendliness of staff is for a business. It really can make a huge impact on word of mouth when people are talking to others about their experience. I was left quite disappointed.

Feb 12, 2012