Jack Rabbit — Attraction in Bellarine

Visiting from the SE suburbs of Melbourne for a gathering to celebrate a 90th birthday, I and many others could not have been more disappointed. All 26 of us arrived for our pre booked (+3 months in advance) celebration. Drinks have to be obtained and ordered from the cashier, you’d think there would be table service for a pre booked group gathering in a private room, not here just the standard bistro style bar service. Our tables were not set up to cater however they did rectify once notified. At some point they tacked on a couple that did not belong to the group on a table behind us, they were kind enough to request to move once they realized they’d been put at there obviously as a last resort table. Entrees were barely touched by the guests. I witnessed kitchen staff using their bare hands to roll sundried tomatoes around a plastic square container prior to plating. When the mains came out there were major issues. Frozen Lasagna on three separate meals, multiple meals ordered incorrectly, undercooked chicken (please see photo), dry polenta, absolutely nothing spicy about the cold tinned chickpeas rolled through some watery sauce on a two day old piece of underbaked pumpkin. The bottled orange juice I ordered was the only enjoyable beverage for the day. When entrees or plates returned to the kitchen barely touched not one staff member queried concerns. The toilets extremely unhygienic, the flush does not take away the toilet paper let alone what the previous person has left in there, the side sink with no paper towel a hand dryer that blows recently washed hand residue onto the bench. COVID breeding ground. This place is also not suitable for disabled or elderly with multiple trip hazards and no wheelchair access to the toilets. This venue was chosen for its impeccable service when a family member with a group of four had a wonderful experience. I do not recommend this venue for large groups they simply don’t have the service capabilities and standards other winery’s have. I encourage the owners of this winery if large group bookings appeal to check out D’Angelo Estate Vineyard in Officer. On multiple occasions with large group bookings I have had nothing but a flawless experience.

Unfortunately the weather was no good so we weren’t able to soak in the incredible views this place would have on a clear day. If you want to sit somewhere loud, crowded, eat pricy sub standard food among a large group of friends whilst drinking store bought drinks this is the venue for...

JACK RABBIT WINERY – 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine

Jack Rabbit has been on the list of restaurants to visit for quite some time and over a break away on the Bellarine Peninsula we got the chance to visit and are very grateful we did. Let me be clear upfront, we will be going back.

I look forward to seeing this place on a summer’s evening when the views from the dining room or the verandah will be absolutely spectacular. It’s a bit dark at this time of the year.

It was a special occasion that called for a special venue and that is exactly what we got. A bright and beautiful restaurant with excellent service throughout the evening. I was told the person looking after us was a newer staff member so the level of professionalism and the warm smile show dedication to training and setting a standard.

Let’s get to the important bit, the food, oh, and a drink. My partner tells me that the Jack Rabbit Pinot Grigio is an excellent drop.

We debated sharing dishes (the usual approach) but were both very keen to try the Swede Roman Gnocchi with a mushroom ragu, macadamia fetta, fried sage and collard greens so that was our mains. It was accompanied by a beautifully fresh salad of charred cos lettuce with Spanish anchovies, parmesan, pangratatta and a buttermilk dressing.

This is no ordinary gnocchi, in look or taste. The gnocchi is a long rectangular cube shape and has an intriguing texture and delicious flavour (see picture). The mushroom ragu were scrumptious with an intense depth of flavour and the fetta and greens just added to the sensation.

Desserts were the choice tonight rather than entrees and we opted for a cheese platter and the Crème Caramel with cinnamon almonds, apple textures, toasted milk and maple Chantilly.

We need to go back to try other options like the Smoked Beets, Lonsdale Tomato tart or the pan-seared market fish.

No matter where you may be staying on the Bellarine Peninsula you are not too far from Jack Rabbit and should most definitely make the effort to book a table and indulge. This is seriously good food in a...

I went to this place with my friends to have some food and wines. The view was beautiful and the place looked very nice too.

One of my friends went in and talked to one of the staff asking a table outside, as there were many tables available. My friend was told by a lady that there were no tables available with outdoor umbrellas because they couldn’t open them anymore due to the wind. (which we thought it was understandable, so we just hung around outside enjoying the view for 5 minutes. ) Then, we saw another staff bringing other customers in and started to open an umbrella. We went talk to the staff, asking why other people could have the table outside when we were refused. That staff told us that it was the only umbrella they could open. My friend told him that she was told by another lady there was no more umbrella that they could open, and he looked confused and went to talk to the lady.

They were talking and looking at us like we were troublesome. The way they treated us made us feel very uncomfortable, and we think it was kind of discrimination(My friend and I were the only asians in the group and venue.)

It could be very different if they responded in a sincere manner, but how they talked to us was unprofessional. I have been in Australia more than 10 years and I like its wonderful hospitality and diversity. I have never felt this kind of discrimination and we were very...