Melbourne Winery — Attraction in Melbourne

From the moment my foot graced their threshold, it was unequivocally clear this was no mere midday repast; it was an event, a symphony of refined vivacity. The very air hummed with a sophisticated resonance, a melodic blend of hushed intellectual discourse, the delicate clinking of crystal (not, alas, my own, but we shall elaborate), and the subtle, yet potent, promise of boundless epicurean delight. The ambiance itself was a veritable masterclass in urban chic, a harmonious fusion of industrial gravitas and elegant repose, designed to simultaneously envelop one in comforting familiarity whilst elevating the spirit to unparalleled heights of pampered indulgence. The Aquatic Masterpiece Now, let us turn our cultivated attention to the piscine triumph. Oh, the fish! To merely label it "fish" would be an egregious understatement, an insult to its sublime artistry. It was a culinary ode, a lyrical sonnet plucked from the deepest, most pristine azure depths, performing an exquisite ballet upon the discerning palate with ethereal grace. Each succulent, pearlescent flake of that market-fresh marvel, lovingly caressed by a sauce so divinely conceived it surely must have been whispered into existence by a council of benevolent ocean deities, was a profound revelation. The accompanying saffron potatoes were not merely potatoes; they were diminutive golden nuggets of perfection, each imbued with the sun's radiant warmth. And the erbette, ah, the erbette, a whisper of verdant freshness, a judicious counterpoint that cleaved through the richness with an almost surgical precision. This was a dish that did not merely sate; it elevated, it enlightened, it sang an aquatic aria upon my very tongue. The Elixir of Sophistication And then, the mocktails. Ah, the mocktails! Cast aside, I implore you, those lamentable, saccharine concoctions masquerading as non-alcoholic beverages. These, my dear connoisseurs, were liquid masterpieces, each a vibrant symphony of nuanced flavour and delicate effervescence. My palate, refined through years of dedicated discernment, first revelled in an "Elderflower & Lychee Spritz" that tasted precisely as if a summer garden had spontaneously unfurled on a benevolent spring breeze. This was swiftly followed by an "Apple and Coco Mule," a veritable tropical tango of piquant spice and revitalizing zest. The "Jumong" was a concentrated burst of pure solar energy in a glass, a vibrant citrus explosion that meticulously cleansed the palate, preparing it for the next glorious, anticipated bite. I experienced not a scintilla of deprivation, no fleeting yearning for the more boisterous alcoholic brethren of the table. Instead, I luxuriated in the intricate complexities and refreshing purity of these liquid jewels. My chalice was never, and I reiterate, never devoid of its precious contents for more than a fleeting nanosecond, a testament to the utterly impeccable, indeed, almost telepathic service that anticipated my every hydrating desire with an uncanny prescience. The Unseen Maestros The staff, draped in an aura of effortless professionalism, moved with the silent, fluid grace of highly trained aestheticians, materializing precisely as a vessel neared its depletion, whisking away plates with a flourish so subtle it bordered on the imperceptible. They were not mere purveyors of sustenance; they were the unseen maestros, the meticulous orchestrators of my profound gastronomic joy, ensuring an unending stream of deliciousness and an unwavering standard of impeccable service. Melbourne Winery's Bottomless Lunch is not for the uninitiated, nor for those who merely seek quotidian nourishment. It is reserved for the true epicurean, the relentless seeker of sublime experiences, the discerning connoisseur of unadulterated joy. I departed with a profoundly satisfied constitution, a spirit soaring to celestial heights, and a deep, abiding appreciation for a culinary voyage that was, unequivocally, over the top in the most magnificent, indeed, the only acceptable, manner possible. Bravo, Melbourne...

An entirely hilarious experience! I booked at table for 6 people for the Monday night deal. It was to celebrate and engagement and a birthday, which i wrote on the booking (where it says we will do everything possible to celebrate blah blah) First things first, when we had a question about the menu we had a very stuck up passive aggressive girl telling us she'd 'take our phone' and show us.... instead of listening to the question. After being told 'thats just the menu' after asking questions they had to come back to the table to tell us that their menu online wasn't updated and that they'd have to take our order again on paper! Some of the group had already paid for theirs online and were told they'd be refunded the difference if there was one. Meals came, all delicious. No issues there. Got up and asked for salt and pepper, no salt in the salt grinder! Table wasn't set for all 6 when we got there so stole cutlery and glasses from other tables as staff seemed avoidant and we didnt have one specific waiter as you would usually have, just lots of people all, seemingly, not knowing what they're doing. Went to till to ask if I could order birthday dessert with a candle. Was told that the menu had changed and 'not sure what was on it' lol Said I'd come back to order, which i did, and specified two desserts with candles for birthday. Asked if I wanted them now and I said 'shortly' as one of the girls was in the bathroom. 25 minutes passed and no sign of dessert. Went to check again and staff got irritated with me as I didnt know the table number, yes pointed to the table. Another staff member helpfully stated the table number, and desserts were confirmed. I again mentioned the candles. 10 or 15 mins later the original condescending waitress came with two desserts. We awkwardly sang happy birthday to which she said 'oh you should have asked for a candle!' I said ' I did! Twice!!' There was no cutlery at all on the table for dessert, as table for cleared. Last but not least, when i went to pay no apology was given for this, only 'you never came back to tell me when you wanted the dessert' We were charged full, despite the people who had paid online. We got the money back in cash, but we did not feel like anyone actually cared, and that no one was on top of the orders at all. Overall, the dinner and wine deal is super, but the running of the place is a shambles. Staff need to communicate with each other and not blame customers for not knowing table numbers etc. Would like to go back as its a cool place, but feels like it needs a...

Sunday lunch with friends in the city, that sounds nice ; we had seen there was a new winery in the city that looked promising, an appealing blend of design and innovation. The online presence was enticing, and the space itself boasted a stylish fit-out that immediately set high expectations. When we arrived, the ambience impressed with a large, open room artfully divided by wine barrels into more intimate sections, and an open kitchen that hinted at culinary creativity.

As for lunch, the initial atmosphere was ok, until the ordering process began. Rather than a welcoming interaction, an overzealous waiter bounded over and directed us to scan an almost unreadable QR code on our table. Despite our familiarity with technology—none of us are Luddites—we struggled with the system, watching as another couple opted to leave rather than deal with the inconvenience.

When the drinks eventually arrived, they were delivered with a noticeable lack of warmth or interaction, further emphasising the impersonal nature of things. The culinary offerings didn’t redeem the lunch either. Watery scallops, halloumi with an off-putting leathery texture, and rubbery octopus left us longing for the quality and regretting our choice of venue.

Just when we thought the experience couldn’t worse, it did. By this stage we wanted to leave but there was still a charcuterie board to come - eventually it arrived Yet, even as we fumbled with our phones to place another drink order, the situation continued to frustrate. The drinks never came to our table, forcing one of our friends to make multiple trips to the bar—only to be told by the bartender that they had been waiting for a waiter to deliver this order. No waiters in sight.

Ultimately, the initial allure of this new space was completely undermined by the appalling service and disappointing quality of the food. I cannot in good conscience recommend this venue. It’s clear that for all its visual promise, this winery falls short of delivering the essential warmth and execution required for a memorable dining experience—I won't be back. A potentially great venue and innovative concept was overwhelmed by a service and food quality that left much to be desired. A reminder that even the most visually stunning setting must be paired with attentive service and consistent quality to...