Passing Clouds — Attraction in Musk

Passing Clouds Winery Lunch Experience

Exceptional Winery Setting Undermined by Logistical Failures and some modest food portions.

We booked a 1:15 PM lunch reservation for a pax of seven, understanding the conditions of the pre-booked, three-course set menu and the strict 15-minute window for table retention. While the tasting room staff were courteous and offered a sparkling beverage upon our arrival understandably we couldn’t sit in the restaurant, , the restaurant service that followed was an unacceptable disappointment, ultimately letting the beautiful Passing Clouds winery down.

Significant Timing Discrepancy Despite the stringent 15-minute late policy imposed on guests, we were not seated until well over an hour past our reserved 1:15 PM booking time. This delay set a poor precedent for the meal and wasted precious time from our planned milestone birthday celebration.

Failure to Deliver Set Menu Components The meal delivery and portioning were the primary source of frustration, starters at 2:25 PM. • Starters (Sardines, Hummus, Cold Meats): We requested more bread to accompany the dip none was left. Receiving just one slice of bread, cut in half, for seven people?

• Mains (Chicken/Steak): When selecting our mains of 5 selections, we were assured by the waiter that the advertised sides (salad and fries) would come with the dishes, we requested the salad. However, upon being served our mains later on, we asked about the missing salad and were informed, without prior communication, that the kitchen had run out of salad and we were instead given carrots. It is baffling that a pre-booked set menu can run out of a core component, and that the decision to substitute it with carrots was made without consulting the paying patrons.

• Dessert: The portion control continued with the dessert. For seven guests, we received only three slices of polenta cake. The 2 cheeses was similarly too modest, amounting to little more than a matchstick-sized piece per person.

The ambiance and the quality of the wines at Passing Clouds are indeed beautiful and hold great potential. However, the restaurant food was delicious although the operations lack the organisation and professionalism expected of a private winery dining experience. The combination of the excessive delay was not acknowledged by the restaurant, the chronic lack of essential components (bread, salad), and the clear cost-cutting measures applied to the set menu portions severely diminished the value for money and ruined the celebratory mood.

We drove a considerable distance and adhered strictly to the booking terms; in return, the restaurant failed to honor its commitment to the advertised experience. I would avoid the dining experience here until management can ensure consistent service, appropriate portion sizing, and reliable execution of their pre...

This is a very modern looking cellar door with sleek timber lines. Our cellar door host was friendly and engaging and gave us a very good rundown on the seven wines that we tasted being two chardonnays, a cabernet shiraz, a cabernet sauvignon, a shiraz and two pinot noirs. The grapes were both locally grown and from the winery's vineyards in Bendigo. We particularly enjoyed the Estate Pinot Noir and the Estate Chardonnay. There was a tasting fee that was refundable upon the purchase of a bottle of wine.

As we were booked into the Lake House for dinner that evening we decided to have a couple of small plates from the charcuterie, salumi and cheese menu in the adjoining restaurant. There were some more substantial dishes available on the menu that had been cooked over coals including a half chicken and a rump cap. Our plates of terrine ($14), Jambon Serrano ($15), tomato, cucumber and sheep's curd ($10) with two glasses of estate chardonnay ($30) were very enjoyable and did the job.

The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows that give great light and allows you to easily look out over the balcony to the small lake and the vineyards on the nearby hill.

We will return when next in Daylesford to, hopefully, enjoy a more substantive meal with a good...

Disappointing. After reading other reviews I was excited to surprise my partner for lunch on her birthday. She’s vegan so made sure to call and clarify they could accommodate and booked nearly a month in advance.

When I called ahead to clarify they could accommodate for a vegan I said in jest “as long as your not just going to serve roasted vegetables”. That’s exactly what was served. Roasted carrot for the entree, half a head of cauliflower for the main that was bland and tasted like steamed cauliflower, because that’s what it was.

The lamb I was served was bland, overcooked and grey. I didn’t eat it. My partners words described it perfectly ‘it’s very meat and three veg, but not in a good way’.

The wine however was fantastic. We tried the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cab Sav, everything was delicious.

I raised all of the above with the manager who despite taking no accountability for the poor quality of our meals graciously comp’d part of our bill which was appreciate.

I haven’t spent a lot of time in this area however, compared to venues/vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula, the venue is subpar. Tbh I actually have found that about the entire region. If you’re planning a weekend away, I suggest looking at the...