Red Poles — Restaurant in Adelaide

Absolute rubbish.

We booked a table 2 weeks in advance (by phone) and also called 1-day prior to confirm our booking. Having friends over from interstate, we wanted to make sure everything was still on due to covid restrictions.

Once we arrived we waited about 30 minutes before someone came to take our drinks order - which was subsequently forgotten. One of our friends approached the bar to follow-up and was told to return to the table, despite other people walking into the bar area and walking out with their drinks.

About 1 hour after arriving we received our first drinks, despite following up multiple times. Some (but not all) entrees arrived maybe 45 mins into the sitting but most of our food got to the table at about 1.5 hours. It was not overly busy although most tables were occupied.

The owner / manager blamed the 'internet being down' and for people arriving that they were not expecting - even though tables were set. In any case, you would think the confirmed bookings would take precedence over 'walk-ins'...

We allowed 1.5 hours for lunch, thinking it would be enough time, but since our food only came out about that time we missed our booking at the next venue. We would have left earlier if not being given false updates like 'your order has been prioritised' and other promises. Our meals were not complicated at all.

After complaining we received a measeley offer of $20 off. A joke really.

I am not in the restaurant business. But I would have thought you would staff your venue according to the bookings, and when 'unexpected' people arrive (according to their online booking system) you either turn them away, prioritise phone (confirmed) bookings and be honest about expected wait times, so that people can decide whether to stay or go elsewhere.

We felt like we were unwelcome, forgotten, lied to and then had to pay a premium for a sub-standard experience. It really did put a downer on our day, and luckily we received great service at other venues we visited on the day.

I appreciate the struggles of small business during this difficult time, and I really do consider before writing a negative review - but our experience was so bad that I felt compelled. Other venues have seemed to manage the current situation and still provide an...

A group of us went for the afternoon, to enjoy a wine tasting. On arrival, I checked the conditions as there appeared to be confusion as to what we had already pre paid for. Confirming we had one of three options (wine paddle tasting; cocktail; one glass of wine), the group were informed and selections made. Note, some people had gone to the bathroom during this, and I had advised the server we would relay the information but to check on what they wanted when they returned.||||Independently, one of the group went to seek whether some food options were available and were told they could purchase a bowl of chips. A few others sought to do this too, with one quite rudely told that no one else in the group could purchase as the machine couldn't cope with making chips. Very odd. We didn't think anything of it at the time, however I was later told by a group member that when she went to purchase, she experienced rudeness and was told they couldn't accommodate. She was fine with this, but did not appreciate the rude manner that was directed at her. This was further exacerbated because there was a delay in receiving their wine tasting due to them being in the bathroom at the start. So half the group got their tastings, while the others had to wait. After several delays, the whole group received their tastings. ||||There was confusion over the food as we were informed by the server that more was coming. However there was not more - the exact amount came out and unbeknown to the person who was waiting, the server had offered their food to another table as they could not work out who the food belonged to. Eventually the food was replaced, and the group whom the food went to, went and paid for the accidental oversight - however they were treated very rudely.||||So while the cocktails and wine was lovely (albeit the wine tasting was just a sheet provided, no discussion as to the wines that we had received from other wineries), the experience was marred by the rude service. Several people reported to me how rude the service was and that they did not want to return to the venue again. ||||A blip in an...

A group of us went for the afternoon, to enjoy a wine tasting. On arrival, I checked the conditions as there appeared to be confusion as to what we had already pre paid for. Confirming we had one of three options (wine paddle tasting; cocktail; one glass of wine), the group were informed and selections made. Note, some people had gone to the bathroom during this, and I had advised the server we would relay the information but to check on what they wanted when they returned.||||Independently, one of the group went to seek whether some food options were available and were told they could purchase a bowl of chips. A few others sought to do this too, with one quite rudely told that no one else in the group could purchase as the machine couldn't cope with making chips. Very odd. We didn't think anything of it at the time, however I was later told by a group member that when she went to purchase, she experienced rudeness and was told they couldn't accommodate. She was fine with this, but did not appreciate the rude manner that was directed at her. This was further exacerbated because there was a delay in receiving their wine tasting due to them being in the bathroom at the start. So half the group got their tastings, while the others had to wait. After several delays, the whole group received their tastings. ||||There was confusion over the food as we were informed by the server that more was coming. However there was not more - the exact amount came out and unbeknown to the person who was waiting, the server had offered their food to another table as they could not work out who the food belonged to. Eventually the food was replaced, and the group whom the food went to, went and paid for the accidental oversight - however they were treated very rudely.||||So while the cocktails and wine was lovely (albeit the wine tasting was just a sheet provided, no discussion as to the wines that we had received from other wineries), the experience was marred by the rude service. Several people reported to me how rude the service was and that they did not want to return to the venue again. ||||A blip in an...