Wharf Bar & Restaurant Ballina — Restaurant in Ballina

I wrote this email to the company after my experience, never got a reply.

I am writing this email after having just left your restaurant for dinner. I had a good day in Ballina and this dining experience has put a damper on an amazing day.

I was very disappointed in the service I received tonight, I can only assume you were understaffed as the place wasn't packed, in which case it would have been appreciated before we were seated to have been told there might be a delay with our meal.

After waiting about 5 minutes to be seated we ordered our meal. Our drinks came our pretty fast and we asked for some water which also came out quickly (albeit it was warm and no ice was supplied). About 15 minutes later our garlic bread arrived which was quite nice.

After we ate our garlic bread is where our experience turned downhill

the garlic bread plate was on our table for 30 minutes after we finished eating

our empty glasses were there the whole experience and we were never asked for additional drinks, nor was there an abundance of staff around to ask for additional drinks

the people behind us in the queue to be seated got their meals about 20 minutes before us, they had finished their meal well and truly before we for our meal

we asked two staff members, after 50 minutes when our main meal would be ready, it took a while to get a reply, which was it was just being plated

about 10 minutes later we finally got our meal (seafood linguine)

the meal was ok and definitely not worth the hour plus wait and was very "light" on the seafood.

when we were leaving 10 minutes later a table of 7 were getting their mains!! I would estimate they arrived 45 minutes after us!

not once did anyone ask if we needed anything, how our meal was or was overly friendly.

upon finishing we headed to the counter. The lady who seated us, I assume her name is Christina, assisted us with paying. She gabbed a docket off the desk of $159 and asked us if that was our docket. She seated us, she was the first of the two people we asked about our delayed meal (who after 10 minutes never got back to us which is why we asked again) and just assumed that was our table, which it was not. I did not feel that this person, who I assumed was some kind of manager, had any sort of customer service skills or really cared enough to ask how our dining experience was. There were only 2 of us and we probably didn't spend as much as other people but we still deserved a pleasant dining experience.

I am quite appalled with the service and lack of empathy. No apologies or asking how anything was. It was a letdown as the venue was nice and we were starving.

I look forward to hearing from you.

The photo includes the seafood we got with our meal...

There was 4 meals ordered at our table (my birthday outing). After an hour and a half later 3of the meals were brought out, after inquiring what was happening with our orders, but the 4th did not come. After a while I asked what was happening with my meal, the lass went away only to return to ask if there had been 2 of the same order of Black Lip Mussels in spicy tomato sauce to which I replied that was correct. She left then came back to say that the meal was on its way.

Finally, my meal arrived! I popped the first mussel in my mouth and noticed it was very slimy so took it out of my moputh to look at it - it appeared to not be cooked so I tried another only to find that it was also slimy - a sure sign of it not being fully cooked. I again called the lass to let her know this. Apologising, she took the dish but returned with a male staff member who told me the the chef said that the shells were open so they are cooked and then asked me what meal I would prefer. I said I would like the mussels but was told that they would be the same and to pick something else. Disgruntled and very annoyed and unhappy I ordered fish and chips - not what I wanted as a birthday dish at all. No apology, nothing.

The mussels were definitely undercooked which, if I had eaten them, I would have been dreadfully ill.

I was asked to write a review. I emailed them tellling them that I was surprised that they asked as they would not like my review. I reiterated about the undercooked mussels and the negative response I received from them, etc. I got no response back after giving them a full month to do so, so I decided that they were not concerned about my telling people about...

The food at Wharf Bar and Restaurant Ballina is simply outstanding. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, all of which are made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. I had the grilled barramundi, and it was one of the most delicious fish dishes I've ever had. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the accompanying vegetables were perfectly seasoned. The chef takes the time to source the freshest ingredients, and it shows in the taste of the food.

The service at Wharf Bar and Restaurant Ballina is also top-notch. The staff is friendly and attentive, and they always go the extra mile to make sure that you have a great dining experience. For example, when I ordered my fish, the waiter asked me if I wanted it cooked to a specific temperature. I said that I wasn't sure, so he brought me out a piece of raw fish so that I could see for myself. He also offered to recommend a wine pairing for my meal, and he was spot-on with his suggestion.

The atmosphere at Wharf Bar and Restaurant Ballina is also amazing. The restaurant is located right on the river, so you can enjoy stunning views while you dine. The interior of the restaurant is also beautifully decorated, with exposed brick walls and wooden beams. The restaurant has a casual and relaxed atmosphere, but it's also elegant and sophisticated. It's the perfect place to go for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.

Overall, Wharf Bar and Restaurant Ballina is a truly special place. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly memorable...