Royal Mail Hotel Birregurra — Restaurant in Birregurra

Birrregurra has some high end dinning so I guess the Royal Mail felt it necessary to up their game. Therefore don't expect prices in the cheap pub grub range, they're more comparable with a better class Melbourne suburban hotel. Let's see how we fared. We expected to eat in the bistro but despite many empty tables we are told the group occupying one are preparing for an important musical concert starting TWO AND A HALF HOURS later. Not being local royalty but definitely bemused we settle for stools at a table in the bar. A note on the nicely presented menu says "No changes" because they "love" their menu. Its often a red flag as this means the chef believes it's more important to serve up meals that suit them rather than the customer. Who is funding their wages again? Mmm so the steak ($55) is out as I don't like it cooked the only way on offer - medium-rare. I prefer medium which does not seem to upset most chiefs. Sigh. I order the Roasted Lamb Rack ($49) but no they are out of that. Fair enough I guess it's possible to run out of one of the main meat dishes. My wife is mostly vego so takes a simpler approach and orders the Pan Fried Greens but at 12.30 on a Sunday they are OUT OF GREENS too. Realising this is not going to be the happy experience we expected, we politely thank them and leave. I'm giving a star for the attractive refurb and another for the pleasant staff member we dealt with throughout who was working under difficulties. If she also happens to be the owner then she might consider getting a better organised chef.

I acknowledge many reviews have been positive but note some mentioning extreme rudeness so I'm glad we didn't encounter that - and obviously I can't comment on the...

Will not return or Visiting the area from Melbourne. A large group of ladies. We were greeted beautifully by the host but it was all down hill from there when the service offered by the owner was the most appalling Ive ever experienced. He was overly abrupt and clearly aggravated when taking meal orders. A steak meal was sent back, with many apologies, as it was quite underdone. He intercepted the waitress, took the plate from her and returned to our table demanding who the meal belonged to and wanting to know what was wrong with it. We said it was not cooked to how it was ordered and he blatantly said it was cooked how it should be. We showed him the other steak on the table that was ordered to be cooked the same way, there was a significant difference, and he huffed off with the plate. His demeanour was aggressive and insulting. The meal was then returned to the table over the shoulder of the guest and slammed down on the table with a condescending “Voila” The steak was the same piece that had been re cooked and funnily enough her plain gravy had been “garnished” with peppercorns. Another guest of the place watched them (the owners and staff) as they laughed when we noticed the spiced up pot of gravy. I have never experienced such hostile service. His whole persona and attitude was absolutely disgusting. We were a big group of friendly ladies who were prepared to spend the night in spending our money over the bar after dinner but after the service offered we couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Absolutely shameful behaviour. DONT WASTE YOUR VALUABLE TIME OR MONEY AT THIS...

It comes with great regret to be ever writing a review of this nature. However, it seems to me that management may need to council their senior staff. I certainly appreciate the amount of money that has been spent on the look of the place but no money in the world can excuse rudeness of staff. it may well be the only pub it the truly delightful town and after my experience at The Royal Mail Hotel Birregurra, albeit brief, as I do not tolerate any form of rudeness or sarcasm an had turned around and walked away. I urge the greater public not to be aware and not enter this venue until attitudes change as we all work hard for our money and their are many places that understand customer service and just because you are the only pub in town certainly does not give you assurance you will be there tomorrow and urge the owners to appropriately train the staff of customer service, positive attitude and respect. I unfortunately have been burnt and will never be back. Good luck and hope the owners take my review seriously, so as they may have a chance to recoup the expense that has been payed to...