Rodd & Gunn The Lodge, James St — Restaurant in Brisbane City

If you're in the mood for an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than The Lodge. From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear this place is committed to excellence in every aspect of the dining experience, from the food to the service.

The Steak: Perfection on a Plate Let’s talk about the star of the show—the steak. Cooked to absolute perfection, each bite is a testament to the skill and precision in the kitchen. Whether you prefer your steak rare, medium, or well-done (although, let’s be honest, it’s hard to go beyond medium-rare here), the kitchen nails it every time. The meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with a perfect sear on the outside. The seasoning is simple yet expertly balanced, allowing the natural flavors of the beef to shine through without being overpowering.

The sides also deserve a mention—crispy duck fat potatoes, roasted broccolini that retain their natural sweetness, and a refreshing salad that complements the richness of the steak without competing with it.

Customer Service: A Step Above As incredible as the food is, the service at [Restaurant Name] is what really sets it apart. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm, making you feel like a VIP from the moment you sit down. They know the menu inside and out, offering excellent recommendations for wine pairings and making sure your glass is never empty. It's clear that the team is well-trained, not just in the logistics of service but also in creating a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

The manager even made a point to stop by our table to check on us, which is a rare but appreciated touch that elevates the experience. There’s an attention to detail here that extends beyond just the food—everything from the ambiance to the timing of the meal is spot-on.

Ambiance: Relaxed yet Elegant The ambiance at The Lodge strikes the perfect balance between casual comfort and refined elegance. The lighting is soft and inviting, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere that works equally well for a romantic dinner or a celebratory meal with friends. The decor is tasteful, with modern touches that add a sense of style without being over the top. The music is at just the right volume—present, but not intrusive—allowing for easy conversation.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Visit All in all, The Lodge is a destination for anyone who appreciates a great steak and outstanding service. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to return time and time again, not just for the food, but for the whole experience. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and book a reservation—this gem is not...

An extremely disappointing experience was had the other night for a 50th birthday dinner with family.

Dinner for a group of 10, for a family dinner, at 6:30pm due to the some of our group being a little older. Service was incredibly slow even though the restaurant was far from full. We were seated just prior to 6:30pm, the first round of drinks took almost 30 mins to arrive. We ordered entrees and mains at approx. 7:00pm. with the mains not arriving until 9:30pm. Whilst our waiter was extremely polite there was no reason given as to why the meal took so long. Free appetisers were offered during the long wait - unfortunately, the ones provided did not meet the dietary requirements of the people they were given too. When the mains arrived, they were barely warm and 3 were missing. Two orders had been completely missed and the third was given to another table. The eye fillet was nothing like what was described by the waiter and the market fish was a not a fillet it was a disc of fish pan seared. It lacked flavour, especially for what was supposed to be goldband snapper.

The most disappointing part of the evening was the manager never came near the table to discuss the issues or apologise. The young waiter was left to deal with the issues and offer discounts relayed from his manager. In my opinion there are many places in Brisbane that can provide you a better experience than The Lodge. We went to dinner the following night at a similarly priced restaurant in Brisbane, with the same sized group and the experience was fantastic - great service, great food.

At this price point I expect far better than what was provided...

Second visit and definitely the last. First visit, everything was great. Second time around, service and wine as great as the first time. Food on the other hand was a complete disappointment, and I'd go far as saying an embarrassment to catering.

My partner had the Globe Artichoke entree, which was simply a trimmed artichoke sitting in a pool of earthy tasting goop. Minimalism i get but seriously, this dish has not been thought through for long enough, lacking elements and textures. Whatsmore, at these prices, a little effort to presenting a dish artfully is commonplace, why not here? Too basic for what it is and how it's presented to justify the price. I myself had the Scampi for entree and it was hands down the driest, saddest piece of seafood I've ever had. For my main course I had the Pork Loin, which was chewy and dry. Mentioned this and was told that "Chef says that is how it's supposed to be". Well mate, I think you should go back to culinary school in that case. While you're there, learn some humility and accept when you've let a badly cooked dish leave the kitchen, instead of attempting to gaslight returning patrons. 0/10.

If anything, it's the chef's response to my complaint which was the deciding factor in leaving this review.

My thanks to the FOH team, wonderful, friendly and...