Sandgate Post Office Hotel — Restaurant in Brisbane City

We went on a Sunday a few weeks ago to get some snacks to share and dinner for my 1 year old. We have been a few times before since the refurb and we like the relaxed atmosphere and they have my partner’s favourite cider (or did) on tap so we usually come when we’re in the area.

This was the second time we’ve been in the dining room since the refurb. First time wasn’t anything to write home about but we thought we would give it another go.

We were sat and it was very quiet and service was fine at first then it went downhill.

Had to ask to order food despite there being only one other table and 3 staff stood around. Had to ask for our water jug to be refilled. Didn’t turn back up so had to ask again.

Our food came and for the price we paid the portions and food quality was not good. 2 pieces of tiny slices of bruschetta for $21?!?! The cost price on that dish must be about $2 max. Ridiculous. And it was just ok. The croquettes were clearly overcooked or the oil was dirty as they came dark brown and was literally just deep fried pulled apart meat. Not much flavour or anything more to it for $20. We asked for mayonnaise to go with my son’s chips, we decided against a kids meal at $17. We were told they don’t have mayonnaise. Then overheard another table being offered aioli and had to ask for that.

There was no upselling, no one asked if we wanted another drink, we had to flag one of the staff who was stood around.

We were asked at the end ‘how was everything?’ To which I replied not great. This was promptly followed by ‘are you paying cash or card?’. No acknowledgment of what I had said. Why ask if you don’t care to acknowledge what the customer has to say? You have to be prepared for it to go either way when you ask that question.

When she came back with the card machine I asked if she wanted to know more, she said ‘yes of course we are always keen to hear from our customers’. I explained our experience as above and said I had expected better food and service for the prices they charge. Sure, I know the cost of things is going up but these are prices I would expect to pay for amazing food and service, an unfortunately this place has neither.

I was told our feedback would be passed on to the kitchen, no mention of working on the issues I raised about front of house and was handed the eftpos machine. On reflection there was probably no point saying anything as it didn’t seem to be taken on board when I am really just trying to provide feedback. So here’s hoping it will be heard this time. We won’t...

Lunch Sunday 1.9.24, my 82yo mother booked for 12.30pm & led to a booth in bar area. Once seated, given menus. Waited for 15mins until I asked a waitress if anyone was taking our order/drinks. Told to order at bar. Ordered Caesar Salad/chicken & my mother ordered the salmon with vegetables. We waited over 2 hrs for our food. We understand kitchen was busy but not once were we notified upon arrival or ordering there was a long delay...if so, we definitely would have gone elsewhere. Kitchen hand forgot to add caesar dressing & the chicken was not grilled but chicken bought probably from Woolworths next door. I could tell the salmon was dry. My mother said she has had better but ate half of it because she was hungry. However, upon returning to our car to leave, my mother advised she had trouble getting her fork through the salmon. I definitely would have asked for my money back! Our lunch date was not a pleasant experience whatsoever. In response to your reply to my review, you are making excuses and patronising my honest review. Firstly, WE WERE NOT INFORMED there was to be a delay receiving meals. I contacted hotel at around 12 noon to query availability. Advised there was a cancellation. We were not told there would be meal delays. Arrived and led to bar seating. No problem. Asked waitress if we could order from restaurant menu. Yes, so she asked another waitress to retrieve one. Waited for 10 mins - waitress forgot about us. Asked waitress again for menues. Ordered the Salmon and caesar salad. I will reiterate that we arrived at venue at around 12.30pm and did not receive a meals until after 2pm. The salmon was overcooked and dry, thus why my mother had trouble eating it - she advised it was tastless due being overcooked, but considering we waited for so long and hungry, she ate half of it! To say that the skin of the salmon was the reason it was difficult cutting through is because the skin was also overcooked! I have dined at many restaurants in Australia and overseas and am fully aware when fish is overcooked. When the young waitress brought us our food finally, we did advise her we waited for two hours, arriving at hotel at 12.30pm. Very disappointing and a...

Really want to support the pub - it’s a beautiful landmark and I respect management keeping the venue pokie free, used to love eating and drinking here before the reno. Have visited since the change maybe about five times, average but nothing they would stop me going again. Because the deck dining no longer allows dogs hadn’t had a chance to try the restaurant menu yet, but tonight was the first time they would take us as a walk in and we were seated in a lovely spot overlooking the garden and fairy lights. I ordered the chargrilled eggplant and my husband had linguini marinara. My husband thought the marinara was okay, but the eggplant was inexplicably not good. When it first came out it was so obviously undercooked I felt it immediately with my fork - I took one bite to make sure to also find out it was bitter and barely seasoned. I let staff know hoping they could save the dish. My five minute wait for the return of my meal went on so long (staff came to apologise and explain it just wasn’t cooking through) my husband finished his pasta and ordered and half drank another pint. It was weird feeling I understood more about this dish then the kitchen - over large eggplant can be bitter and temperamental if not treated right and the method of cooking just didn’t work let alone a fundamental lack of flavour in the dish. I don’t understand how professional people in food could produce this. I probably ate about a third of it to put something in my stomach, even the arugula was unpleasant and drowning in dressing. Paying $117 for one average meal, one close to inedible meal and a couple of drinks with no “how was your meal?” (it was obviously not good) or offer of some sort of recompense was quite shocking, though staff did say they’d share my feedback with the kitchen. I do want to see the pub succeed but we’ve tried quite a few times now, understanding it takes a while to get up and running, but this time was the worst yet. I really miss the old kitchen and the old menu, let alone the fabulous staff who used to serve us though the wait staff were obviously trying. I hope you can take this as feedback...