Queenies — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

I would love to love this place more but the poor service and extremely overpriced food is a huge detriment to this venue.

After my first time I was not intending on going back, but a friend was having a going away dinner and chose the venue.

I attended with an open mind hoping that my first experience was a one-off.

I understand the economy is in poor shape at the moment, but to pay $19.50 for a small bowl of 'hand cut' potato chips, is eye-watering! And they were average at best.

The cheese board was also mean-spirited in its serving size with only about eight Sakata crackers. We had to ask for more. It seemed the raw, and boring Pepitas were thrown on as an after thought. Having them lightly toasted for crunch would have been a nice touch and could be achieved in prep time. I'm not sure if the chef has experience in pricing a menu; the cheese platter was $22.50 - only $3.00 more than the potato chips. How does that work?

We also had the Calamari dish. Wow, another mean/small serve for the price.

Sadly, I'm not sure the owner has previous experience in hospitality, as it was like watching the blind leading the blind as far as service was concerned. After my own years managing and running cafes/restaurants, it took all my will not get up and start helping! It was painful to watch and the service and flow could have been ameliorated with a few considered changes and direction.

We had to ask several times for plates and cutlery after our dishes were served. We also waited nearly 30 minutes for our drinks - there was only six of us and the restaurant wasn't that full. In total there was one person behind the bar and three waiting staff on the floor. I'm so sorry to say, but the only thing that's keeping this place afloat is the great ambiance (including the dazzling bar), music, otherwise I'm not convinced Queenies would survive.

I'm sorry if this review seems harsh, but I rely on honest reviews when I try new places and if you're a true foodie, I would sadly not recommend this venue. I'm perplexed at the high star ratings and was eager to try this place based on the good reviews. But I put that down to most people not having a clue or understanding of what good food and service really is. And sadly, willing to accept average hospitality.

Food: overpriced, average quality and mean/small serving sizes. Service: lacking - inexperienced and clumsy! Atmosphere: excellent and the only thing going for this venue.

I hope this review is taken as constructive and can help improve what could be a restaurant with great potential. I wish this venue...

I don’t normally leave reviews but I had to comment on how the service has gone downhill the last six months. A friend and I commented just last week on the bluntness/attitude of staff when previously it’s always been a lovely time. I booked days ago for family visiting out of town and received a phone call at 6pm on the night of the booking (Saturday) trying to pressure me to move to an earlier booking time (despite booking a time more than 2hrs before their advertised close time of Midnight) because ‘we want to close early’. On arrival at the bar we were greeted by the blonde girl at front of the house who was so rude and had a terrible attitude - clearly we were inconveniencing her by walking into the bar! She rolled her eyes, spoke down to us and was so openly unpleasant that our family who were incredibly taken back all opted to just leave straight away rather than stay where customers clearly weren’t welcome. We went to Tipsy Bull instead and had friendly and welcoming service for the rest of the night. So disappointing that what has always been a good venue is being let down by staff that clearly do not want to be there and think they’re better than...

Unprofessional, poor service and crude.

After seating ourselves in the restaurant we were given some table water and menus. After over 10 minutes we went up to the bar and clarified whether or not it was table service. We were told to order at the bar as it was after 9pm. We ordered and paid for our drinks. We then waited over 20 mins for our drinks. I went up to the bar staff to ask what the delay was. I was met with a curt and rude response of ‘I’m the only one here making your FIVE drinks’.(3 of which were the same cocktail). Thrown off I returned to my friends. 5 minutes later the woman ‘Millie’ brought our drinks over, told me off for complaining about the time delay and then called me a ‘bitch’ in front of the entire venue and threatened to throw me out. I found this completely inappropriate and unprofessional. I later tried to clarify with another bar staff what had happened, when another young woman interjected and told me I ‘deserved it’. I cannot fathom the unprofessionalism, Completely inappropriate! Terrible service and terrible staff. I understand places are understaffed but there is no excuse for...