Songbird Thai BBQ — Restaurant in Geelong

Frankly speaking, one of the biggest disappointing dining experiences I’ve had.

As a foodie I don’t mind spending money for a dining experience that provides a wow factor, however no value or wow factor delivered here instead I feel robbed for what they charge vs what you actually get, I will explain further as to why.

I had high hopes for this restaurant experience, after hearing great things I thought I’d take my partner to celebrate her birthday.

Upon arrival, we were greeted and sat down, things progressed well on that front, we ordered a few cocktails to start and waited for the snacks to arrive.

First 6 nibbling plates arrived, to say the least nothing but a bunch of leaves and dehydrated veg as small as a 50c coin to start off.

A piece of dried beetroot each, a string of dry cod each, a single piece of oyster leaf each (20c coin size) … half a piece of baby fennel each (10c coin size), some air dry bush leaves (seasoned with vinegar / their take on salt and vinegar chips) and finally chicken skin with spread.

As nibbles I get it, it is what it is, just wasn’t anything special just basically leaves from the garden to say the least.

First course was pipis crumpet flora, it was ok, basically a crumpet with diced pipis, quiet messy to eat as all the garnishes fall off upon each bite.

Second course, fermented potato pencil leek chervil. Ok, in simple terms this was nothing but raw washed shredded potato drizzled with dressing, absolutely as basic as it gets, and to be frank, I’d never order this at a restaurant, simply underwhelming and shouldn’t be considered course at all.

Third course was Murray cod emu bush pil pil. Ok this could of been good however the way it was cooked left the cod half raw and half cooked with charcoal burnt skin, it wasn’t well received and was quiet tough to chew.

Fourth course, my partner had the duck, as I am a pescatarian the substitute was 2 pieces of leek???… honestly thought a reasonable substitute for an alternative protein would be fish or equivalent value to duck, but the insult was that the two pieces of leek combined was about 12 cm I mean its an absolutely joke…

5th course was cheese, now the salt on the wound was that on this evening only 3 tables were booked and both of the other tables had a proper induction of where how the cheese is made and cut with theatrics etc showcasing the block of cheese, despite the fluff we didn’t receive any of that, just basically 2 servings of cheese brought to the table, quick spill and off the waiter went.

Our menu showed Oyster ice cream, where was this? We didn’t get what we paid for, very disappointing..

Honestly there are many fine dining experiences across Melbourne for less than $460+ that can deliver a devine dining experience, even if you chose to spend less, ALMA in Geelong is amazing value and you’d spend less than $200 for a couple.

Anyone thinking of trying and doesn’t mind burning some cash to experience minimalistic dining this is your spot, those after value and wow factor definitely steer away and try something else, just being honest.

*Response to IGNI Management reply 1/10/22 *

I can only laugh at the audacity of your response. “The oyster ice cream was due to be served as you got up from the table to leave abruptly” - What type of business do you run when you throw a blatant Lie like this?, when your waiter served us a celeriac tart she informed us this was the “last course”, no one left abruptly nor did I showcase any form of aggression, you have cameras best you rewind and ensure your facts are right before you lie and try to salvage this review with a cover up excuse, absolutely pathetic.

My partners birthday experience was more valuable to me than to waste my time being abrupt over food lol.

“As such, you received only the petit fours in a take away box and there was no time to update your personalised menu” - No time? Yet when I asked for the bill why not inform me of what’s to come? Why would I leave without getting what I paid for?

For this disrespect you lot now deserve a 1...

Dined here and had the set menu comprising of the following dishes:

Small bite size snacks which includes crispy chicken skin with cod roe cream, saltbush vinegar crisps, oyster leaf, burnt citrus glazed radish, dried beetroot with macadamia cream, financier with duck fat topped with duck liver pate, and venison and murray cod jerky. A good mix of different flavours and textures to open up the palette, very tasty starters Fresh spanner crab sitting on a rye crumpet brushed with honey butter, toasted with a soft and moist centre. Probably the favourite dish from the menu Pipis and greens; nice aroma from the roasting, pipis were soft with some contrasting textures from the greens, cooked in pig fat for some flavour. Didn't felt greasy or heavy which was good Cured red snapper and blood orange fruit wrapped with red coral lettuce; fish was lean and meaty with a burst of citrus from the fruit. Can taste the natural sweetness from the snapper but lacking some seasoning Murray cod wrapped with cabbage savoy, grilled with woodfire; fish was tender and the cabbage added juiciness to the bite. There was some earthy herb flavour from the emu bush, chicken broth was gelatinous with a subtle savouriness Brioche with honey glaze; bread was soft and sweet, nice and toasty outside. Paired well with the cultured butter and a bit of salt Dry aged duck breast; meat was tender and the skin was slightly crisp, kumquat glaze added a subtle sweet citrus note. The side of Italian sausage was packed with flavour, not enough to pair with the duck Smoked cauliflower puree and cheddar cheese veloute with grapes and topped with vine leaf; smooth and creamy, sweet with a mild cheese flavour Artichoke tart; roasted artichoke with caramel as the filling, topped with preserved artichoke ice cream; sweet with a nutty note, tart was soft and crumbled nicely Petit four; blood orange jelly and rhubarb tart

Overall a pleasant dining experience; food was tasty but portion size was quite small for most dishes, especially the last two courses. Service was great; staffs were friendly and knowledgeable when explaining the dishes and the food was served in a...

I went IGNI at the end of June. Initial feeling was great. This is one of the fine dining place. BUT! The second dish with some fresh flowers has EXTREMELY disgusting black worms under there, yes, not 1, but at least 2 I saw. I was shocked, this is the first time I saw alive thing in any restaurant in AU I went. I rose my hand and ask waitress to come. She caught the moving worm on the desk, which was nearly running to the end of the desk and almost went to my seat, what a disaster!! After taking the plate away, she explained these flowers comes directly from garden without any "Sorry" or any kind of apologize. I had no good words on mind at that time so I did not try to argue and not want to disturb other customers. They offered me providing the same second dish again if I want, which I don't, risk with seeing those thing again. My partner was also shocked. With following dishes coming, they simply did not mention this thing again. At the end, they still charge full amount. Get discount itself was not my purpose, so I paid. After payment, we mention this accident again, since we wondered if the waitress let kitchen/manager know about this or not. They just behaved like nothing happened after 2nd dish. And it appeared another staff knows, but tried to explain "direct from garden", and made some jokes about farmers can eat those worms, which is nothing like an apologize!! I really have nothing in mind except bad language at that moment. So I keep silent and went out. At any price, especially at this price point, there is no excuse, IGNI did not carefully check food material before delivering to the customer. I'm really disappointing. I understand everyone can make a mistake. But what's that attitude? 2 staffs with the same response, I cannot treat this as incident. Your food/flowers are too fresh, direct from garden so can have worms under it, and go to my desk??? Last if not least, as I known, those black worms have poison can let skin swelling if you touch it. Your joke with eating them, totally lie. It just makes me feel you try to avoid any compensation. Now, only negative feeling remains in my mind. I posted the same content to...