Sodafish — Restaurant in Gippsland

I had walked in during the day with my husband to check on our booking as I had requested that we sit in the verandah area to watch the sunset. I was assured that this would happen. When we arrived we were ushered into a corner, albeit near a window, with one other couple. The waitress said we wouldn't have liked it out there as it was too crowded. Our entrees were nice. Medium sized peel yourself fresh prawns, with plenty on the platter. The menu said king prawns but much smaller prawns of the day came out, delicious though! My husband had scallops and from memory there were about 2 or 3 on the plate . Overpriced for what he had. I ordered steak which was delicious and my husband ordered a king prawn pasta dish. We had waited about half an hour and the waitress came out to inform him they'd run out of pasta. They had made more but said it wouldn't be dry in time for him to have any. Most places have dried on hand. So he went with fish and chips. We waited another hour for our mains with no apologies for our food taking so long. The wait staff seemed to be doing their best with not much communication from the kitchen . We ordered a tirramasu desert. A squewiff small piece of slice came out, mine looked like it was from a cafeteria and had a massive amount of cream slathered on the top with possibly 1 cherry and nothing else on the plate. That dinner was in excess of $200. When paying we expressed our dismay and the waitress confirmed that the wait was due to no communication between them and the kitchen. The food was expensive for what we had, we also had 3 beers and one Chardonnay. We'd had a better meal at a local but prior to this. As visitors to the town, we probably won't go back next time, sorry to say. The venue is in a prime spot. Quite...

This place has great potential but the food was generally not seasoned well, lacked flavour and was not worth the fine dining prices.

I had the chargrilled octopus with chorizo and kipfler potatoes for entree - the octopus was so chewy it was difficult to eat, which was such a pity as the other elements were quite nice. The whiting with creamed corn was more disappointing - no real standout flavours, no variation in texture - just soft creamed corn (which frankly could have come out of a can) and three thin slices of soft broiled fish. If the white balsamic dressing was added at all, it was entirely indiscernible and didn't give the dish the flavour and acidity it desperately needed.

The biggest disappointment was the fish and chips! The chips had the texture of cardboard and weren't salted well. The batter on the fish was thick and flavourless. I'm not beyond paying $32 for fish and chips - but only if it's better than the takeaway across the road!

The cherry on top for me was the $6 servings of bread - which comprised of two small slices of fairly non descript white fluffy bread. Again, I will spend (and have spent) good money on lovely bread - but I felt a bit silly paying, ultimately, $24 for the equivalent of 4 normal sized pieces of fairly ordinary white bread.

There were elements I appreciated - the manager was warm and welcoming as we entered and left. (I won't comment on other aspects of the service as I believe the waitress who served us was new). My daughter really enjoyed her steak ($45). My husband also enjoyed the octopus ragu ($35) which appeared to be a more complex, well textured and balanced dish.

In short, I wouldn't say don't go - but manage your expectations around quality and...

Trying to find the right words on why I have only given 4 stars, maybe my lack of experience with fine dining of this calibre, but fine dining in this scenario I had my weighted expectations of quality care on all levels. Politeness was there and understanding of product was on point. I could simply see the conversation was sometimes one sided and my reply was found on uninterested ears. The old story of 'I'm only here as it's my job and don't care what you want to say'. My partner weighed on the idea that it was because of her background but trying to not come to any conclusions and give the benefit of the doubt that was just an off night.

The food had amazing tastes throughout each course served, although lacking on the final main course in holding together that range of multitude tastes I had grown into over the course of the multi sample entrees. It just lacked a little. Overall though a very tasty meal.

This is my second time here, I would advise anyone to dine outside under the lights with the breeze and amazing views. Inside I found not as comfortable, lacking ambience, and lots of noise from many people in a small venue.

Might visit again sometime, was nice to try but in no hurry to go back.

Last thoughts...price tag felt a little excessive. You fill up more on drink options then food presented. Did not quite meet the idea and expectations.

Confused why it is supposed to be fine dining while wearing polo shirts with logos. Different values on all the different aspects throughout. Lacks blending for one firm weighted idea. Maybe this is mean, I'm sure they work very hard for this to work the way it does. This is just one person's opinion. So give it a go sometime and see if you come to the...