MĀRE Restaurant by La Luna — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

Prior to arriving at the restaurant, we checked availability online and saw that multiple booking slots were open. Since we were only ten minutes away, we decided to head over as walk-ins, expecting it wouldn’t be an issue.

Upon arrival, we waited to be acknowledged, but were overlooked until another group entered after us. At that point, an older gentleman approached, and I politely asked for a table for two. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, he paused, looked at us, and curtly stated that the venue was fully booked. His tone and demeanor came across as dismissive and judgmental. Given what we had just seen online—and the visibly empty dining room—we initially thought he was joking. After a brief exchange, it became clear he was not, and he proceeded to speak to us in an unwelcoming and rude manner.

We were dressed neatly and appropriate nothing extravagant, but certainly presentable. As someone who has previously owned and operated hospitality venues and has worked closely with many businesses in the industry, I was shocked and disappointed by the experience. There is no mention of a dress code on the website, nor was one prominently displayed at the venue.

What was supposed to be an enjoyable visit quickly turned into a frustrating and disheartening experience. To be refused service without clear cause and in such an unprofessional manner was deeply disappointing. Whether the decision was based on personal bias or another reason, it very disrespect-able.

We chose to take our business elsewhere and ended up dining at Moo Moo in Broadbeach, where we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed...

Greetings, I gave a good Google review last year which apparently received over 500 views!

On Saturday however I took Melbourne visitor to lunch at Mare, at noon. To my shock we were squeezed in between three long tables full of partygoers, with another long table near the glass window awaiting a large group later apparently.

The noise was deafening and as a result it was claustrophobic. We could not hear the waiters explain the Specials. We basically ordered one item each, did not order anything alcoholic and escaped as quickly as possible, paying on the way out.

It was hideous and uncivilised. We should not have been lumped in amongst the raucous revellers but offered a table near the waterfront, which could have been reconfigured for the large group when we left, which was asap. A favourite restaurant of mine to take guests has become a trashy unpleasant, impersonal place where waiters and managers did not demonstrate the gumption to relocate two people discreetly out of the middle of basically a scrum of over 40 people and allow guests a civilised dining experience.

Do better Patrick Genarri restaurants...

We visited for Father’s Day and were among the first to arrive. Things started off really well, service was prompt, drinks arrived quickly, and the baguette was delicious. Unfortunately, the experience went downhill from there.

Entrées were served sporadically and one was forgotten altogether so had to ask were it was. I had ordered two small dishes and the Parmesan truffle chips as my main, but one of the dishes was brought out as an entrée. This wouldn’t have been a big deal, except when everyone else’s mains arrived, mine took another 10 minutes, after we had already waited close to an hour since finishing our entrées. In the meantime, other tables were served, so we ended up being one of the last groups to leave.

To their credit, the hostess eventually acknowledged the delay, but it did take a while before it was addressed. I also hadn’t realised when booking that it was more of a beach club atmosphere, with loud music, or that there was a 10% surcharge.

Overall, the meal started strong but service and timing issues...