Anderson Hill Cellar Door Restaurant — Restaurant in Lenswood

We didn't feel welcome at all. It all started with one particular team member who obviously had a bad day. When we pointed that out (as described below), the lady who seemed to be the manager, went around the tables, more than obviously telling to other guests what happened, even pointing at us! We were quite baffled by this never-seen-before experience.

It was a rainy Friday, we dropped by with kids after a day in Gorge Park. Initially we sat outside and asked for wine tasting. The team at the counter OK-ed it but one waitress rudely responded "Oh, I'm not doing wine tasting outside!" We ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc instead (which, by the way, was amazing!) and a cheese platter (crackers were soggy and cherries wrinkled). While waiting for the wine one of many resident dogs bit my daughter's leg (she's 8), luckily she was wearing long pants and high shoes. When it started raining we moved inside. We were advised not to sit in the dining area because we were not eating. So we sat on armchairs in the corner by the old furnace. When dogs started jumping on our kids trying to push them off chairs, the kids sat on the bar stools by the big barrel at the entry instead. The young waitress rushed towards the kids and scolded them for sitting there. We explained to her why they moved away from the table to which she responded that these are dogs' chairs that we were sitting on and that this is their corner. Added that we should have read the note on the door which is clearly explaining something about dogs before coming in. We asked where we were allowed to sit and she rudely responded that we could stay where we were. When we pointed out her unnecessary rude behaviour, even towards kids, she rushed away to back of house not to be seen again for quite a while. Instead, another lady dropped by, explained again the silly dogs' rule, not even apologizing for a dog bite. Then she finally brought our order, 20 minutes after our arrival. While we were sitting there, trying to prevent dogs from stealing food from our platter and from drinking water from our glasses, she walked around the establishment explaining to other guests about the incident, not even trying to hide that she was talking about us by pointing at us followed by the whole table looking in our direction. When we noticed that we couldn't believe it! She even explained the whole matter to the group of guests who just walked in while we were already leaving.

Definitely not the place we would recommend to our colleagues and friends. Despite the...

We recently had our Christmas party here! Reserving the lower area/level for 25 guests. Sampling wines a range of food options, and excellent service, all that couldn't be complained about!!

My thoughts/experience, from my time spent here....

Such a beautiful place from the time you drive up the entrance road, a beautiful structure, a feature that just blends so well with its surrounding environment.

Fully open structure with full length balcony, views uninhibited. The scenery different from every area and angle you look from!

Stepping out from the open dining room onto the large upper area of circular space of lawn, a paved area with a huge wood fire pizza oven, leads down to a large, lower more private area, (both areas can be catered for whatever your needs).

This lower area is backed by natural high banks filled with cottage style plants and native trees, providing adequate shade and places to sun yourself.

The garden sprinklers are lovely when turned on for a hot day providing more coolness especially with a breeze.

The vines are only a stone throw away, with resident chickens making an appearance, roaming through them.

Was so peaceful and relaxing taking all thoughts away, just feeling grateful for the surrounding beauty.

There is many a place to be found to escape on your own for a while, an intimate date or a group function, catch up, or celebratory occassion and more.

The menu boasted fresh seasonal ingredients for their dishes and at a very reasonable price. Was a good diverse selection alongside their so very tasty pizzas! Their pumpkin arancini was delish!

Staff were very friendly, accommodating, helpful and knowledgeable in their products and given the choice to sample first.

Anything needed, was not to much for them to...

We wanted to go and visit the hills after the horrible fires. Anderson Hill seemed like the perfect place, we booked a table at the last moment on a public holiday, they happily accommodated us even though they were flat out. Driving down the dirt road, we saw the burnt out vineyards luckily they were able to save most of them, we were early for our reservation but they sat us early, in a corner overlooking the view. Clearly packed full of people they were turning guests away. The waitresses are really friendly, we ordered a bottle of rose it was amazing, smooth crisp taste not too sweet which is what a rose should be. For lunch we ordered arancini balls, they were really nice however they didn’t have that wow factor, also had the beef cheek doughnuts, sounds strange but amazing! They come with a chilli jam which is packed full of flavour. You will want more, I know I did, the beef cheek is perfectly cooked melts in the mouth, please don’t ever take this off the menu. To finish we had the lamb pizza, so full but we managed to get through it, nothing beats a wood oven pizza. These guys have been through hell over the past few months, and when they can go through all they have be through, still put smiles on their faces and put out amazing food, wine and service, we need to remember to support our own, our locals, #bookthemout all the way! Will...