AFLOAT — Restaurant in Melbourne

Two of my work colleagues and I had a disappointing time at AFLOAT and left for a different place. My colleague tried to make a reservation for a Wednesday evening, but a staff member assured her this was not needed as there would be plenty of space. The space was genuinely packed on arrival, and the staff member told us it was unlikely we would find a table, but she was "happy" for us to look around the space to see if we can find one.

Unfortunately, we did not feel welcome or looked after, and this impression continued.

We did find a table in the end. However, the table was extremely dirty. Things get busy and I understand so I asked a waitress if I could please get a cloth or someone to come by to clean it. Another lady came, but only cleaned half the table (?) Can happen and maybe she did not notice, but she ran off so quickly that I had no chance of making her aware. I tried to find another staff member, but not one person was making any eye contact. One waitress told me she could not leave her spot while another just said "No". It was just all so awkward and almost comedic!

Most cocktails are just "on tap" and the bar staff will not make it fresh. Unfortunately, this was evident in the taste of Espresso Martini. Way too expensive for what it's worth! The salad was nice, but came without plates or cutlery. So again, we tried to find a staff member who could bring us plates, but yeah not easy to find anyone able to help. My colleague does not drink alcohol and ordered a mocktail. She waited for 40 min and when she reminded the bar staff he literally poured a little bit of juice into a small glass which he mixed with water. That was it, for almost $19. It was not tasty and we had enough so she asked for her money back. She did this politely and was told "no problem" with an annoyed eye roll by the waitress. I had only a sip of this Espresso Martini and we just left as it was a waste of our rare evening together. Also, are you looking after the river? There is so much rubbish in the water next to your spot. Just sad to witness.

AFLOAT team, I understand your spot means you will always have enough people visiting! I get it, but could you not at least try to care for your visitors? Like a little at least?! This was by far the worst hospitality experience I had in years and I get it can be a tricky job. However it was genuinely so bad! and only one staff member was lovely, polite and cared enough to make us feel welcome. Going out, for many people, is a luxury as life is expensive so please stop ripping off your visitors just because you have a "prime" location. Such a shame you do not seem to appreciate the river or the people who want to enjoy its beauty. Melbourne has so much more to offer and I hope this review reaches others.

Before you reply with your 'signature' reply.. I have emailed you. I do not believe you care, but thank you in advance...

DO NOT GO – Melbourne has much better places to give you a great experience for your money!

UPDATE: I have just check other reviews after writing mine, and the common theme is poor staff and poor customer experience. Seems that reviewers for weeks have been saying the same thing and the owner keeps replying with an apology but obviously nothing is done to improve the situation for customers.. below is my review I posted before reading others reviews...

Orginal Review: Jan 2021 This use to be a great spot to grab a drink and some good food in a great location on the Yarra... it is NOT anymore. I have been multiple time (more than 6+)

Please see my other reviews it is rare that I write a one star review..

But this last fews times i visited have been terrible, so it needed a review..

The drinks are over priced, the food is ok but average to good in quality and only just passable in quantity.

But the biggest let down is the staff.. you arrive and no one is there to welcome you aboard, when you finally find someone they ask if you have a reservation, and the moment you let them you don’t - they give you a set of instructions and send you on your way - I could not remember the set of instructions.. except sit anywhere except reserved tables.

There are no menus or qr codes on any tables, at least the no reserved ones that we found.

We chase someone down and finally we get a menu... there are LOTS of staff milling around but no one seems interested in customers.

The staff don’t seem very concerned about a global pandemic either - 1/3 have their masks around their chins, 1/3 have them only over their month (ie under their nose - why do people even bother!)

We finally place an order - having to go to the bar to order.

Do not order the cocktail carafe which is supposed to be three glasses of cocktails , but is in fact only two with lots of ice ... we asked if this was right and the first person we asked was totally disinterested and we were told he was just a waiter.. we then had to find someone at the bar and was told it was correct and that was normal.. little interest in our dismay. Have a look at the photos - we paid $45 for those two cocktails... and there is ice in those glassed too.

There was a mix-up in our meal order and still no apology in fact I was starting to feel like it was my fault...

The food was ok - but expensive. The bread was great!

This is one of the iconic places in Melbourne, it...

Dreadful service. Worst I have ever experienced in Melbourne. Lie after lie, poor organisation by the Chef's (both my brothers are Chef's, we know how this gig works), the list of stuff ups is long.

We booked this in advance, relatives visiting from several hundred kms away for NYE. Our booking was 1:30pm to 4pm. We arrived early, ordered our food at about 1:40pm. Most meals arrived, not one. Some were average When questioned at 2:35, the Chef (not wait staff) tells us they did not have the Prosciutto to make that $34 Pizza, someone should have asked what replacement we wished to have. So, I went to the Bar to order a replacement dish for my father. After queuing for several minutes, as I reached the front, one bar attendant yells to all others, "no more food orders, kitchen is not taking anymore orders". When I told them the scenario, still didn't budge - they made an error and they cannot force one additional order through when it's just shut! EARLY. Then, I return to the table to assess our strategy (not quite 3pm yet and not everyone has had lunch). What do we see? Chefs wrapping rock melon in Prosciutto for the evening service for NYE. Clearly they had the ingredients for the 1:40 order!

So, the kitchen shut at 2:45 when we our table was told at 2:40 while I was queued, last orders would be 3:30, the bar was told it was closed already. We were lied to about ingredients not being available for the original order. No one made a correct decision to have the kitchen make a meal to cover their mistake, all I was after was the Pork Roll. I managed to get a refund on the missed meal, that is little consolation for no meal after 2 hours and being lied to more than once.

Appalling management really. If these people are not able to manage a venue of this size, get new management. Head Chef was clearly not organised for NYE, despite the venue shutting at 4pm to prepare. If they weren't running a set Dinner menu, they deserve the turmoil. I wouldn't go back...