Carosello — Restaurant in Melbourne

Wow!. What can I say? What an iconic venue that has been there for well over 40 years. Well appointed, great vibe, fantastic food, but here is where the “wow” factor stops. After arranging a get together with my brother and sister-in-law, my wife and myself, we booked the venue for 6.00 pm with full understanding as per advice on website, booking pre 6.30 pm, are allotted a 1.45 min time slot. We arrived promptly at 6.00 pm and were seated and from this moment on were bombarded with service. At first we thought, fantastic, very attentive. We ordered a share starter which arrived promptly at the table along with drinks. No sooner had we completed the starter, our mains were put down in front of us. Myself and my brother-in-law had ordered beers, had completed our beer, only to have our glasses and bottles removed from the table and not asked if we wanted another drink. Likewise, the ladies finished their wine, and had their glasses promptly removed from the table. Three of us had completed our main meal, and had our plates removed. My brother-in-law, who ordered the chicken parma, had his final bite on the fork, as he put it in his mouth and put the fork down, he had not even finished chewing, his plate was swiftly removed from him. The time was now, 6.50 pm. We were digesting our dinner, and chatting amongst ourselves, we anticipation of ordering desserts and coffees. As the time got to 7.08 pm, a waiter unannounced arrived at our table with the bill, unrequested, placed it promptly on our table, interrupted our conversation, and told us “he is the bill, can you please make your way to the front to settle the bill, as I have re-booked the table for 7.15 pm” Our booking window allowed us to stay to 7.45 pm, which we would have loved to do. So as to not make a scene, we made our way out of the venue. Notably, there were tables of patrons, who were in the venue, before we arrived, that were still there and not asked to leave, after we had left. So we made out way to Brunettis in Puckle Street to complete our evening with coffees and desert. I would highly recommend that they give this restaurant a wide berth, as we were left absolutely stunned and disgusted. I would point out to the owner/manager, that it is not about just the food and the money. It is an outing and experience for most. If you intend to tell people to leave outside your website guidelines, then you should make this transparent...

While the food was reasonable, the service was not so good, but worse, management are shocking! We had a table booked for 10, which I could only book online with a pre-approved charge of $100 for securing the booking. On the night, we had only 7 of us turn up, with 3 no shows. The terms and conditions clearly state that charges apply at $20 per person that don't show up, meaning I would be charged $60, yet I still got charged $100!! When I phoned up management to rectify the situation and ask for a justified $40, they argued that and completely went against their own T&C's and adamantly refused to process the refund that is well within their T&C's, claiming that business is tight as an excuse which is utter rubbish since they are completely booked out on Friday and Saturday nights with a strict 2 hour turnover. I cannot believe these people are even in business and have the audacity to get away with ripping people off wherever they can and treating customers the way they do as they did me. It was my second time and I will certainly never go their again and I would never recommend anyone to go there after my experience that caused me nothing but stress and time in having to call my solicitor to take it further not for a measly $40 but for the principle. There are plenty of other places to dine out where management actually care about their customers and their reputation. Its not the fact that they have such strict and ridiculous T&C's, but at least follow through with them otherwise what is the point if your otherwise changing as you see fit or as you see a financial gain opportunity....

I have ordered from here on four separate occasions, the food is okay and has always been fresh, the first time I order take away from here, what I assume to be the manager greeted and helped me with paying for and collecting my order. However every other time I have gone here it has been a nightmare.

I first couldn't tell where the entrance was, and when I had found I originally thought it was a staff entrance, as the front desk isn't clearly visible and is right next to the kitchen where order are being handed out, this space is extremely cramped. because of this it is a very award space to wait, since your taking up space that is needed. I was cut Infront by another patron because I was blocked from being able to get to the counter after the person Infront of me had finished paying. All while this was happening there were plenty of staff that looked to be unoccupied, yet none of them came over to ask how they could help, instead I was just informed of plates coming through like a staff member, I felt completely ignored.

I wont be coming back here, and it may be easy to say one customer is no loss, however, how many other people are going to have this experience? And in this area it isn't like people are short on places to choose for food.

Also, it would be nice if the Frutti di Mare didn't just have the seafood placed on top, the cheese should actually hold it down, no one likes their toppings falling off.

In short, it would just be nice if the staff where as attentive to the take aways, as they are...