Chiara Wine Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

Let me start by saying that if i am impressed by the staffs customer service I generally leave staff tips, despite it not being customary in Australia. This evening upon paying our bill, we were asked if we wanted to leave a tip, I had chosen not to, given we did not receive one of the dishes we had ordered.

We had asked one of the serving staff to double check on it and to let us know if the chefs had forgotten. If so, we told her we were happy to cancel the order. We were left waiting for 20 minutes with no response.

As such, we decided to leave. After paying the bill, I heard the waitress that had taken our payment, brag to her colleague that she got $2.00 out of us. I checked my bank statements, and noticed that she did in fact charge me extra than what she had advised me the bill was.

I didn't want to make a scene given the amount but I was so shocked at this woman's deception, especially after I had opted not to leave a tip. If you were going to charge me a tip, why did you ask? It's not about the money. It is the principal!

I wonder if the owner of this establishment is aware of what kind of people they have working for them, that they are struggling so much they have to STEAL (because that is what she did, regardless of the amount) from the patrons, and so proudly tell the other staff members.

Unfortunately, this has left a bad taste in our mouths and I would definitely NOT recommend this...

Chiara has a warm, stylish feel that makes it a great spot, whether you're out on a date, catching up with friends, or unwinding after work with a glass of wine.

The menu blends Italian and French with a fresh, modern twist. Since it’s truffle month, we ordered the truffle toast and truffle fries, both were delicious and a special treat. We also tried the fish special and the pumpkin risotto, which were beautifully done. The wine list is just as impressive, with a thoughtful mix of French, Italian, and Australian picks.

The staff were lovely, welcoming and super knowledgeable, which made the whole experience easy and enjoyable.

Overall, Chiara feels a little bit fancy but relaxed and chill at the same time. It's relaxed, full of post-work energy, and serves up great food and drinks in a really inviting space at...

Had client meeting today at restaurant , ordered blue swimmer crab pasta, which I believe was a crowd favourite. Pasta came out with an enormous amount of chilli, enough to bring tears to my eyes, and unfortunately numbing the flavours of the crab and the other ingredients - Pasta was very average. Staff also agreed after tasting dish, however no attempt was made to replace dish or ask if I wanted something else.Left hungry and disappointed. Bill still came to $120 for 2. Discount was provided on dessert and coffee. Ask; review and taste dishes before serving, and ensure customer is satisfied even though there was a malfunction in the kitchen or with the dish itself. My intention wasn’t to come specifically for...