Copycat Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

When I first visited I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. The decor was fantastic, the ambience was amazing . It’s good for couples friends and even families. I think it’s always fairly easy to get in, even if you’re happy to sit at the bar tables. On top of that the staff are always courteous, polite and pleasant to be around. The drinks and wine selections are also great, so why is this such a low score. Well here it comes. When this place first opened the dishes were always tasty but as time went on the portion size was my only glitch and friends I took along sometimes felt the same. On my last few visits, I have struggled to find something different that appealed but nevertheless, I was still left fairly happy and impressed. I never ever left feeling like that I was disappointed. If you’ve read so far, you might be still wondering why I’ve given this a one rating, so he goes and this review is as much for the owner as it is for the customers.

My most recent visit was a complete disaster when it came to the food . I have considered the chef might be having a bad day, but as the dishes kept coming I felt like I was eating at a different restaurant, so I am going to take a stab in the dark and say it’s a different chef, and not a very good one at that. Sorry chef but that’s what you presented.

The food was all try hard for me and it left me feeling like I was a judge on MKR with wanna be chefs trying out their concoctions., and not very good ones at that. All the dishes seemed to have dill present in them with pickled cucumber on the side, like these two things were a newfound revelation in this chefs repertoire. Is the chef Polish?

Now many may love pickle and dill but I personally detest both which probably isn’t helping this review. Having said that the meat we had was dry and overcooked, the pate was bland and boring and the flat breads unfortunately long gone 😞 with some fried bread in it’s place, which was maybe the best part of the entire meal. Red wine and bread would have been a better option and us leaving feeling hungry.

I recall my partner saying to others that were with us, he always picks the best food on the menu so you order for me, and she was left equally disappointed. So this poor review is based on the quality of food we were served. To add to this, I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve raved about this place and recommended it to people and only this evening a good friend of mine who I told about this place expressed to me her disappointment. She ordered a wine for $65 a bottle and was told we dont have the exact one but one the same. When they got the bill they were charged $95 a bottle and were charged for an extra bottle so this was not good after I recommended the restaurant.

I really try and be fair in all my reviews. I’ll reserve judgement and wait a month and try this place one more time and if it’s no better then like all good things they do come to an end.

Guys (owners) please sort this out, I appreciate you’re trying to run a business and make money but good food and service is a key ingredient. Hope this is...

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Elsternwick, Copycat Bar and Restaurant is a delightful gem that effortlessly combines elegance with a warm, inviting atmosphere. We were thrilled to be invited for an evening of culinary exploration; all while being filmed for their social media campaigns. As always, we approached the night with a commitment to honesty in our review, and we left thoroughly impressed.

Upon entering, the venue captivates with its beautiful decor and moody, soft lighting that creates a sophisticated yet cozy ambiance. We were promptly shown to our and a steady flow of Champagne commenced, and continued, and that kept our spirits high throughout the night.

The service was nothing short of exceptional. Jake, who we believe was the manager on duty, made us feel right at home with his personable charm and attentiveness. It was clear that he wasn't just focused on us; we noticed the same high-quality treatment extended to all the guests around us, even on a bustling Thursday evening. Elena, who was capturing our dining experience on film, was an absolute delight. Her friendly demeanour made the filming feel effortless and unobtrusive. Another staff member, whose name escapes us, also impressed with her meticulous attention to detail as she attended to tables like clockwork.

Now, let’s talk about the food, oh, the food! We kicked off our culinary journey with the Tigelle paired with chicken liver parfait. The moment that parfait hit our taste buds, we knew we were in for a heavenly evening. The balance of flavours and the delightful texture of the tigelle was simply outstanding. Next up were the pig cheek tostadas with pineapple salsa, delivering a big bite of umami that left us craving more. We also shared the ceviche, bursting with vibrant flavours that only whetted our appetites for the mains to come.

For our main courses, we savoured the Kingfish served with fennel, salsa verde, and burnt butter, alongside a perfectly cooked sirloin steak with a delicious steak Diane sauce. The kingfish was meaty and seasoned beautifully, while the fennel and salsa verde provided a brilliant balance. The sirloin was cooked to medium perfection, tender enough to satisfy the hungriest carnivore. We couldn’t resist ordering a side of fried potatoes and let us tell you, those crispy bites alone would be reason enough to return! To wrap up our meal, we indulged in a classic tiramisu, and Jake, the superstar host, made sure we had mountains of it to share.

In summary, our dining experience at Copycat Bar and Restaurant was nothing short of delightful. With outstanding service, a charming atmosphere, and some of the tastiest dishes we’ve enjoyed this year, we wholeheartedly give this restaurant a five-star rating across the board. We left with full bellies and big smiles, eagerly planning our next visit to explore more of their enticing menu. Highly...

We decided to try Copycat after seeing some great reviews online, but unfortunately, our experience didn’t live up to the hype.

First impressions weren’t great. The staff member who greeted us (an Asian gentleman who seemed to be the floor manager) didn’t offer a welcome, smile, or any kind of communication. It felt cold and uninviting from the moment we walked in.

Once seated, he dropped off the drinks menu without saying a word and walked away. We weren’t interested in drinking, but there was no opportunity to communicate that, as we weren’t given a food menu.

We ordered the 300g MB3 Porterhouse, which seemed to be under 300g. The sauce was overly sweet. The orecchiette with cavolo nero almond pesto was extremely salty, loaded with parmesan, and honestly inedible. The shoestring fries were just okay.

When we went to pay, the server asked how the food was. I mentioned that the pasta was too salty to eat, and his only response was, “Not good? I’ll let the chef know.” No apology, no offer of a discount, and no attempt to recover the experience. I was genuinely baffled.

We also found it extremely hard to find a car park, which added to the frustration.

Overall, we felt that they’re more focused on selling drinks than offering...