Florian — Restaurant in Melbourne

If I could give zero or negative stars then I most definitely would! Walked with my baby grandson literally around the corner to this cafe and found no seats available outside so walked in and for ease sat at the table nearest the door which was empty. I sat as far to the wall as possible and tucked the pram in so that normal access could be had to the rest of the cafe. I was then approached by a young woman who asked what I wanted and as I was still sorting the pram said “A Babyccino to start with and then I will decide what I want for myself”. I had intended on choosing a cake and having a cup of tea but the woman then said I had to move the pram as I was blocking the doorway. This was patently untrue and I proceeded to say that the pram was now only taking up the same space as a person seated at a chair. She rebuffed this and most rudely told me to move it and sit myself in one side of the table and my grandson on that other!!!! I replied “No, he is too young!!!” and again she was affronted and said she didn’t know why I was talking to her like that. I said I don’t know what your problem is. After further rudeness she moved a few feet away saying that someone would take my order at the table. I then moved my grandson and I to the opposite side of the table and pushed the pram right up against the wall so it was most definitely NOT obstructing anybody in any way. She then came and asked for my order. I was by now not thirsty nor hungry (not spending more money here than necessary) so asked for a Babyccino. She responded “A Babyccino, that’s all?” and I replied “Yes, thank you”. She repeated herself with a rude tone and a foul look at me and then spoke about me to the actual waitress and both then looked me with derision. I said I was not going to be spoken about and the first woman attempted to explain herself but seriously I am no fool unlike someone suggesting a baby sit opposite his grandmother. She said she is the business owner and I said I would never be coming back and as I left declined the TAKE AWAY Babyccino that had already been prepared she held out. So I wasn’t even going to be allowed to stay!! Disgraceful behaviour by her and into the bargain she claimed that the table had been booked for lunch for four. Lunch at eleven? And the website says no bookings, walk ins only! So was she telling a blatant untruth?? Or is she just a rude person?? I think I now know. Don’t try walking in with a pram and if you take my long earned opinion, don’t go there at all!!! P.S. Having just seen the response to my tempered review (many rude glances, highly disrespectful tones of voice and arrogance, plus plain old stupidity not mentioned) I feel I must say there was absolutely ZERO POLITENESS in any of the exchange between myself and the “this is my business “ girl from the moment I walked in the door and, upon reading other reviews, it appears the food might be okay but the staff not so much!! No surprise there as others have been treated in much the same disdainful manner!! The woman I called a moron as I reversed the pram out of the cafe claimed she was the business owner and was the person who suggested a baby sit alone on the opposite side of a large table to his carer - me!!! How am I to control warm liquids etc across a table?? How do I keep him safe?? I am a mother and a grandmother and 60 years old and some upstart youngster being unnecessarily rude and then to top it off downright ignorant very clearly fits the “moron” tag in my humble opinion. I had had enough of the disrespect and absurdity so called it like it is!! Sorry love but respect and decency outweigh your ego and your cafe (which doesn’t take bookings so should I add liar to the tags?) which will suffer from your disrespectful...

Came here for the first time this morning as I was craving pastries from a bakery that I really like and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately everything else did. Ordered the roast chicken sandwich, omelette, iced chocolate and a flat white. Everything was so mediocre and overpriced especially the omelette. Iced chocolate did not taste chocolate-y, only tasted like milk. Flat white was flat and tasteless. But the most disappointing part was the service. When we got there we got offered a table inside so we sat down and looked at the menu. On the menu it said to see counter for pastries. So I naturally went to the counter with my partner but there was literally 2 baked goods left. A lady in a white top with her hair up in a claw clip was wiping down a surface and our eyes locked. Didn't even tell us that she'd be with us in a minute or asked if we needed anything. Just let us stand there until she's done with her task. When she finally came closer to me I said I'd like to order one of the baked goods, to which she said "sorry, table services only". I said "oh okay but I don't know what this pastry is called", she said "just say the last pastry". ?????? I was honestly speechless, she locked eyes with me, let me stand there only to say table services only, and wouldn't even tell me what it's called? I then sat down and observed the counter for a bit. Everyone. else. was. ordering. at. the. counter. It was a different staff though. And I could see her repeating their orders while tapping on the ipad. I don't understand what the weekend surcharge is for if your ASIAN customers are being treated like this. and what's the point of telling someone to order at their table when they're already at the counter and the ipad's right in front of you and creating inconvenience for your customers? When I was getting the bill another lady acted as if we purposely stood there by reaching over me for the receipt without saying something like 'excuse me', and you guessed it no one asked us how everything was. Honestly disappointing, will not come back. Oh btw if you're wondering what the name of the bakery is, it's @austrobakery, don't even bother coming here. Also don't hire someone...

TLDR: Rude staff and average food.

My friend and I ordered the chicken sandwiches and one pastry to share. The food was okay and in my opinion nothing very unique or outstanding. Perhaps try their actual brunch dishes if you decide to visit since those seem to be the more popular ones. I liked the aesthetics of the place. It was cosy and decorated with vintage vases and such.

My main gripe with this place is the staff who I found very unfriendly. I usually don't write reviews but my friend and I just felt pretty unwelcomed since the start. All of the staff except this one girl look like they hated being there serving customers. The blonde who I think might be the supervisor as well as the curly haired girl at the pastry counter really just looked like they hated being there tbh. No thank yous and not a single smile. You'd think an establishment might only have that one wait staff who looks unhappy but nope, both were equally unhappy looking and during my whole 1 hour or so there, the vibes really just weren't very welcoming (in consensus with MANY reviews left by others who have mentioned staff being rude and abrasive).

When we got served the chicken sandwich, I politely asked for cutlery and the blonde made some side comment while still looking unhappy about how "it'd be much easier eating it with your hands but i'll get it for you anyway", as if I wasn't aware of that. All I wanted was to not get my hands dirty. I felt like that comment was frankly quite unnecessary and I wasn't quite sure how to feel about that.

As someone who works in hospitality I can honestly say the standard of customer service was disappointing and very much absent. If not for the staff, I might have reconsidered returning to try their other dishes but I don't think I'll be back. Please take on this feedback and retrain your staff because with so many other cafes in Melbourne that deliver both quality food and service , I don't see why anyone should be subjecting themselves to subpar service like that.

Edit: Just found out the blonde is one of the cafes co owners, which is all the more...