Geralds Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

I’m sad to be leaving a negative review as I really loved Gerald’s bar but last Wednesday night the 14/02 I had a bit of a negative experience. I understand Valentine’s Day was very busy and likely stressful for the staff and am not upset at the mistake so much as the waitstaff manager’s response to it. Upon ordering a still chilled red wine the waitress serving us insisted we looked further on the wine list and opt for a sparkling red pet nat instead. The wine had been chatted up a lot (that’s her job I get that) so we went with it instead and were offered a taste. Pretty literally told to try and see if we liked it, I didn’t enjoy it and was apologetic but happy to go with it but we were reassured it was all good and were given the wine we initially wanted to go with instead. A while later we’re told that we’ll have to pay for both bottles. The wine being a pet nat shouldn’t have been opened for a taste in the first place, I’ve spoken to plenty of different friends who work at or manage wine bars or shops and they all agree it’s not a risk that should’ve been taken. Had it just been poured and given to us I would have just taken that and not enjoyed the wine that much, I’m not really someone to kick up a fuss - would have rather that than paid for two. When the time comes to pay the bill the manager is stubborn on even discounting the wine. The waitress was very lovely and apologetic so I feel bad to have gotten her boss involved, I really did not like his vibe. As I was explaining that I understand checking for cork, oxidisation etc. he’s talking over me and telling me the same thing. What annoys me the most is how much he went off about the cork, the wine had a crown lid and was naturally more oxidised. There was no reason for him to be so stubborn on the mistake. After a lot of back and forth he begrudgingly waived the price of the wine (which retails for about $30, a small loss on a busy night.) I was friendly and thanked the manager for doing that to which he slammed the bill on the table and said nothing. I don’t think it’s ok to treat a customer who is being polite and unconfrontational in that way. Especially over such a small loss due to a mistake on their part. How can I check for cork or oxidisation on a wine with a lid that by nature is more oxidised and made to be drunk in the same year? It just shouldn’t have been opened if they weren’t sure. I’m not pretending to be an expert but I don’t like being spoken to like I’m totally dumb. I’m grateful it was waived and resolved but don’t like that it had to be such a nasty condescending interaction to get there. Assuming I don’t know what a cork is on a wine with no cork? I understand checking for it is standard practise, but maybe not for a pet nat.

I’ve worked in customer service for almost 10 years so totally understand customers can be frustrating. But save the attitude for knock off drinks! Complain about me to your coworkers! There’s just no need to be rude and condescending to a customers face when providing a solution to something.

Aside from the waitstaff manager, the waiters and service was lovely, the food really nice as usual and the original wine we chose was...

I’ve been to this place twice, and both times I’ve been completely taken aback at how blatantly rude the staff have been. I was warned not to go here by friends who had a horrific experience with the wait staff last year but I live nearby so decided to give them a try. The first time, my partner and I both were so unimpressed at the attitude we were given by both people who served us and thought it was a shame because it really dampened the experience.

Last night, we got there around 5:30pm and it was a very hot and very sunny afternoon. We asked if we could sit out the front and asked specifically if we could sit in one of the two undercover booths, as one was available. We were told no, they were for people with 4 people and it would be a waste. We thought it was disappointing because there were lots and lots of seats available but that was the only one in the shade at that hour. We sat in the direct sun (the parasols they give you are paper thin and do not offer any sun protection) and ordered a couple of drinks. Within 10 minutes another couple came along and requested that seat, and were given it without any hesitation. It was not reserved whatsoever and they were only a party of 2 as well. I asked the waitress why they were allowed to sit there and was met with an awful attitude and no real reasoning was provided whatsoever. I told her that this was poor form and she just shrugged it off. It was so out of line.

This bar does nice drinks and food but everyone who works there has such a horrific demeanour that it completely spoils the atmosphere and leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. Customer service is absolutely non existent and I’ve never once seen any of them smile or seem even remotely happy to provide help or answer questions. Such a miserable way to operate a business. Plenty of other places around who will actually value you...

ORDERED: 🥦  Broccolini, butter beam hummus, dukkah ($24.00) 🐟  House-smoked trout, kipfler, creme fraiche, trout roe ($28.00)

🍝 Pasta Mista, pork ragu, 3 yo grana padano ($25.00)

🥧  Banoffee Pie, coconut ($14.00) 🎂  Chocolate pudding, cream ($14.00)

It was $60.50pp, including a drink between two.

REVIEW: 💖  Our favourite was the dessert!! In particular, the chocolate pudding blew us away. The airy crispy top. The molten bottom that liquifies into a decadent hot chocolate. It was a living dream. I would order this again in a heart beat! The banoffee pie was a little too decadent and sweet. However, the caramel flavour (definitely no coffee flavour in sight!) was delicious and incredibly addictive. The crispy base shattered my diet but it was fantastic as well. 🤩

✔️  Pasta mista isn't something I typically served at Italian/European centric restaurants. There was an element of fun, seeing all the different pasta types and eating it with the pork ragu and the generous shaving of salted cheese.

❌  The house smoke trout kipfler was not my favourite. I know it's hard to find all the pin bones in the fish. My suspicions were raised when I inadvertently swallowed a couple before I was able to catch one with my teeth before it went any further.  😰 They're thin and small enough not to do any real harm, but it's unpleasant to have. 👎

❌  In house bread had weak game. Felt like it was left out for a while where it had hardened, and it didn't seem like the butter/oil came complimentary. When we asked the waitress, she was happy to accommodate whichever we preferred, but very strange for it to not come with anything. 😬

➖  Service was fine. They kept an eye on our dishes, and were timely with dropping off and picking up our new dishes. The waitress with the brunette braided ponytail was extremely friendly, while I noticed the others seemed a little...