Ginger & Chives — Restaurant in Melbourne

Ho K ... where do I start this? Me and a couple of friends of mine have been eating Vietnamese in Melbourne for FORTY YEARS... That's when all our other friends used to FREAK OUT asking what on EARTH we were consuming... Its a GREAT thing that Vietnamese is now among the TOP dining experiences in this country... because it remains for me the best of all foods eating out. Just my opinion.

THAT being said... what can I say about this place. The food was... hmm ok I guess. My issue is with the waiter. I'm not so sure how to take him when we went there. Was he trying to make me feel dumb or what?? I asked him how long he had been there ... to which he angrily answered something like for or five years.. ok, good. We were talking and I asked him where his family of origin was from (region)... he answered like I was the dumbest arse that ever lived... He pointed to the Vietnamese sign and asked where do you reckon (Rolling his eyes)... ummm... I KNEW we were in a Vietnamese restaurant.. I eat in them at least twice per week for a good twenty years now. Then, almost anything else I said.. he was critical of. In another life (and if I was not there with my friend)... I would have acted very differently to what I did so I just sat there like a humble little westerner doing as I was told. His behavior made us both extremely uncomfortable to say the least. Anyway... we finished our food as soon as we could then left to get the rest of our meal elsewhere.

I think it is very very important that people like this waiter (the owner I think) take a step back and try not to be so defensive (about the food) and so offensive (trying to act superior). We get it waiter... youve done WELL Good on you. Very very happy for you but mate.... try to check your attitude. I do more to SELL Vietnamese restaurants than put any down. And I never have done so... until perhaps this honest review.

The food was... just ok .. just ok and the Venue was GREAT which absolutely confirms what I have said for forty years now.. the LESS done up a Vietnamese place is the MORE AUTHENTIC it is. Give me PHUONG NAM (Preston) ANY day over this... at LEAST the owner who can hardly speak a word of English (which worries me not... its just that this waiter at this place was trying to... OUT Aussie the Aussies with his Larakin behavior DID NOT WORK!) is a superb bloke and so so welcoming and happy that we have come there.

BTW this review is NOT 4.5 as it appears AFTER I have written it. It IS in all reality...

Thank god this place has been able to allow dine in again! We are so incredibly happy that we can finally go back there. The meal we had was even better than we remembered! First of all, the venue is so super clean. They are sticking with the correct social distancing laws and really cleaning each place thoroughly between customers. There's absolutely no concern or risk of catching anything nasty there! The food is incredible. It is fresh, fast and unbelievably tasty. They have a good vegan/vegetarian selection and again, it tastes so amazing. There's no greasy or oily dishes. The flavour of each ingredient really jumps out at you and the portions are huge. The salt and pepper tofu is a strong recommendation along with the spring rolls. We also had the new dessert item - banana fritters. Wow, just wow. If you think you know banana fritters, think again! Not only is the food on point but the service is just brilliant. You will not be waiting. We have always been greeted with a a kind and friendly manner again, have never been left waiting. Checks backs are regular but not too frequent. It's such a relief to see this place has made it through the worst (let's hope!) and the lockdowns and now continues to thrive. They do take away too if you can't get down there. If there were more than 5 stars to give on here, I would without...

I called and booked about 6 weeks in advance for My partner and I's upcoming anniversary. In between booking and the dinner, there was a lockdown (typical), so I called to make sure our booking still stood after the lockdown.

This didn't go un-noticed by staff, who asked if the booking was for an occasion. When the anniversary was mentioned, the staff said they would try and organise something so we would have a nice night. I didn't expect anything too fancy, maybe a 'Happy Anniversary' from the staff on the night.

When we arrived, we were welcomed to a glass of champagne which was lovely. After an excellent meal, as we were sitting having a chat, the Owner came out with a Banana fritter, two spoons, and a little cake topper with a bride and groom. They also took a polaroid photo of us together, giving us the photo as a momento of the day.

This blew both of us away, so much so that I'm writing this review a month after the dinner almost. It was the nicest gesture, they went above and beyond and we will certainly be returning to support this...