Henry and The Fox — Restaurant in Melbourne

DISASTROUS AT FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS! The most disappointing, inedible food and a huge waste of our money.

In April 2016 we had an event for 65 people in the back 'function' room at Henry and the Fox. In the lead up to the event the staff were helpful and generally very responsive and considerate. On the night of the event however it was quite a different story. Our entrees were extremely late (served over an hour after we asked them to be) and not all of the tables received one. The waitress on the day advised another plate would come but it never did and instead spent the next hour filling up everyones wine glasses (we were paying by the bottle, and it was quite clear the wait staff had been instructed to make this their priority over the food which we had already paid for - therefore they could get more money out of us opening more wine bottles than they could serving us food). All of the above could have been passable if it were not for the inedible mains that followed. The guests were supposed to be given the choice between a fish, pork and beef dish, however by the time the waiter was at the second table our guests were told the beef had run out?! The fish and pork dishes that arrived were unseasoned (Note: Not UNDERseasoned but just completely NOT seasoned!) and very, very, overcooked. The main I personaly received on the night was the most tasteless, inedible plate of food I have ever been served. My pork tasted like cardboard and after the first bite, the plate sat there untouched, it was so awful. The most difficult thing to comprehend is that the kitchen seemed to be aware that the food was not seasoned at all as the waiters brought 2 salt and pepper shakers when they served the food and placed them straight on a table among the guests. That left us all with 2 salt and pepper shakers to be shared among 65 plates of completely unseasoned food.....it was honestly bizarre and furthermore quite insulting that they thought it would be acceptable. I suppose it didn't matter, because no amount of seasoning could change the fact that my pork dish tasted like cardboard as was the verdict from others around me, similar again with the fish. To top is all off one our guest received his food 90 minutes after everyone else. 90 MINUTES. No acknowledgement of how late the dish was either. The vast majority of guests were still starving after our inedible dinners so we shouted some of them mac donalds on the way home to apologise for the fact that they were leaving our function so hungry and unsatisfied.

Henry and the Fox may be able to do a decent breakfast for 2 people (which, i guess is not too difficult when I think about it) but it was evident that evening that they are not equipped to deal with event functions whatsoever. It was so disappointing for us and such a waste of out money (almost $5,000) on food that no one could eat. The reason I took so long posting this review is because we patiently waited for months for a manager to contact us so we could provide our constructive feedback, we're not asking for our money back we just think the staff and management need to acknowledge what happened that evening was unacceptable and in turn I also want to put the warning out to those looking for a function space for food and drinks that their guests will enjoy, Henry and Fox is unfortunately...

Upon walking into this restaurant, it seemed like a warm oasis from the cold city air on a Saturday arvo. First waitress was courteous though we did wait a while for the menu and the place was almost empty. She was lovely and apologetic so no full critique there. When the next waitress came along to take our order my handbag was all of a sudden wobbling about (I had it balancing on an umbrella that was neatly tucked away beside me). 'Just had to move your umbrella so no one trips over' she says abruptly. I look down and around me thinking, no one was around to trip on it firstly and I didn't think my umbrella poked out that much at all if we are going to nit pick about it. Next it was my friend's turn. She wanted to order some wine. Before she ordered I believe she asked the difference between the two Wine's and the waitress said that the more expensive one was definitely the better choice. My friend asked if the dearer wine was fruitier and the waitress had no idea. She offered a taste and described the wine in a detailed fashion which might have even been mistaken as helpful if it weren't for the huffish and puffish, Basil Fawlty attitude about her description that was unwelcoming and seemed to be compensating for the fact that she was deep down wishing she worked at The Ritz hotel (P.S if you're reading this, there's still hope for you darling). In the end my friend preferred the taste of the less expensive wine... Next came another waitress who we thought might have been the manager. We were approached by her while deciding what we wanted to eat. She asked if we were planning on getting anything on the breakfast menu (which was to stop in ten minutes). We both confirmed we would not be ordering from that part of the menu and we were close to making our order when she abruptly removed the menus from us...I was thinking of ordering the chicken katsu burger. But... then the new menus arrived. My friend asked is the burger was on there and it was. I'm not sure why she did that so dramatically when we had confirmed we were ordering from the regular side of the menu anyway? Seemed they had some secret code for etiquette that was foreign to other eateries in Melbourne! Bizarre. The very same lady came around us a few times, must have heard us talking about the service and then gave me the death stare...in her last interaction with us she had appeared to have changed her attitude - her saving grace. Finally, my friend accidentally spilt her wine and the waitress who hated on my umbrella and my friend's wine choice saw it and turned her back. By this time the restaurant was still not busy. The service is.... Drum roll please... Atrocious. The food OK. The Creme Brulee ordered by my friend was more like a custard tart like texture. My sweet potato fries were nice. I'm quite surprised by the high star reviews here based on this consistently awkward and unwelcoming...

A friend and I booked dinner at Henry and the Fox before we went to see a show in town.

The Fork had 50% off food, which is a fantastic deal.

As soon as we walked in, I was already impressed - the atmosphere was beautiful and the place was full of suited corporate workers at the end of a busy Thursday.

We got seated at our Reserved table straight away and shortly water and menus followed.

Our waitress was fantastic. She asked us what the plan for the evening is and, when we told her we’re going to the theatre, she checked what time and where we had to be there and said she’ll ensure we get looked after as a priority, so we’re not late. This was entirely her own initiative, which was above and beyond our expectations.

The menu looked very attractive and she was happy to offer some recommendations.

As we arrived during Happy Hour, I wanted to try our the Espresso Martini. I asked her what it’s like and she advised that some people find it a bit sweet and, if I don’t like sweet, I may not be happy. Before I managed to say anything, she had already gone to the bar, poured be a sip to taste, and brought it back to me. Once again - above and beyond! I said, “What about some Gin & Tonic?” Minutes later, I had a massive glass of Strawberry Beefeater and Dry Tonic - it was delicious. My friend got a great Virgin Mojito.

I was tempted by the Squid Ink Linguine, which is served with Pipis, Calamari, and Baby Octopus and has just the right amount of Chilli in it.

My friend got a Minute Steak, cooked to perfection, and accompanied by Chips and a Salad.

I wish we had more time, so we could’ve tasted some more of the food, but we’ll definitely be...