Ned’s Bake & Bistro Middle Park — Restaurant in Melbourne

I want to love this place as a local but am constantly disappointed and as such I’ll make this my last visit. On the positive, the table setup outside is really lovely particularly on a summer day!!! The product is generally good (albeit the piadana I just got is bland and doughy!). But every time I go here the staff seem mildly indifferent to both your presence as a customer or their collective in a hospo environment. Not ride per se, just I don’t feel the hospo standards are there.

Today the music was too loud (and no, I’m not that old and cranky) which didn’t fit the space or the clientele, I ordered take away but had to awkwardly stand in the thoroughfare waiting as staff had taken up the entire area at the window. Of course, they’re entitled to a break, but maybe sit at one of the tables in the main room - it’s a terrible look and function. Staff chat in the middle of this thourougfare rather than finding a space to have their chat, or they’ll just keep coming through if they see you coming in (I don’t believe client is king etc but all hospo will normally defer to the client if two people can’t make it through the one piece of space - unless they’re carrying things then I’ll always defer to them). And then prices are never displayed, so when you’re a normal person considering on price you don’t have that (or maybe I’m not the target market for that reason - who knows).

I really wanted to love this place and do love the outside seating, but the running of it is not good, and hasn’t...

This European-style bakery and cafe transforms into a gorgeous restaurant at night and has recently started their dinner service. They are from the team behind @ineswinebar, @tartine, and @meatballandwinebar and the food is phenomenal!

We tried: 🦞 Lobster Croissant 🧆 Truffled Mushroom Arancini 🍝 Pappardelle Ragu 🥩 Steak Frites 🍷 Shiraz Gin & Tonic 🍹 Aperol Spritz

Okay I seriously loved everything we ate here, I cannot recommend it enough! We started with some complimentary bread with truffle butter and the butter was so incredibly fragrant and very truffle-y. Their lobster mini croissant was super flakey and crispy, with a generous serving of lobster, which was really fresh and juicy - better than any lobster roll i’ve had elsewhere. The arancini had a nice crunchy breadcrumbed outer layer, with a truffle-y filling as well. Loooved the pappardelle ragu, which had super rich and tender lamb ragu and perfectly al dente pasta. The pecorino provided a mild cheesy flavour to the sauce, which was delicious. I was surprised at how good their steak was - it was buttery tender and pretty much melted as you chewed into it and the fries were really crunchy. The Montpellier butter sauce complemented the steak perfectly, for a $39 main, I was impressed at the quality of the meat. The interior of this place was also such a vibe, with rustic walls and nice...

This place is not even open yet but they brought out the stall, stocked up all breads and pastries, people walking around, no hygiene standards to follow at all. Prices are not displayed so don't get surprised when you pay $6.50 for a donut or $10 for a small loaf of bread.

Of course, if you're buying a bread they'll ask if you'd like a coffee with it. Up selling has reached a new low. When you are setting a stall before you officially open your shop, try to satisfy the element hygiene standards in the pandemic times when anyone standing to buy the products can sneeze, caught...

I won't be returning back because this bakery is way overpriced. They should check the prices of a similar business in Albert Park. Just because it's Middle Park you can't expect customers to pay any price.

Making several hundred percent profit on breads and pastries is nothing but greed. Display prices please so the customers can see how much they are paying rather than getting a price surprise at the register. When I asked the girl who was serving me about the prices of some pastries she had to ask someone else. If I didn't ask she would just enter any price I guess. And no thanks I don't want a coffee with a...