Orlo — Restaurant in Melbourne

This is a tough review for me. I honestly was looking forward to experiencing this restaurant. I hate writing bad reviews too, so I'll try to be fair and objective. I hadn't been on a date night with the Mrs for a long time and I planned the dinner here at 7pm and booked tickets for a show around the corner starting at 9pm.

The service was a bit slow, but the place was full so this was understandable. They were so nice and fun so that wasn't that big of a deal at all. The issue however is, by 8.45pm, we had not received our mains yet. We had gotten the vino and starters only which was really good. But I had a schedule to keep.

We got the staff's attention and explained that it had nearly been 2hrs. They were really nice and apologetic about it. They offered to cancel the order as we had to leave or have the food to go. They also offered a complimentary dish too, but by the time we wrapped up the one main we got, and the rest to go, it was past 9.20pm. By the time we got to our planned activity, the venue wouldn't admit us because we got there late and wouldn't experience it as intended. So much for a long awaited date night.

So my experience was. Pretty big bill for starters and a wine, and a dish (With the rest was packed to go). Two forfeited tickets for our show, two uber trip costs plus babysitter costs for 4hrs.

I understand that kitchens can be backed up, but this was a tad bit much. I was really looking forward to experiencing this place. The reviews seem to back it up. The ambiance was nice, we were nice and cosy under a heater. The staff were so nice, and caring. Honestly, hats off to them. But overall for us, it turned out to be a not so great experience. Instead of connecting and conversing, we were checking our watches, trying to figure out how to salvage the night. The date night being a rarity, I tried to be cheerful about it and not make a fuss, but after everything went down, I really felt let down. Not only that, I felt I let down my wife, as we had both been looking forward to the date. Never mind the cost. The time spent planning, organising a sitter with busy schedules. It wasn't great. I'll try to make it up to her at some point of course, but it sucked to have our special time ruined by things out of my control.

Orlo, I'd love to visit you guys again. I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just sharing my honest experience. Maybe there's a lesson for us all in...

I had a wonderful experience at Orlo, and I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for exquisite dining in Collingwood. Here’s a summary of what we enjoyed:

Oysters (6): The oysters were incredibly fresh and juicy, offering a sublime taste of the ocean. Each bite was a burst of freshness, enhanced by the accompanying pickles, a standout!!

Prawns (3): The prawns were perfectly cooked, boasting a sweet and tender texture. The presentation was impeccable, making each bite even more enjoyable. I noticed a delicate dressing that complemented their flavors without overwhelming them.

Tuna Carpaccio: This dish was a feast for the senses. The tuna was sliced thinly with a delicate finish and dressed in sauces that enhanced its freshness. Each bite was a graceful encounter between the fish's softness and citrusy notes.

Scallops (2): The scallops were seared to perfection, featuring a crisp exterior and tender interior. The flavor was incredibly rich and, paired with a light accompaniment, it became one of the most memorable dishes of the night.

Mortadella with Peppers: This dish was an excellent choice. The mortadella was delicious, and its smooth texture paired perfectly with the peppers, which added a touch of sweetness and acidity. It was a starter that we thoroughly enjoyed.

Mezcal Negroni: To complement our exquisite meal, the Mezcal Negroni was a fantastic choice. This take on the classic cocktail offered a subtle smoky flavor that matched beautifully with the food, elevating our dining experience to another level.

Orlo is undoubtedly a standout spot in Collingwood, where each dish reflects attention to detail and a passion for great food. I can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu. Highly...

On the surface it looks good, and is quite ‘instagramable’…but the food here will not pass the test for well versed foodies. It was with much anticipation that we were trying this new venue. The cooking over fire aspect also seemed enticing. For most dishes, the sauces were overpowering and did not complement the protein they were matched with. Even the salsa verde was unrefined, too green. The octopus with fava beans was inedible. The octopus was slightly rubbery and parts had an overwhelming fishy taste. The fava beans were bitter and stodgy and did not match the flavours of the octopus at all. The kitchen was hectic and the head chef exuded chaotic energy, creating an unsettling vibe. Garnishes were hastily thrown into prep dishes, meat was unceremoniously thrown around. This chaos transferred to the dishes as they were not created with care or refinement. Wait staff were very attentive and it was obvious they were trying to filter the energy from the kitchen. We waited quite a while between dishes, and wait staff kept apologising. The wine list was ok, nothing spectacular. The bar styling and shelving is verging on tacky which is a shame as this is a beautiful building. We did not stay for dessert as we wanted to be out of there. This place has potential, but the food needs to be refined and the kitchen needs to change their vibe so it transfers to the food. Overall Orlo was quite...