PASTORE — Restaurant in Melbourne

Customer service at this restaurant could not have done a worse job, which was reflected primarily through the arrogance of the male manager last night. We ordered a 3 course meal. Entrees took a long time to come out - and the mains literally took over 50minutes. These were delivered with no mentions of 'thanks for waiting' or 'we are under the pump, thanks for your patience'. We then waited extremely patiently for our deserts. We asked the kind waitress at 8.20pm, 2hrs and 20minutes in from our booking time, that we are waiting on the deserts as we have to leave soon. She kindly acknowledged and went to check how the deserts were going. We waited...and waited...for 30 more minutes. With no mention from any of the staff/supervisor/manager as to what the possible hold up was...just manic looks from most the staff members to our table as we got up swiftly to pay the bill. I'll also mention that, two other tables (with 2 people each) in front of me that had arrived at the restaurant the same time as us were LONG gone. We heading to the front to pay and leave and this is when I witnessed the worst show of leadership and accountability from a restaurant manager in my life. You would assume that the manager would ask some basic prompt questions if customers have got up early to leave such as "I'm sorry you're dissapointed with the slow service, we were very busy tonight, did you at least enjoy the food?" or "We apologise for any inconvenience caused tonight, how did everything go? Is there anything that we could have done better?" or God forbid "how was your night?". NOHING WAS SAID. NOTHING. The manager made no eye contact with my mother and had an air about him which made us feel like we had somehow done the wrong thing. The payment was being processed and my Mother said to the Manager (quite calmly) "I'm actually very suprised that no one has apologised for anything tonight". He still refused to make any eye contact with my Mother and then he smirked and literally laughed it off as if he couldn't believe she had said something like that. Taking note of his absolute disrespect to my Mother right infront of me, let alone the lack of professionalism to ask any questions about our dining experience as a whole, I let the Manager know that he was not being well recieved AT ALL and that his behavior was disgusting. His behavior at the counter was deplorable. What was even more bizarre is that there was a lady standing right beside him (I assume it had to be a supervisor of some sort?) Did and said nothing. Everyone member of staff at the counter was standing behind there manager in absolute silence. Why didn't anyone ask about our experience? Why did no one give a reason for the food being slow? Not one single reason! We just pay and leave without any closure to the experience? Disgusting. It is your responsibility in hospitality to provide your best possible level of customer service, this is why you are employed. Everyone working at Pastore last night should be ashamed of there efforts in the customer service industry considering this is a fine dining restaurant. There was no healthy communication between the Manager and us customers at the counter, infact, it was just total disrespect. The ONLY member of staff who showed a duty of care for us was the waitress who served us! She showed some humanity, apologising 3 times to me personally, to which I tried to tell her it truly isn't her fault it's your boss's lack of communication and arrogance that has lead to my frustration. She, was the only one who seemed to care about our experience. Where on earth was the sense of accountability from that manager for our experience in your restaurant last night? You run the floor. Own it. Communication is everything and last night there was none, let alone communication within your own team. To have arrived at 6pm and to still be waiting for deserts at 8:50pm is the definition of a poor standard.

The food was top qaulity, 5 stars to the Chefs. The Negronis were delicious, credit to...

Pastore Restaurant Review - A Luxurious Italian Experience in Chadstone Located on the ground floor of Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery, Pastore offers a dining experience that marries the elegance of Italian cuisine with the charm of an upscale setting. Known for its signature dishes cooked on a woodfire grill, this restaurant is an excellent choice for a family dinner or even a romantic night out.

When you walk into Pastore, you first notice the atmosphere. The ambience is elegant and luxurious, providing an inviting environment for diners. With plush seating, warm lighting, and sophisticated décor, Pastore sets the stage for a memorable meal.

However, the service can be a bit of a mixed bag. Many of the staff are young and appear to be in training, sometimes leading to hit-and-miss interactions. While they are usually friendly and well-meaning, a little more polish and experience could go a long way in lifting the overall dining experience.

The quality of the food compensates for any minor shortcomings in service. Known for its woodfire grill, Pastore serves quality meat cuts that are both flavourful and well-presented. The presentation of the dishes shows meticulous attention to detail, adding an extra layer of allure to an already delicious meal.

In terms of cleanliness, the establishment maintains high standards, ensuring a hygienic dining experience. For those conscious about value, the restaurant offers good value for money, especially if you are an Accors member, which can net you a discount of up to 50%.

However, the menu variety may not be extensive, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. The menu changes with the seasons, offering diners the freshest ingredients in classic and inventive Italian dishes.

The drink options are impressive, boasting an extensive wine list and a full bar. Whether you prefer a full-bodied red to go with your steak or a crafted cocktail to start your evening, Pastore has you covered.

Situated in Chadstone Shopping Centre, the restaurant is also conveniently located for a quality meal after a day of retail therapy. With its romantic setting, it's also perfect for dates, making it a versatile dining option suitable for both families and friends.

In conclusion, Pastore offers an upscale Italian dining experience that excels in ambience, food quality, and drink options. While there may be minor areas for improvement, particularly in the service department, the restaurant remains a top pick for anyone looking to enjoy a luxurious meal in Chadstone.

Recommendation: Suitable for both family gatherings and...

Service was terrible! Never again! We had a table of 7 and we all had experienced poor quality service.

1. The Lamb was undercooked.
2. We asked whether or not the servings of the Pislner beer on tap came in either a pint or schooner to a female waiter. She said she did not know if they even had served schooners or pints. Thus she said said she'd find out, but then only came with a sconer without telling my friend first.
3. We also ordered 2 Birra Moretti and they came out with only 2 Birra Messina instead.
4. One of the male waiters (he wore glasses) ignored to take my friend's order and we had to pull him out and tell that the waiter he forgot. He then replied defensively saying "oh no no I didn't forget you"
5. We also ordered dessert afterwards and had to follow up twice on why it took so long to come out! First time I followed up with the waiter (same waiter with the glasses) and he said he'd follow up. 10 minutes later there was no update. Then we tried to speak to another employee or possible manager (wearing a black suit and pony tail) who was frequently having social discussions with the couple patrons sitting next to our table (crouched down). She'd have been talking to these patrons back and forth around 2-5 minutes per discussion. I called out to three times whilst she left that table on one occasion and I felt like she ignored me because she did not react to my request saying "excuse me" 3 times. Then 10 minutes later the original waiter I asked finally came around with the dessert and simply said "sorry the chef forgot" - he did not offer a discount or offer sincere apology! It took about 40 minutes for our dessert to arrive over.
6. The staff added a credit card surcharge on the bill before confirming with us on how we were going to pay. As a duty of care the waiter is responsible for determining the method of payment before adding the surcharge on the bill.
7. The manager/lady in the black suit returned talking socially wuth the same couple of patrons when our group of 7 left.
8. Whilst we were all counting the bill, the waiter with the glasses kept returned twice impatiently expecting us to pay immediately when we already told him to give us another 5 minutes.

Overall we are never going again - because a professional hotel should have better trained staff, chef and superiors ensuring waiters and chefs do their job properly. It's totally unprofessional for hotel standards. We suggest people reconsider a better venue...