Pt. Leo Estate — Restaurant in Melbourne

This was the absolute WORST dining experience I’ve ever endured. Please, do not cause yourself the frustration and discomfort of dining here. $1000 thrown away, quite literally. My colleagues and I had been looking forward to our reservation here for a month, however, instead of enjoying any sort of satisfactory meal or service we spent the entire 4 hours of our meal in utter disbelief of the atrociously terrible food and unbelievably disappointing service with beyond inexperienced/unknowledgeable staff. Upon booking our reservation we were told they could accommodate for our food restrictions. One guest being vegetation and myself unable to consume beef, pork, lamb, cheese or anything deep fried. . Because we were a table of 10 people or more, we were only able to dine the set menu. Considering they were able to accommodate this, we moved forward with our booking. We were asked again at the time of our arrival to confirm these food restrictions but when the food arrived it was obvious they’d either not only ignored these restrictions but they couldn’t accommodate them appropriately. First up, a bowl of pumpkin soup. None of us understood how a restaurant could create a soup so tasteless. Many of us didn't eat it and weren’t asked by the staff how it was upon them clearing some hardly-touched bowls. Second, a baked cheese gnocchi. This dish actually had the most flavour, or so I'd been told, as I can't consume cheese. Not to worry, though, as they'd cleared those plates before they were finished. Third up, ahhh yes, a plate of only sandwich meat for just myself. Literal sandwich meats. All of which were the meats I'd said I couldn't eat. Even if I could have, was I just to eat this meat on its own? It's the first plate of charcuterie I'd ever seen without a single accompaniment. Not even a cracker. With confusion, I'd asked the waitress what it was. Her response, " Uhmmm... that's... that's... uhhh, that's just something they made for you.” I was so shocked at this response I actually laughed. She then walked off satisfied with her answer. I could not eat this, but again, all is well as they'd taken the full plate away without asking if I'd finished or enjoyed it. Funnily, knowing id be paying for this and not eating it, I'd told the waitress to leave it (my plan was to take it home for my dog), but another server cleared it away without asking. For the final course, a piece of battered deep fried fish next to a bed of pure white coleslaw. Im now $100 into a meal I couldn't eat. My colleagues ordered the steak. Again, tasteless. Many didn't eat it. At this point we complained as politely as we could. We were then offered a complimentary glass of wine each to account for our disappointment and very poor food. Ahhh but get this, they then added this wine to the end bill and we had to return to complain and have it removed. This booking was over$1000. I am still in disbelief. Please don't put yourself...

A group of us came to Pt. Leo Estate in Flinders on a Saturday afternoon for a birthday lunch.

The winery is situated on Victoria's pristine Mornington Peninsula and the estate is home to 50 acres of vines, sculpture park and restaurant. It is a really idealic and beautiful location, in which the restaurant and winery overlook the vineyards and bay.

On arrival, I joined the birthday girl and others at the bar, whilst waiting for our restaurant table to be ready. A bartender told me that I wouldn't be allowed to sit at the bar, as we had reached our maximum capacity of group of 7. After looking around and seeing about 30 available seats from nearby tables, and counting 7 of us at the bar, she said that it was okay for me to stay there. This was a bit of a negative experience as her attitude towards me felt very hostile, and not a pleasant way to be greeted.

After being seated for lunch at around 1:30pm, we were guided through the menu by a waiter, and we all ordered our drinks and selected our mains. Despite our booking being from 1:30pm for lunch, we did not receive our entrees until 2:48pm, so it was a very long wait. Our main meals did not arrive until 3:36pm, and dessert arrived at 4:14pm. Fortunately, we were all enjoying ourselves and the dining experience, but that is far too long to be waiting for our food, especially since we had pre-booked this birthday event months in advance.

Additionally, there were 4 people on our table with dietary requirements. The waiter (accidentally) made an error and gave one of the celiac girls an entree with gluten in it, which could have been quite detrimental to her had she eaten it. After alerting the staff of this, they were quite apologetic and the manager came up to her personally to apologise and inform her that she had reminded the waiters and kitchen staff of our table's dietary intolerances and allergies. They were kind enough to waive the fee for some of our hot beverages as a compensation for making the dietary error.

After our dining experience, we went for a short walk to look at the sculpture park. It was a very windy and chilly day, so we didn't stick around for too long after that.

Overall, Pt. Leo Estate is a very beautiful estate with winery and vineyard. The food was tasty, but the wait times were extremely long. The customer service was reasonable, but at times needed improvement in terms of friendliness and ensuring dietary intolerances...

Celebrating my birthday at Pt Leo Winery was an experience that truly exceeded my expectations, despite my familiarity with the venue from previous visits. Nestled amidst the scenic vistas that this renowned winery offers, the occasion became extraordinarily special, thanks to the unparalleled hospitality provided by their staff, particularly by Thalia and Victor. Their attention to detail and genuine warmth made our visit unforgettable.

From the moment we arrived, Thalia and Victor, along with the rest of the team, made us feel incredibly welcome. They ensured our seating offered the best views and personalized our wine tasting experience, demonstrating a level of care and hospitality that was exceptional. It was evident that the staff takes great pride not only in the quality of their wines but also in the experiences they curate for their guests.

The wines were outstanding. The wine tasting, guided by knowledgeable staff, was a highlight, allowing us to explore and appreciate the varieties Pt Leo is celebrated for. The culinary offerings complemented the wine perfectly. We were particularly delighted by the charcuterie platter, the lobster roll, and the delectable focaccia, each dish showcasing the best of local produce and culinary expertise.

The sculpture garden, with its Kaws statue, never disappoints. Walking through the garden, wine in hand, surrounded by incredible artworks, added a unique and culturally enriching dimension to our visit. The building itself, with its stylish and contemporary architecture, enhances the experience, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

In summary, Pt Leo Winery provided an exceptional backdrop for my birthday celebration, made all the more memorable by Thalia, Victor, and the team's efforts to go above and beyond. Each visit, especially those marking special occasions, is a truly remarkable experience. I eagerly anticipate many more visits, confident that each will be as memorable...