Redwood Gardens Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

UPDATE - 2 hours after this post I received a phone call from the owner, Derek. Turns out the man who told us it is a family business and they want to go home was a senior waiter, not the owner. Derek has spoken with both waiters and he has taken responsibility for the events that occured, thanking me for the wake up call to maintain the high standards that he says they usually provide.

The whole experience was disappointing. When we made the 8pm booking for a Saturday night we confirmed that they would be open till 10:30pm. We were meeting with friends we hadn't seen for a very long time and wanted to enjoy a relaxed dinner catching up. On arrival, at exactly 8pm, the waiter commented that 8pm is very late to arrive for dinner. We placed our order and the food came very quickly. It wasn't cold, but warm would be a stretch. The main meals came immediately after, with virtually no time to swallow the entree. My prawns were fresh, but little to no flavour. Main course plates were cleared before the last person finished eating so the last person, still with lots of food on her plate, asked for it to be put in a take away container. They brought the dessert menu but none of us were interested in that. By now, it was around 8:45pm and we were not ready to leave. You could feel the glares from the waiter, clearly indicating that he wanted us to leave. Finally I called him over and told him that I had confirmed on booking that they would be open till 10:30pm and he said yes they are. As he turned to walk away, one of the men in our group saw him roll his eyes. We continued our catch up and they brought the bill. Soon after 9pm the other group in the restaurant left and the owner started hovering near our table. I called him over and asked if he is kicking us out, explaining that we had checked on making the booking that they'd be open till 10:30pm. He said it is a family business and they are in an isolated area so when there aren't alot of people they want to go home. We did understand this, however, firstly we had checked on the time, but just as importantly, as they isolated, isn't word of mouth the most important thing for their business? We left at 9:45pm, disappointed about the food and the atmosphere. As we walked out the waiter, who should have said, thank you or enjoy your evening, instead said see ya. I said...

A 'chinese' restaurant with not even one chinese customer. Food: not fresh. They use frozen food instead of fresh especially seafood. Small portions. Food taste no difference to food court food Price: over priced. Tiny san choy bow (with ham) $14 per serve(2pieces) where i can get it anywhere else for $5 each with proper meat like shredded duck. the proper chinese menu such as steam burrumundi, dumplings -not available. All u can get is stir fries here Service: slow slow slow, the waiting staff were polite but not thoughtful. We booked for 5 ppl, they gave us a table that hardly can fit 3 plates. There were only 2 napkins, 2 menus, and did not have anything children friendly. Environment: The lake is artificial (not even artistic). I wouldnt call it a view at all. The internal is croqded with old/dirty furnitures, they use white table clothes to cover but noone ever bothers to wipe the chair it was...

The first visit here for my wife and I last Saturday and what a hidden gem it turned out to be. From entering the warm and cosy atmosphere to our table overlooking the lakeside view the staff were ever courteous. Linen tablecloths and serviettes was unexpected but appreciated. Our choice of 2 delicious meals with accompanied rice was amazing. We managed to eat it all and it was so delicious and the peppered steak so tender. The crispy skin duck with spicy salt amazing. Accompanied by our 2 glasses of house red our night was done. No room for dessert. We will be back for sure, never would have found this place in industrial Dingley if we hadn't been told about...