Thai Alley Eastland — Restaurant in Melbourne

Went for Motherday dinner. Booked a table and when booking the manager assured us that the mandated for mothers day set menu was gluten free. On arrival were informed the set menu wasn't mandated because they had been busier than expected at lunch. Once we were all there we agreed we'd do the set menu anyway, when we ordered it I confirmed it was gluten free. Waitress #1 didn't know and would check for us. A beer was ordered She came back and let us know the eggnet wasn't so here is a menu would the GF person please pick a replacement, when we asked what on the menu is GF the waitress didn't know and the menu didn't indicate, but she would check. When she came back again she had some awkward instructions of what was and wasn't GF but had to inform us that a second dish on the set menu wasn't GF so we'd need to order another for that as well. When she came back again we could finally finish our order. My GF Mother ordered King Prawns accompanied by the Green Mango Salad. Waitress came out again to check what salad was wanted as they don't have a Mango salad, it was meant to be the Papaya salad. 15 minutes later the Manager comes out to let us know the kitchen cant handle replacing dishes on the set menu (despite the menu saying they can) and that our GF mother would be receiving just the two dishes she ordered, and that she'd put a rush on them. An extra complementary bubbles was served. Our first 3 dishes arrived and we enquired as to where the beer was, we were assured it was coming. The waitress returned to ask what beer was ordered as they had no record of it. Our second set of dishes arrived then some of the plates from the first 3 were removed. Our final main was served and then a couple more dishes were removed, briefly after this our Mother's dishes arrived. It was 7:50 and we'd arrived at 6:10. At the register we were charged for 4x the set menu, they didn't charge us for the $8 beer but charged us the $47 for the set menu for someone who only received a $16 and a $28 dish (overcharging by $3 for the food, which is balanced against the free beer). I didn't realise that till writing this review. While it was Mothers Day, they weren't crazy busy. There were empty tables. Through the night we heard a table near us rejecting multiple dishes they didn't order and asking multiple times for dishes they had ordered. 4.5 Stars for food quality, -5 Stars for...

Yesterday, my mum and I decided to have dinner here with my 12-week-old baby. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a waitress who asked if we preferred to sit inside or outside and how many people were in our party. I explained that we were two adults and a pram, and I requested a table inside.

The waitress then informed us that indoor seating was reserved and that there would be a time limit if we chose to sit inside. I expressed that I didn’t mind the time limit, as we only planned to eat quickly and leave. However, she insisted that we sit outside instead. I explained that sitting inside would be more comfortable for the baby, but to avoid further back-and-forth, my mum agreed to sit outside, though I was disappointed by this.

When we asked to sit under an umbrella for shade at an available larger table, the waitress declined and directed us to a two-person table without shade. My mum agreed again, so we reluctantly sat there. In hindsight, I should have left at that point, as I felt uncomfortable and unwelcome.

The food we ordered was ok—on the sweeter side and a bit overpriced—but the overall treatment was unpleasant. The heat outside woke my baby, making her uncomfortable, so I went inside to request that our food be packed to take away. While waiting, I noticed that several tables inside were empty and had no reservation signs, which added to my frustration.

I don’t normally like to leave an unhappy review, but I felt I needed to get this experience off my chest. Overall, I felt the service lacked warmth and consideration, particularly for parents dining with a baby. While the food was passable, the dismissive attitude and lack of accommodation mean I won’t...

You know I would honestly have loved to have eaten at your restaurant so I could have perhaps given it its 4-or 5-star review for food, ambience or/and service. Alas I never got to even sit down at this restaurant. I called a few nights ago to make a booking for a Monday night for a larger group of 12 and was told I had to pay a $50 deposit. I have never had this happen before at any other dining establishment but thought well, the reviews are good so okay I'll oblige. Then the thing was it was not so straightforward, apparently I had to leave my email address or something so Admin could get back to me on how to pay this $50😒. I said "Look ok, I will drive there to sort it out the next day." Next day when I got there I was advised I had to ensure everyone from the group of 12 commit to $40 minimum spend and order from the set Banquet Menu. Now, this is where I went, " Are you guys for real?? "( inside my head of course). The lady was really nice and polite, but I was like No way. That is just going too far. I left the restaurant and after a brief discussion on our chat the group unanimously decided to go somewhere else. Tonight the restaurant called (I missed their call🤷🏻‍♀️) and they then texted to say my booking could not go ahead because I had not paid the $50 deposit.😖

Well Thai Alley. A 1-star review for worst experience trying to book to eat at your restaurant.

Personally I am never stepping foot at your establishment ever, and the group of us are collectively recoiling in shock at your Booking policy. The group of us 12 are booked to eat somewhere else instead, and I guess it is literally your loss.

Never recommending you to...