The East Pantry — Restaurant in Melbourne

REVIEW 1 star

The East Pantry eatery in Keillor east

We arrived for a reservation at 6:30pm on a Friday night. We placed our drink orders and then 5 minutes later we ordered the meals. The water took 35 minutes to arrive (without glasses) at our table after ordering then a further 15 minutes to get glasses when I got up and asked 4 times at the bar.

Husband: Steak was under cooked. Ordered medium and got rare. It was also completely burned on the outside. Both brothers tasted it and said the same thing. Potatoes were raw. When asked to swap for chips "we don't do substitutes".

Brother 1: ordered a burger and asked what it came with. The waiter told him "it comes with chips and salad". His plate came with chips. Brother asked if it came with a salad too? Waiter said "no it doesn't" -then why tell the customer it comes with something when it clearly doesn't?

Brother 2: burger was literally red raw and was sent back immediately. The burger doesn't come with egg... when it arrived, he got egg. He's allergic to egg. Chips were clearly frozen and not cooked through.

Eggplant chips were soggy.

Me: I asked for no muscles in my linguini marinara -was told they couldn't take them out. That's fine- I'll take them out myself. When the plate was put in front of me, the waiter told me the chef had taken them out for me. He didn't. There were 4. I've been told by my doctor that because I'm pregnant I'm not allowed to eat them. Thanks very much for that East Pantry!

Overall, extremely unimpressed with not just the food but the pathetically poor service aswell. Will certainly never be back and will ward everyone we know...

Stopped here for a bite to eat yesterday . After being checked for Covid certificate ( a ✓ in my book as they're following gov. guidelines) Greated by a young male waiter. Ordered a gluten free breakfast only to be told after it was presented to kitchen I'm too late to order breakfast. The waiter profusely apologised. "No problem , what is gluten free on the lunch menu I can have. I'm a Coeliac." ( not overly fussy just didn't want the huge hamburger or salad bowl ) Waiter checked if the risotto is gf with the female kitchen staff. She said It was.........well .....it damn well wasn't. !!!!! It was either that or the orange slice ( noted in the cabinet as gf) that cleary wasn't. Coeliacs, well in my case about an hour after digestion know if gluten has been ingested. I wish I could have still been at the restaurant to show how apparently their 'gluten free' food failed miserably. An ugly sight. I'll leave it there.

Please, please if you wish to eat here and happen to be intolerant to gluten ensure you impress upon the kitchen staff they understand the ramifications if they provide food containing gluten when you order. I'll be calling them today when they open to discuss this an educate their kitchen 'chefs'.

PS. I received a call from the owner and we discussed at length what had occurred. He had investigated my visit through his cctv, the till, also questioned his staff. It had been taken very seriously and the matter has been resolved. I have confidence in ordering a gluten free meal and receiving a gluten free meal next time I dine there. I cannot complain about the after sales...

Probably the worst customer service I've experienced!

On Sunday 25th March I went to East Pantry, I was seating outside around 10 minutes and staff member (Young girl) never approached me. However, I have called her asked for a menu. The staff member either didn't understand my simple question or answered very vaguely said “I’m busy, you should leave if you cannot wait” , Then I asked for manager for the establishment. She just ran inside the restaurant.

HOWEVER Gentlemen appeared to be owner of the restaurant come out after 3 minutes came to me without asking the reason said, “You have threatening my employee and she is scared, you cannot stay here with your attitude”. And I said “I simply asked for menu” not here to make a scene as was waiting for two other guests. Even all happened I had brunch with my guests. AFTER Called the restaurant asked to speak to owner/manager tried to explain what has happened and he didn’t even want to listen to me. “I couldn’t get a word out”. He is going on and on about he is busy.

SUMMARY I live locally and used to visit this restaurant quite often, Looks like management has been changed. I would not recommend this restaurant anyone I know.

I have received following reply from the owner. And its completely lie. Even my neighbors mentioned they had bad experience in this...