The Kingston — Restaurant in Melbourne

After anticipating the reopening of the Kingston for quite a while, our Marble & Pearl experience was quite disappointing on a few levels.

On a positive note, the 10 dishes we ordered were all very good. Our waitress was (despite going missing for a while later in the evening) quite fantastic. The cocktails and wines were all great as well.

First of the opportunities for improvement was the acoustics. The noise level was deafening! The dining room was full of people shouting at each other to be heard. We couldn't carry on a pleasant conversation at our table. Our waitress told us she was hoarse most nights after having to shout to be heard by customers.

Next was the "fake" menus. The wine list had "currently unavailable" notes against a very large number of wines. I wondered why would they print them in the wine list if they don't have them in stock? We were told that these wines have never yet been available in the venue - so why would they be listed?? Sure, by adding a lot of wines that you don't sell can bolster your wine list to look more impressive however it is clearly misleading.

The same comment is relevant for the food menu that includes a caesar salad "prepared at the table". We ordered it and were told that it was not available and has never yet been served in the restaurant. Once again - why advertise something you don't sell. It seems to be a strategy to attract customers on a promise you can't deliver.

Our final negative experience came later in the evening when we wanted to order desserts and dessert wine. All of a sudden the room was bereft of staff. We waiting 10 minutes and then one of us went to the bar to try to order a drink - but no-one was there. After 15 minutes our waitress turned up but we decided to cut our losses and ask for the bill. That cost them approx. $150- $200 in lost sales.

It's good to have this type of venue in Richmond however Marble & Pearl has quite a lot of work to do to justify it's premium...

A Hidden Gem with Heart in Richmond Tucked away in a quiet residential pocket of Richmond, this venue is one of those unexpected finds that blends comfort, quality, and character. Chosen by a business associate for a casual dinner meeting, the restaurant impressed from the outset with its warm, well-considered interior — a stylish yet relaxed bar and dining space that immediately sets the right tone.

What truly stood out, however, was the service. Our waitress was exceptional — attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely engaged with us throughout the evening. In an industry where genuine hospitality often feels like a fading art, her enthusiasm and ability to guide us through the menu (with a subtle but skilled upsell) was refreshing and appreciated. Kudos to her.

For the meal, my dining companion ordered a steak while I opted for the house-made beef pie — a nostalgic choice I hadn't had in some time. It turned out to be a generous portion with a perfectly flaky pastry and a hearty filling of tender, slow-cooked beef. Rich, satisfying, and comforting, it hit all the right notes. The pie came with a crisp salad that balanced the richness nicely.

As for the steak, while well-presented, my friend described it as “average” — likely overcooked, as it lacked the juiciness you’d expect from a good cut. Not a dealbreaker, but something that could use refinement.

An unexpected bonus came when we learned that certain dishes were discounted mid-week as part of a “locals’ night” offer — in our case, a price drop from $35 to $25. That kind of value in Richmond is rare and definitely worth noting.

All in all, this venue offers a welcoming environment, quality food, and standout service — a winning combination that’s becoming harder to find. Despite the steak misfire, I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu and enjoy the genuine...

Overall a disappointing experience. Although the renovation looks beautiful, the service was severely lacking and the food quality was variable. When we arrived at our table we were told by one staff member that it was table service. We waited to be served but after 20 minutes seated at our table we decided to get out own menus. There were several staff standing around not looking busy but it was difficult to catch their attention to even request water. We were later told we had to order at the bar. Staff didn't know their menu. After waiting 45 minutes, we were told that one meal we ordered was no longer available. We chose a replacement. Then 15 minutes later we were told that meal was unavailable and had to choose another replacement. We were told everything else on the menu was available, however it turned out multiple other meals were no longer available. This process was time consuming and tedius as staff weren't able to provide accurate information. It took more than one hour for some of the food to start arriving. We ordered a couple of starters and a main each. However, 2 people received all their meals at once, the other 2 people had to wait a while for their shared entree and main. Some of us werent given cultery so we had to prompt staff. My friends enjoyed their steak and beef cheek. The seafood chowder however was underwhelming and difficult to eat. The seafood was overcooked and the bread was stale. We waited a long time for some drinks and was accidentally overcharged on the bill, lucky we were paying attention. Had high hopes for this place but left sorely disappointed. The experience would improve if staff become more attentive to customers and better aquainted with their menu to deliver consistent and high quality service and meals. Not...