The Bavarian Tuggerah — Restaurant in New South Wales

My partner had booked a table for us for 5.30 last Friday at the Bavarian. The maître d' was lovely and seated us at our table promptly. Unfortunately we were seated right next to the door even though there were plenty of tables that were empty but they may have had future reservations I'm not sure. I didn't like the atmosphere it felt more like a pub with the music being a little loud and bright lights but that is my personal opinion. We had looked at our menus and pretty quickly decided what we wanted to order so put our menus to the side. We waited for about 10 minutes whilst one of the waiters went past a few times before the maítre d' pointed to our table and he then came over. At first he asked us what we would like to order then interrupted us to tell us that he didn't have his docket or pen. He walked towards the kitchen then a minute later walked past us to the front area then a minute later walked back to take our order. We ordered the texan schnitzel and the Hawaiian schnitzel and asked for some table water and to order our drinks once our meal had been cooked. He came back 5 minutes later to what had seemed just a jug he filled up from the tap as it was room temperature. The same waiter brought our food out and i asked him if we could get 2 new sets of cutlery as the jar on the table at 2 forks, 1 knife and 1 napkin in it and we werent sure if they were clean or not and instead of him just going back and getting some cutlery he said words like "isnt there some over there" pointing at the jar on the table and then i had to explain why we wanted new ones. We had to wave down another waiter to make a drinks order for 2 lemonades. We didn't get our drinks till 3/4 of the way finishing our meals I could understand if they were busy but they were not. The toppings were minimal and what makes me annoyed about that is that they are $32.00 each. I had 7 really small pieces of pineapple as well as the same amount or less squares of ham the size of a 10c piece coin. My partners texan schnitzel was missing bacon and had minimal toppings as well. He had previously came to this restaurant and the toppings were definitely a lot more the first time round. Both of our chips were not fresh they tasted old the only thing that was nice about them was the seasoning they had on them. And there was probably less than a handful on the plate. The coleslaw was the best thing it was delicious and creamy. The schnitzel was beautifully cooked and flavoursome although mine just tasted like schnitzel with cheese. All in all the service was not up to standards and extremely overpriced for the quality of the food. I don't mind paying more if it is worth it and this was definitely not worth it. We wished we had a pub schnitzel which would have came with more toppings and...

Highlights: Speedy food to table service. Delicious food with ample serving size.

Low lights: Ordered three lemonades- all three lemonades tasted like soda water. Had to be returned. How often is the syrup checked? Customers shouldn't have to do your quality control. Booked for 3 plus a high chair. This would suggest an infant. The table we were allocated only had room for a high chair at the opening to the outside area so our infant had people bustling past and a draught blowing in on her coming in. Table layout is woefully thought out. I had difficulty accessing my bench because the table and bench to the side were jammed up to it. I felt like I was in a feedlot cattle section. At 6:30 saw a table outside and asked if we could move. Yep no problems we were told. After packing up gear, kids, etc we got to the table and told there was a 7:00 booking there and we would need to leave it by then. What? Could you not have told us that before we packed up the troupe? Back inside we went. I had to ask for some colouring pencils for my young son to keep busy colouring the kids menu. A short time later these crayons were retrieved by staff for use by another group of customers. Really? You charge $32 for a schnitzel and you have only a limited set of crayons. More thought needed. If it is a "destination for ....families ...." you need to get the little things done right. Could I suggest some German/Austrian music to be played in the background for ambience in a "Bavarian" restaurant? Top 40 sort of music sort of spoils the mood.

*Sent the above as an email to restaurant the following...

Was looking forward to a new dining experience at Tuggerah. Managed to get a table outside as the whether was fine on arrival. The wait staff where polite and we proceeded to take our order. We ordered a bottle of water as we informed the waiter that we did not want tap water. We the ordered our meal. This was around 12:30pm. The water arrived and it was a Jug of tap water despite our request for Bottled. The whether then changed and started to rain, so we informed the wait staff that we were getting wet and that we had moved inside to an available table. We also brought our table number with us so there would be no confusion regarding our order, which we also advised the wait staff. The people sitting behind us seen what the had done and proceeded to do the same and move inside. I note that they actually ordered after us. After about 20 minutes, the people that were behind us received their order, which I felt looked very much like our order. The proceeded to eat their lunch and upon completion, informed the wait staff that they had not received their complete order. Meanwhile, we had not received our order, now 50 minutes wait time. I advised my partner that if our order did not arrive by 1:30pm, I would be leaving which is what I did. Our first experience was terrible and we will not be returning. I will never return to any of "The Bavarian" restaurants. The staff had no idea what was happening even when they were told. Do yourself a favour and steer...