Vaby's Restaurant — Restaurant in Picton

Vaby's Restaurant was once my favourite place in Picton, for quality meals, ambience , comfortable seating and overall good service.

Sadly, after a period of seven years from my last visit, I cannot say that it's still the same great restaurant, it once was.

The first, major thing that struck me when we were shown to our table was the lack of ambience.

Bare sandstone walls and white floor-lamps strewn here and there, which screamed for something like metal to offset the blank canvas that's been created under new ownership/management was overwhelming.

Probably made worse because we were the only four diners in the restaurant at that particular moment.

I was overjoyed at first, that the table we were taken to, was "our table" as I'd affectionately called it on our drive there - where we'd spent so many hours at times, with various friends over the years. ... And couldn't believe that out of all the empty tables, we'd actually been given "ours" even though I hadn't requested any particular one.

But the joy quickly faded when I saw the chairs 😳 which had been replaced with basic cafe-style rather than restaurant -quality seating ...which were instantly uncomfortable.

To my mind, comfortable seating in restaurants goes a long way to encouraging customers to spend more time, relaxing and enjoying the food - and of course, the longer you're there, enjoying your time, the more money you'll spend on extra food (desserts), drinks, that second and final coffee before leaving?

But, sitting on tiny, thin, slippery, beech chairs in the middle of winter - in a restaurant that has always been known to be cold unless/until packed with people (as it once was) is not conducive to wanting to stay any longer than you have to....and I certainly didn't.

The food itself was reasonable, hot and very quick to appear - but did lack presentation.... especially the Beef and Pork Fajitas ordered by my grandson (from the picture shown on their website).

Instead, it came out in a number of tiny bowls and a larger one with the beef and pork and although he enjoyed it, I was disappointed for him.

Our waiter, while polite, didn't appear overly enthusiastic (again different to those in previous years) and although we were seated at a table with plenty of space for him to move around, he chose to serve the meals across the table, reaching over me, rather than walk around to serve.

By this time, there were only four tables being served in the entire restaurant, so again it wasn't crowded.

It's not a good look, either way, when waiters serve customers like this, reaching across a table, in my opinion - and not particularly hygienic either.

The women's bathroom has not been updated since my last visit and really should be a priority for the new owners.

The two (opening toward you) doors to enter are so close together that someone could easily get injured if they were in a hurry and definitely the worst design ever.

Worst of all though, the bathroom was very grubby from the floors to overflowing bins to sinks - looking as though nothing had been cleaned all day.

While I'd been excited at the opportunity to finally be able to take my Grandson for dinner at Vaby's, now that he's at a good age for me to do so ... Would I go back again?

No. I can honestly say I wouldn't. Unless there are major improvements to seating, ambience, bathrooms and wait-staff etiquette.

I can honestly say that we have dined at Clubs and Hotels which provide a better all-round experience, than what we had at Vaby's - but that's just my...

Vabys is Located at the picton railway station and has free street parking. I have driven by vabys so many times and automatically presumed that it's a trendy place because of the sandstone exterior, not the kind of place you just wonder into for a casual meal. A birthday invitation bought me here. Vabys is an upmarket restaurant, not so much in the dress code, but in the menu and prices. The food was great, I had the Angus beef burger which I would rate a 6 out of 10 and My husband had the eye fillet which was amazing. Extremely tender and well cooked. The food portions are, in my opinion, small, so if your starving, order an entre as well to make sure you fill up. The food portions I am describing in no way reflect the quality of the food, its very good, but for my budget, strictly for special occasions as it's a little pricey. The entry to the restaurant is pretty confusing to find, just walk down the driveway to find the entry door to the restaurant. Once inside the downstairs level has an unbeatable atmosphere. The sandstone walls, fireplace and raw timber beams is just so perfect. Upstairs is the function rooms which obviously need to be pre booked. The upstairs function rooms severely lack the downstairs atmosphere. The sandstone walls do not continue upstairs, nor the raw wooden beams, but if your eating downstairs you will love it. There is a bar here, but only a very small selection of tap beer and no coke just Pepsi. They serve coffee and have table service. Wheelchair accessible parking and entry Toilets and free street parking I do recommend vabys but i wouldn't put it at the top of my list. Pricey and...

Over the past 10 years Vabys was mine and my husband favourite restaurant, the food was incredible. Last night we attended Vabys to celebrate a special milestone. Upon ordering our food we over heard the people next to us complain that the food was not fresh and out of a tin can, we thought this was strange and waited for our food. With our entree the bread was stale, the Arancini balls were uncooked and the garlic cheese pizza was uncooked and doughy! At this point we weren’t excited for our mains! The mains came out, my husband ordered spaghetti fettuccine! It was served with can tin tomatoes and pasta, we didn’t bother eating the food at this point went upto the register and spoke with the waitress that has been serving us on a regular basics and asked what happened to the company, she replied it is now under new management. We still paid for our food even though the food was disgusting and unacceptable however they have lost a long term customer. The new owners have ruined this once loved restaurant and I am sure they will not stay in business much longer! The food is not fresh and served out of the can, it is disgusting that someone can serve food like that in a restaurant and have the nerve to charge what they do for it. Very disappointing as this was our favourite restaurant! If you are looking to go there trust me and do yourself a favour...