Barrel n Vine — Restaurant in Queensland

My husband and I and my sister arrived at Barrel N Vine with great anticipation. We had heard lots of fabulous things and read great reviews. On arrival we realised we would not be disappointed. The ambience is just beautiful. It’s got a very Italian feel about it, including right down to the outstanding food and unbelievable menu choices.

We were greeted by enthusiastic staff who attended to our every whim. The delicious food arrived in a timely manner and was piping hot which is very rare these days. The ‘piece de resistance’ would have been to have white table cloths however.

Unfortunately, after we finished our meals which were outstanding, things went downhill. There was zero service and my sister had to get up and ask for a waiter twice. On one occasion a young girl came over and just stared at us and said yes ? when we asked could we get a desert wine, she replied “oh I will have to get someone for you” which we found quite odd because we knew the name of it. Unfortunately it took a long time before anyone came back. This continued for the rest of the evening and when we stood up to leave we let ourselves out as not one person was in the reception area ..no staff to be seen..no one to thank us for coming, or ask if we enjoyed our evening,,. Nothing. It was especially annoying as my husband had left a very large tip and the bill was not cheap. The two staff we found as an exception however were “Corey” and a lovely English lady called “Lovey”!

We will return and hope this review is read by the owner of the restaurant and acted upon because I would hate to see another lovely restaurant go under in Hervey Bay. The things I have mentioned are minor and we would still highly recommend BARREL N...

Barrel n Vine is a charming little Italian Restaurant on the esplanade in Hervey Bay. The staff where very polite, & Corey was very courteous when leaving this quaint little restaurant, in thanking Mum and I for dining with their Restaurant. The hostess was attentive, and asked how our meals were, which where absolutely Bellisimo! Jo 👌

Jo is the owner, and introduced himself to Mum & I such a lovely man. We told Jo how much we enjoyed his Nonna's meatballs, a calabrian special recipe passed on to him from his Nonna.The best meatballs I have ever had, and I have had many in the 32yrs I've lived in Melbourne with many Italian restaurants here, and our famous Lygon street known as little 🇮🇹

Thank you for your suggestion of the Italian wine when we asked for your recommendation Jo

We thoroughly enjoyed your meals, and Mum will be coming back to get your Nonna's delicious meat balls take away. I can't wait to dine here again with the lovely ambience from the exterior flowing into the interior. We chose to dine Alfresco, and the temperature in the evening in this month of February is quite pleasant. Mum & I look forward to dining at your outstanding restaurant when I visit her again later in the year, and spoil her again to your traditional Authentic Italian food. Bravo Jo 👏

Best Wishes for your Business, and for a Brilliant! Bright! New Year to you &...

​Title: A Salty Nightmare: Signature Dish and Service Failed ​My visit to this restaurant was a complete disaster from start to finish. ​The service began with a jarring lack of professionalism—a beer was virtually dropped onto my table without so much as a greeting. ​Then came the food. The warmed olives were served so hot they were a hazard and burnt my mouth then to top it had been inexplicably drowned in salt, making them impossible to enjoy. This theme continued with the main event: the crab and prawn ravioli. Touted as a signature dish, it arrived tasting less like fresh seafood and more like a heavy, oily, and intensely salty fish paste wrapped in pasta. Even a small, unlisted half bug on the plate was shockingly oversalted. The dish was inedible; I literally couldn't eat more than a bite and ended up just pushing the pieces under my napkin. ​To top it off, when the plate was cleared, the young server (who seemed completely inexperienced and all of 12 or 13 years old) asked about the meal but paid no attention to my genuine complaints. This was an expensive, thoroughly disappointing, and frankly embarrassing display of poor restaurant management....