Little Eden — Restaurant in Queensland

Mixed results at Little Eden. The waitress brought a water bottle to the table but didn’t pour any, and in fact didn’t check on the water all night even when it ran out. Details matter. We ordered some cocktails and they were perfect. For entree we ordered the zucchini bread with warm goats cheese and duck spring rolls, followed by pork belly and peri-peri prawns — all to share, as suggested on the menu. (BTW, initially we chose the chicken main, only to be informed that they had run out. As a courtesy to guests, you should inform them immediately of anything on the menu that is unavailable - not wait until after they have put thought into their choices). The zucchini bread was delicious and a real highlight. But we waited and waited on the duck spring rolls… and then the mains came out. We called the waitress over and reminded her about our other entree and she wandered off to find out what happened. Five minutes later she was back with the spring rolls. So now we had a table full of food, going cold. Ok, mistakes happen. Next problem, the pork belly and prawns came with sauces, but there were no serving spoons, so difficult to share. We couldn’t catch any wait-staff attention so my partner went up to the bar to ask for some spoons. Duck spring rolls were delicious. The prawns, delicious. The pork belly was quite tasty, fat rendered out properly, but perhaps just a touch over-cooked and dry in parts. Really nice plum sauce. Both mains only came with rice, as stated on the menu, and could have been improved with some vegetables. Just a thought. I had long since finished my cocktail but no one came to ask if I’d like another drink, or wine with the meal, or even just refill the empty water bottle. After we finished all the food (all, by the way, off the same small “share plates” we got with the entree, and same knife and fork throughout) we sat with all the dirty plates on the table for about 15-20 minutes, with no one coming to check if we wanted dessert or coffee. Eventually one of the waitress came over to clear the table and asked “can I get you anything else?”. By this stage we were just ready to leave. So, mixed results. Tasty food (on balance), great ambience, but let down by inattentive staff unfortunately. This is not just a cheap diner, and attention to detail matters. The restaurant was only half full so service should have been better. We would definitely come again, but hope you can fix a few front...

Pork belly very fatty. No meat, just fat. Inedible. Complained to junior waitress. Said she would tell senior wait staff. Waited for response - hopefully replacement meal. Nothing. Waitress took our plates and asked how our meal was. I explained I had complained about the pork belly and she said she had heard a conversation with senior wait staff about my complaint and apologised that I didn't enjoy my meal. Went to counter to pay for meal and senior wait staff asked if everything was good? I again explained about the poor pork belly and she said no one else had complained. No apology, no nothing. Paid and left. Won't go back.

Edit after response from restaurant:

I do beg to differ. My husband and I shared the two meals we ordered, and after he finished his portion (a separate piece) of pork belly we swapped plates. I cut my piece and immediately called over the waitress. I did not eat any of it. I have eaten pork belly many times and am aware it has fat content, but as you described it should be mostly rendered out in the cooking process. The piece I received was full fat, no meat. I'm not sure what your staff told you, but I could not have eaten this. Anyhow, I do not wish to have a digital argument, just wanted to let you know I was very disappointed with the meal and the response of your staff, and I'm sure had you, as the owner, been there, the situation may have had a...

A rude ending to a nice evening. I never write reviews, by this needs to be shared on behalf of locals.

We went out for dinner and really enjoyed our entree. My main was nice but my husband’s meal was inedible. His lamb was over seasoned with a spice where it just didn’t taste the freshest and best which we’ve had in the past here. The mash was watery and the meat was cold. Not very appetising… We explained to the waitress that we would like a different meal and to have the same as mine. The new meal came out well and tasted nice. We spent a lot of money on drinks and we have been here a few time to support local. Once we went to pay for the bill, the waitress had charged us for the inedible meal which was $49. We asked why and the waitress was very rude and said that “well other people like theirs and didn’t complain”, we reiterated that this was not fair as we have already spent hundreds there. The waitresses kept making rude comments and gestures and kept insisting we pay for something we couldn’t eat. The pricing is pitched at fine dining level but the quality is not there. Eventually the waitress said that she would void the meal but “this has put me in a hard situation”, she said. If the owner had come out or had a friendly chat the night wouldn’t have been better. Instead they aim for tourists to support them and brush of locals....