Sugarland Tavern — Restaurant in Queensland

I have been attending the Sugarland Tavern bistro off and on for the last 7 and a half year. It can be hit or miss and last night was a definite miss. There were two of us for dinner. We both ordered the oysters natural for an entree. I got a dozen and my dinner companion ordered the half dozen. I adore oysters and eat them at every opportunity. At $42 for the dozen, I was hoping for some edible heaven. The half dozen is $29. The person doing the oysters needs to take a heap more care in their presentation. They were, as is traditional, served on a bed of rock salt. My only issue was that the rock salt was all over my oysters and I got a major salt hit with several of my oysters that completely spoiled them for me as I hate salt in excess. Oysters are supposed to have that fresh, salty sea taste, not be doused in great lumps of rock salt that due to their colour, escape notice. My dinner companion enjoyed hers but with the way they were more spread on her plate, they may have avoided the salt getting in them.

Our mains were a Seafood Basket with salad and chips ($32) and a Reef Fish, grilled, with salad and chips ($30). The Seafood Basket was your typical mix of battered and crumbed prawns, calamari, Seafood Bites, fish fillets and Surimi bites. Nothing to write home about and arrived at the table barely warm. My companion thoroughly enjoyed her grilled fish and said the fish was perfectly cooked. The chips on both meals were fine. The issue for both of us was the dressing on the salad. It was a miso and sesame seed dressing. To be quite frank, I found it vile and was unable to eat my salad. My companion did not like it but did eat her salad.

It was our first night out in a while and I was so looking forward to a lovely meal, as the last time we attended, the food was great. For $133 for the two of us plus drinks from the bar, this was not a cheap night out but I certainly feel that as an ex chef in seafood, I could have done far better AND had the food piping hot to the table. It will be some time before we try them again based on this occasion. There is far better food elsewhere...

Soooo.... this is what businesses need to understand. It's not only about your product, it's about your staff. Amongst other things like cleanliness and how you feel being there.

Everyone of your staff communicates in their actions and demeanour. The Sugarland Tavern staff take pride in what they do and it shows. While I was being served at the bar, 2 others asked if I was being served. This was each time I went up to get a drink. One young staff member was making sure everything was well stocked and not standing around. Well done !

The kitchen staff were also attentive. Jenny greeted us with a smile and asked where we would like to sit, directed us to menus, and guided us with what we'd like to order. The staff worked as a team and helped each other. Hannah was one of those who complimented her team with offering to help when others were busy. She wiped over the salt and pepper and everything on the table after each sitting. During our time there, Jenny came and spoke to us and ensured everything was ok. She took the time to speak and connect with us. She alone is such an asset to this business.

The food was fantastic. $18 for a perfectly cooked steak, sauce, chips, and salad with a really nice dressing. The Kiwi Savignon Blanc topped it off nicely. The steak sandwich was beautiful and not skimped.

Well done, guys ! You nailed it. Every one of you ! Even had live music !...

Understaffed, incredibly slow food service, food wasn't that great.the poor staff all looked stressed and harassed. We ordered food at 1.10pm and were told it was a 45 minute wait. The food actually arrived at 1.38pm so close enough to double what we were told. My partner enjoyed the roast but he was the only of four of us to enjoy his meal. My mothers lamb shank was overcooked and rock hard, my father struggled with the extreme saltiness of his chicken stir-fry and my veggies seemed to have been left out for too long - they were cold, a weird texture and the edges of the carrots were rolling in and going a bit crusty. No apology from the staff when our food finally did arrive. There was also water dripping from a ceiling light just behind my dad and we alerted the staff but nothing was done. My dad, who is frail and was already cold, got dro pm upped on several times getting in and out of his seat or just leaning back a bit too far. During our 2 hours in the tavern, we saw several full plates of food sent back to the kitchen and people at all the tables around us were complaining about the food and the wait. Felt sorry for the staff, management seemed really poor and to not really care. Have been several times before but after this experience we will...