Hardy's Verandah — Restaurant in South Australia

Upon entering Hardy's Verandah, a sense of awe from the view quickly dissolved into confusion as we were directed to our seating. Our table was adjacent to a lifeless brick wall, providing a riveting study of masonry in a dining room otherwise peppered with vacant tables boasting unobstructed views of the valley. Tables that would remain empty throughout our dining time.

Looking around, we noticed that we were seated next to the only other couple in the restaurant. Their raucous conversation punctuated the otherwise vacant room's silence. Their volume set to 'stun' - drowning any hope for a quiet meal.

Our invisibility cloaks worked wonders as no less than 4 wait staff masterfully navigated around us, attending to the needs of our neighbours, giving us a solid 15 minutes to ponder the deep intricacies of our thirst.

The experience was a masterclass in disappointment. The advertised online lunch menu was a no-show, much like the restaurant's grasp on reality. I queried this with a staff member, who seemed as informed as a fish out of water. A quick huddle with management yielded nothing but a limp apology. The lunch menu was indeed absent from the website, something they would aim to resolve. At least the bubbles arrived and were a welcome distraction. We started talking about what cocktails to order and presented this to staff.

When the cocktails finally arrived, we were in for a prickly experience. Picture a classic Bramble cocktail with a vodka twist, a harmonious blend of vodka and blackberry. Imagine our surprise when the first sip revealed not the delicate dance of blackberry and vodka, but the aggressive punch of Sambuca. The Sambuca, bold and unapologetic, bulldozed over the cocktail's delicate profile. We were informed that the bartender couldn't find the Crème de Mûre, so instead, in a gross mental lapse, substituted it with Sambuca. The substitution was as jarring as finding a chili in a fruit salad. This was not a Bramble, it was an identity crisis in a glass. The staff returned with their promised fix, this time a simple a vodka and lemon, still painfully lacking the deep purple hue of Crème de Mûre. But third time's a charm and finally a cocktail emerged that tasted like it should - although nowhere to be seen were the decorative blackberries which, thinking back, remained as elusive as a satisfying meal in this establishment.

Our entrees arrived, the spicy cauliflower was a fleeting delight, a solitary high point before the descent into a culinary abyss where pork belly crackling didn't crackle, and scallops were transformed into overcooked rubbery pucks.

After the underwhelming entree experience, trying to flag down a server for a third round of drinks was like signaling for rescue from a deserted island. We abandoned hope and traversed the length of the restaurant to obtain the drink menu ourselves.

The setting of the table for the main course was yet another exhibit of the restaurant's incompetence. Different cutlery at our seats suggested a mix-up that would be comical if it weren't so pathetic. When we questioned this mismatch, we were curtly informed that I had ordered fish — a dish as absent from our order as precision was from this establishment's service. A testament to the staff's alarming lack of attention to detail, and a blunt insult to our already dwindling dining expectations.

When the mains arrived they were a minimalist's dream — tiny beef medallions that left us contemplating whether the cow had been on a diet. No sweet ending was to be had either, the dessert offer was skipped in a rush to present the bill, an act of mercy from the otherwise inattentive staff perhaps.

Looking at the bill, it stood as a stark reminder that our wallets would be the only things lighter than our rumbling stomachs. Overpriced, overrated, and underwhelming. A symphony of culinary calamities, truly a dining experience...

No signage on main entrance which made it difficult to find. Just having a sign with each of the establishments within would be super helpful to new patrons. Walk up the stairs, the door will be closed but its unlocked so you just walk in and its at end of the hall on the right.

We booked the high tea which was exceptional. They don't have a coffee menu but can make most standard orders. They didn't have hazelnut syrup available for cappuccinos though.

The staff were friendly but I would have liked a bit more table service for drink refills etc. Sometimes it takes a while for things to come out or to get someone's attention.

Cannot say a bad thing about the selection of food on the high tea. Everything was amazing. Probably the best high tea I've been to. They did not miss. The Scones were soft but not too crumbly, powdered but not messy and had a crisp glazing. Clotted cream was lightly seasoned too. Perfection really.

The sandwiches were light refreshing and flavorful. Big fan of the bacon egg with wasabi mayo.

I'm not the biggest enjoyer of seafood but the salmon Blini was also delicious. A flavor palette to suit and satiate anyone I feel. The second time we went there were more seafood options but I enjoyed them all.

Monto rosso donut was interesting and tasty. I dislike celery but it meshed really well with the flavor.

All the sweets were wonderful. The Madeline and frosting was delicious cakey and light. The Cherry bakewell tart had marinated Cherries and the flavor was definitely alcoholic strong but was really complimented by the pastry and creaminess. Mini pav was light and soft. Choux pastry was the perfect texture.

We only had 2 other tables aside from us so you get a lot of privacy and an absolutely stunning view.

I love the elegant cottage feel to the decor and the chairs were very comfortable. They have Bag stools you can put your handbag on and offer to hang up your coats.

If youre celebrating something they bring you out and cute brownie with a note. I was too full to finish it but it was lovely. I was congratulated by patrons and staff members alike so I felt...

I haven't been for many years and had heard it was one of only a handful of Adelaide's so called last Fine Dining restaurants. All the critics rave, my turn.. The night began fine, with the Saturday night dining rules explained- set menu with a choice of main. The staff are well drilled, to the point that anything you ask that they haven't memorized really throws them. It seems even expensive, fine dining, famous venues are not really training their staff- just telling them what to say. Initial drinks were ordered, but took ages to arrive, literally just as first course came! Big no no. The sommelier was seen occasionally but it seems he only attended tables with the matching wines as he never approached us, so we had to wade through the phone book of mainly predictable, overpriced big names by ourselves. The food came and went and was described in very rehearsed matter of fact manner. None of the staff really able to inject some personality or something interesting to add about it all. It was also like stepping back in time to Nouvelle Cuisine. I really thought Chefs were long over the need for a magnifying glass when served a multi course set menu! The serves were at times ridiculously tiny, my lamb main course looked like a tidbit for an art show, not a meal. Then, the final classic hospo mistake- dessert went down and.. we were forgotten! All staff just disappeared. It seems they had all been knocked off. The usual, would be to keep our server on but no, we fell through the cracks. Dirty plates still on the table, a staff member I hadn't seen before suddenly appears and plonks the bill. After no one reappears, we have to search for someone. They say- "oh, I assumed you were staying in house and you were just putting it on your room". Wow! Really? Then to cap it all off, we gave specific instructions as to how we wanted to split the bill- some had wine, some didn't and that too was ignored. So.. can you really be 'fine dining' just because you are in a fine old house.. but everything else is...