Baringa Tavern — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

Four of us dined, the night before we had we had been to the sister pub associated with this brand. It was an amazing meal, at this new dazzle-dazzler - we ordered the same meals! . However, we were to be disappointed. We arrived on a Monday night around 7:30 - , the place was nearly deserted. Only four other tables in this immense eating area. Two young staff members were completely uninterested in us or our experience. I had to get up a number of times to ask them to even take our order. Our waiter told me that all the meals are essentially the same between the pubs. I had the Tasmanian salmon dish. I asked because there was nothing similar to the quality of the meal I had the night before - apart from the salmon which was half the size. It was cold, and tasteless, and I noted the quantities and quality of other meals were likewise different . No atmosphere, no service, everyone seemed more interested in cleaning up and getting out for an early close. Again, it was Monday night after all -so perhaps this was the reason. After delivery of the meals, we were left adrift - no one came near us. With so few people the waiter couldn’t even be bothered remembering who ordered what. We were going to order desserts as I was treating the group, but never had the opportunity. A grumpy young woman staff member came and cleared our table, didn’t speak and didn’t ask us if we enjoyed the meal. Totally wouldn’t recommend this place - I was embarrassed that the night was my “treat” tbh. A wonderful venue and obviously a huge investment but completely devoid of atmosphere, service (staff training), and care over food quality. That was my truthful experience - perhaps more about the gambling here?. We spent $150 for the meal for four that was four main courses, two soft drinks and one cocktail. Apart from the new glitz - this Monday night was about as much fun as a disappointing meal...

Food was unfortunately pretty poor, looked good but cooked poor. Husbands chicken was dry, fish wasn’t fresh and pre battered packet fish. Provided feedback to waiter and he remained silent. We sat right beside kids play room, Service was horrible with the waiter telling my husband our child was to loud and a table had complained. Husband questioned family friendly venue and waiter stated our child was loud - mind you our child is under one, was not crying and was happy throughout and the two tables beside us were having a laugh with us prior - with one table noted poor form on waiter and family friendly venue next to kids room, Raised it to floor manager who said waiter should not of said this to us without her knowing, she stated she was not aware and had no issues with our child nor had heard of any complaints. Either way not good, not inviting and was made to feel uncomfortable. Waiter was rude, uneducated on menu and clearly doesn’t respect internal rules if he was not support to note a complaint to us without raising to manager first. Atmosphere was good, nice clean venue. Just a shame about the service and food. Would not recommend food - lots of other local places better which is a shame as this has a lot of potential - won’t be back unless...

Because I needed my meal to be gluten free, I checked the new menu online, and discovered that there were a few "gluten friendly" meals that should be ok for me. I am a celiac, but find that the term gluten free has often been replaced by the term gluten friendly, or worse, gluten reduced, to safeguard the venue. Often this is simply because there is always the risk of cross contamination, which, if I want to eat out, is a risk I have to take. When we arrived though, I was told that the gluten friendly options would not be suitable for me, and that my only real option was steak. (I'm not a great steak eater.) After a lot of to and fro, the chef said they could prepare a piece of grilled chicken for me, with salad. We have been there several times in the past, and always been able to order something suitable, but the tavern has been taken over by a new company recently, and the menu changed. They have also removed the seniors meals, which also had a lovely gluten free chicken option. The other people in our group were very happy with their meals, so it is hard to give a review as a whole. But at present, I could not recommend that anyone with a serious gluten intolerance would be able to dine...