The Corner House, Bondi — Restaurant in Sydney

I was dining here on Saturday night with some friends. I was driving, so could only have 2 glasses of wine for the evening. I ordered a Pinot Grigio by the glass to begin with and it was lovely (I did have to chase it up as it didn't arrive for about 15-20 mins – but that was no big deal as they were really busy). Then I ordered a Malbec (one of my favourite grape varietals). Both glasses were $16 per glass. When the Malbec arrived, I had a sip and noticed straight away it was off. It tasted like vinegar. I was embarrassed to say anything (and hardly ever complain in restaurants) but for $16 in a cost of living crisis and for one of my only 2 glasses that night, I decided to discreetly tell the waitress. I got up and walked inside so I did not have to feel embarrassed telling her in front of the group. I told her the bottle must have been open for a bit too long or something. She was really lovely about it and said she would get me a new glass. But soon after, she returned to my table and was disappointed to tell me that the bartender had refused. She said he had tasted it with a straw and had claimed there was nothing wrong with the wine. My table now all involved, smelt the wine and agreed with me that it was not right. She said the bartender had said that I would have to buy a new glass if I wanted a new one. I felt bad for the waitress being caught in the middle so I told her I would speak to him. I went inside and was really polite in saying "'I'm so sorry, I know you are busy, I never complain but there is something wrong with this wine". The girl behind the bar stared at me blankly. The guy said he had tasted it and it was fine. It didn't make sense, as if he had, he would have known it was off. And I said "have you smelt it, there is clearly something wrong with it?". This went on for a while. He then tried to insult me saying "I think you just don't like Portuguese wine. You probably would prefer a Pinot Noir." Implying that I am uncultured. I am not only an avid wine drinker but I have my WSET level 1 in wine and over 10 years of hospitality experience working as a bartender and waitress. I have worked in wine bars, cocktail bars and high-end restaurants. And I have also lived in Europe, drinking European wine varietals. This was an insulting and unnecessary comment. I know when wine is off.

After a while, he agreed to pour me a new wine but without me asking, he gave me the Pinot Noir. I tasted it, it was fine so I took it and that was that. It was another insult to give me the Pinot Noir.

This was an extremely disappointing experience and a terrible way to treat a customer. The wine was off. The waitress was nice. The bartender was terribly rude. He'd either lied about tasting it. Or just did not want to admit defeat. I will not be returning here to pay $16 for off wine and be insulted by...

My partner and I went for dinner last night as an early Valentine’s date and I was left very disappointed. I ordered a Diet Coke and it came out flat. After taking it back, the new glass seemed better but within two minutes was also flat? The arancini were dry and unexceptional. Our starter plate was cleared and the waitress told us our mains were ready and would be coming out now. We kept waiting and waiting - they came out 10-15 minutes after. Which was fine, but I don’t know why we were told they were ready. My partner asked for the lemond cocktail but was given another lemon spritz. Most disappointing for me was my pizza. The menu clearly stated the Gonzi 3.0 had fior di latte and buffalo mozzarella. However, there was no fior di latte on it, just torn pieces of buffalo mozzarella scattered on top. When I told the staff, the manager said that’s how the pizza always is and had to check the menu after I said about the two cheeses. She read it and just said that’s how it comes, it’s not meant to be a ‘heavy pizza’ and was quite dismissive of my point about the description of the pizza. It’s fine if this is how the pizza comes, but the description was misleading and should be updated on the menu. I was made to feel like it was my fault and I didn’t know what I was talking about even though it’s the restaurant’s mistake. I’m not Italian but I haven’t eaten plenty of woodfired pizzas in my time and know if fior di latte is listed as an ingredient, there should be melted, stretchy cheese on the pizza! Positives: the waitress was lovely and my partner really enjoyed his pizza. They also didn’t charge us for his...

What a disappointment. I used to love this restaurant but things have changed here.

Dined on a Tuesday night with my parents, and my partners parents, and it was a pretty bad experience from start to finish.

The acting manager that night swanned around and seemed unwilling to help the stretched serving staff. We waited an hour until anyone was served a drink. There were only about 4 other people in our side of the restaurant. She also pre opened the bottle of wine we ordered and poured when it was the wrong one. When we realised she had poured the wrong bottle they asked us what we thought they should do...Strange.

Had to ask for the house focaccia bread to be served at the start (something they do every time I've been before). Brought 5 pieces for a table of 6. Odd.

3 people ordered the prawns to start. Small fried shrimp bait. Not very good and no one finished their dish. I had the the tuna to start. Tiny thin pieces and very bland. Ordered the sirloin steak for main. Steak was burnt on edges. Chips were dry.

Overcharged us at the end which had to be corrected.

The downstairs toilet had numerous flies buzzing around inside it. No joke. If the toilet had problems, why not close it and ask people to use upstairs instead?

After years of coming here that was definitely the last time....