Hotel Victor — Restaurant in Victor Harbor

Last Friday night my friend, who has a dog, and I, went to the Hotel Victor so that we could sit outside. The outside area is pleasant although a little windy, but one can’t help the weather. It was very busy. There was one person taking orders as there was only one computer on which to enter the orders. I queued for quite a long time, but didn’t mind too much as the place was busy and we hadn’t arrived until 6.30pm. I explained that I wanted 2 Greek salads one with the dressing on the side and with squid added, plus a serve of steak cooked medium. After I ordered, I walked around to the bar. Again, there was only one female staff member serving and only one person ahead of me. The person ahead of me probably ordered 10 different drinks, one at a time, and so that was taking quite a considerable amount of time. Fortunately, another person came to serve, but walked straight up to 2 men who were at the other end of the bar and who had arrived sometime after me. When he walked past me to pour a drink I said “Excuse me, I was next!” He completely ignored me. When it was eventually my turn to order from the young woman, she went to pour a beer and the keg ran out. She was most apologetic and explained it would only be a few minutes and that she would bring the beer out to me. She also apologised for the delay in serving which I accepted. However, I did point out to her that the young man who was also serving, needed to be reminded that when he came up to the bar to serve he needed to ask “who was next?” I asked for a small bottle of sparkling mineral water and a glass with ice and some lime. I was informed that there was no lime, only lemon. I had been away from our table for quite a long time. My friend waited even longer for his beer but at least the young woman who had served me was kind enough to bring it out to him. I’m not sure about the licensing regulations, but neither of the people serving behind the bar had an RSA badge with their name on it. In fact, I don’t recall any of the staff members having a name badge. This makes it difficult to pinpoint particular people for praise or to make suggestions for improved service. Later a member of staff came out and asked who had wanted squid with the salad and then told me there was no squid - the chef had run out of squid, and what would I like instead? I was feeling particularly frustrated at this point but opted for the grilled chicken, which I might add was the best part of my salad when it arrived. When our food was brought out to the table, my friend’s salad had the dressing on the side. I pointed out that I had wanted the dressing on the side. The response was “it was probably put it on when they added the chicken”. I purposely always ask for the dressing on the side because I do not like salad swimming in dressing which was the case the other night. My friend’s steak was not cooked medium and he was most disappointed with the salad. Truthfully, I only ate my dinner because I was hungry. In all, it was a very disappointing experience. With so many choices of places to eat in Victor especially for me because I don’t have a dog, I won’t be revisiting the Hotel Victor...

Three of us went for Christmas lunch. 8 weeks beforehand I called to book, was told the person I needed had gone home for the day, call back tomorrow. I called back next day to be told she was at lunch, call back later. I said I was told that yesterday and look what's happened, maybe she could call me back. Told she would call tomorrow, I waited for 5 days and decided to call again. When I said to the woman you were meant to call me last Monday she 'recalled' that she did call me but I didn't answer. Don't people realise mobile phones tell you everything, I didn't have a missed call. Then came the day. We booked for the second seating at 1.45pm. Most of the food was nice. The cheese and dried fruit platter looked like it was left over from the 12pm sitting, and this was when we first arrived. The Desserts were already put out and a lot of people were grabbing them early, I later realised why. The turkey and ham were very dry, there was no octopus like the menu stated, there were no roast veg when we got to them, nor any of the green veg. The gravy was like water. When we went for dessert the area was basically empty. I'm not exaggerating. I asked a staff member if more was coming out, he went to get some. Out came an Apricot cheesecake thing, (mass production) and after the first slice was taken it looked like vomit, it was so sloppy from being thawed out wrong. The same with a custard fruit tart, it was left in its foil base which made it difficult to get a slice so people were just sticking spoons in it to take it out, it also looked inedible after 30 seconds. Some rocky road was bought out and some sliced fruit. Now the menu said: Pavlova, there was none, Christmas pudding with brandy custard, there was none, chocolate mousse, none, fresh fruit and chocolate fondue, all the chocolate fondues were completely empty, cheese selection and dried fruits, that hadn't even been replenished from when we first arrived, and a selection of slices, the 'selection' was just the rocky road. Oh, there were also some little kiddy jelly and custard cups bought out late. Woop! The price was $110 per head, even for pensioners. We wouldn't have minded paying that if we had all the choices that were given to us on the menu. Apart from one young girl that poured our drinks, I say poured because so much post mix went down the drain I had to look away before I said something, the staff were lovely, they mostly had smiles on their faces even though they were working Christmas lunch. So good on you guys for that. But as far as management of the food was concerned, this needs to step up, at least make sure the second sitting is given what's written on the menu. And I've looked at this menu and there is no mention of things could change on the day. So we won't be back next year sorry to say, as we've been locals for over...

being a victor local, i’ve been left disappointed by this place every single time. one of the first times i went, i ordered a Caesar salad and had to add the chicken which is strange in itself, which costed an extra $6. $27 for a caeser these days isn’t that crazy, however the portion size was ridiculous. it was tiny and very low quality and i was left still hungry but couldn’t justify spending more as that meal was already pricey. then went to order a gin and tonic, and the lad behind the bar had no idea how to make one. he didnt offer for lemon or lime, didnt put ice in and his service was very poor in general. i understand that he was maybe new, but come on, wheres the basic training? especially for the prices i was paying! leaving disappointed, i came in a few weeks later with my partner just for a few drinks thinking how bad can it be. we sat at a table and used the QR to order drinks. everything was fine, i was ordering margaritas as we had just returned from a trip and we we’re celebrating. the older waitress then rudely commented on the fact i was ordering margaritas and i felt very shamed and judged. when we ordered our last round of drinks, they never arrived so i went up to the bar after 20 minutes. myself and another customer were standing there waiting, while said waitress along with 2 others were standing there, backs to us chatting. eventually we got their attention, i asked where my drinks were and the waitress was shocked, having no idea. i then watched her realise our order had printed out and was just left sitting there, then told me “sorry drinks wont be long” waited another 10 minutes for 2 poorly made drinks. not to mention it was a quiet tuesday afternoon and not holiday season. just not acceptable at all. being a hospitality worker myself, i understand it can be difficult at times in the industry, but this place is consistently bad, staff have been rude and do not offer good service and the prices charged vs the quality of food and drinks is just not okay at all....