Banjo's on Albert Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

I'm giving this a two only because overall I have had some pretty good experiences here but my most recent one was honestly very upsetting. We had three steaks at our table on Friday night (30/6) and also a plain snitzel and gravy. The first two steaks came out (after one was wrongfully delivered to table across from us but was quickly corrected) and only one was cooked correctly (medium rare). The other which was meant to be medium well was cooked to the exact same as the first. We waited for them to bring out the rest so we could say something but after nearly 20 minutes of waiting we went up and asked politely for the steak to be cooked to medium well as it was ordered, also asked about the other mains which they said were coming in a minute.

Third steak comes out along with the snitzel very quickly after that and it was almost instantly followed by the second steak which was sent back. Sure enough as you can imagine from the short time span the steak which again was meant to be medium well was still extremely pink and slightly bloody in the middle even after being sent back. They just sucked it up and ate it so as to not risk the steak being ruined from being recooked too many times.

The third steak was also undercooked (was meant to be medium but was literally rare) and so that was sent back too and the same thing happened again. At best it came out medium rare but was still dripping and oozing blood when cut. Was seriously disappointed that they couldn't even cook a steak right for $36 each. Didn't complain after because I hate to be an inconvenience but can't say I'll be rushing back...

I have loved this place for many years however I have unfortunately come across a few faults recently… My grandmother came out for tea with us and only had a doctor’s covid vaccine certificate, she was refused entry and our entire family had to go home because we weren’t willing to have her sit in the car whilst we ate. The elderly group behind us had the same certificates and were also denied entry.

As for the menu, many favourites were removed INCLUDING THE SENIORS MENU. Half serves were barely $5 cheaper than full size yet served in tiny portions inaccurately balanced with their prices. The font size is also tiny and my grandmother simply couldn’t read it so we had to go through it all for her.

Service from some are delightful and genuine, others particularly the front desk are blunt and snappy? Calling out to elderly people across the room to PLEASE PUT YOUR MASK ON SIR in front of the waiting crowd and very much embarrassing people who forget.

I would’ve expected an RSL of all places to be most forgiving/understanding towards elderly people; especially since most don’t own electronics to even access check in, MyGov and whatnot. It’s extremely disappointing seeing a once much loved dining experience go downhill so quickly.

On a positive note, the food was still delicious, the special nights remain great and the timing of meals...

Staff were very pleasant but two out of four meals were less than great. The chicken schnitzel was so bad I could only eat a few mouthfuls (& I eat chicken schnitzels regularly at venues). It tasted like a processed heart shaped chicken you would get pre crumbed from the deli. The lamb blackstrap was very under cooked so that not all could be eaten. These two meals also came out at least 10 minutes after the other two main meals. When the wait staff came and took our plates away we told her that the chicken was terrible. She offered a free drink or dessert. I would have thought a refund was more in order. Sadly we won’t be back unless the food and or the chef improve. It is a shame as it used to be a great...