Elm Dining — Restaurant in Victoria

We recently had the pleasure of experiencing a delightful 6-course sitting at The Elm, a charming restaurant nestled in the heart of a beautiful town. Our party of three included a member with an egg allergy and another who follows a pescatarian diet, making our dining experience a test of the staff's adaptability and creativity.

Right from the start, the staff at The Elm proved to be exceptionally accommodating, ensuring that our dietary restrictions were well taken care of. Their friendly and attentive service set the tone for what turned out to be a memorable culinary journey.

The first course featured a delightful array of offerings, including a selection of bread, fresh oysters, and a tantalizing whipped cheese. Each element showcased the chef's skill and dedication to quality. However, it was the following dish of raw kangaroo that truly stood out. A bold choice, it proved to be polarizing among our group. If you have an affinity for gamy flavors, this dish is sure to be a treat, but those less adventurous may find it challenging.

Moving on to the mains, we were treated to a trio of beautifully crafted dishes – chicken, fish, and eye fillet. Each plate was a testament to the chef's mastery of diverse cooking techniques, with flavors that left a lasting impression. The variety in the mains catered perfectly to our diverse preferences, offering something for everyone.

The climax of our gastronomic adventure arrived with the dessert course. Far from the conventional, the dessert was a topic of animated discussion among us. Some found it to be delightfully tart, while others deemed it an acquired taste. Regardless, the uniqueness of the dessert added an extra layer of intrigue to our culinary journey.

For those who consider themselves true food enthusiasts, The Elm's 6-course sitting is a culinary journey worth embarking on. However, if you're not a foodie or are unwilling to step outside your comfort zone, there's a chance some dishes may be more challenging for your palate. Nevertheless, the overall experience, coupled with the staff's accommodation and the charming ambiance, makes The Elm a destination that leaves a lasting,...

Walked in with wine that was quiet visible to staff, but was not told, nor did we see sign anywhere saying no BYO. We had to ask if could bring our own wine to find out we couldn't. Also menu out the front was dimly lit, so you could not notice it stated you had to order at least two very expensive items from it, not just one item. We will not ever be going there again under these circumstances. Leave it up to other people to decide what choice they make.

"IN REPLY TO YOUR DEFAMING AND LYING REPLY TO MY REVIEW"

Firstly, read Googles rules on being able to leave reviews about restaurants and other establishments, or get off this site. As i, under their terms and conditions, are allowed to leave a review concerning the dis service at your so called restaurant.

Secondly, your menu outside of your restaurant is lit so poorly, especially after looking at numerous other outside restaurant menus in your area, it was only after going inside, that we discovered you force people to order at least two meals to be allowed to eat in your so called restaurant. So not our fault, yours.

Thirdly, before you go online and lie about and defame people, i suggest you take a long hard look at things there, too. As you also state falsely concerning the part about our wine. As it was quite clearly visible in our hands and not hidden in anyway, and could not have been in anymore of clear site of you and your staff, even if we had been carrying it on our heads. It was only after we asked you on numerous occasions if you were BYO, that you finally told all of us no.

Fourthly, it was your behavior and not ours which was abhorrent. As on having been treated by you and your staff as if we were some kind of dumb hicks from hicksville, with your ignorant answers to our questions, we finally decided to depart your so called restaurant, in a polite and dignified way.

Maybe in the future you and your staff will not try to rip off and have a belligerent attitude towards people who are thinking of dining at, as i said, your so...

UPDATE: After returning a year later I must say I am even more blown away by this week's dining experience than I was last time. Not only has Elm gone through a complete revamp, turning from quaint country doctors office to a moody neoclassical dining experience, but the menu has completely changed to match - becoming more edgy through its use of modern Japanese flavours, cooked with classical European techniques. Our table particularly loved the Elm tartare, made with the most incredibly textured pressed watermelon and the Murry River cod rillettes with daikon chips. The desserts have also taken a solid step up, our last course balancing delicate flavours of camomile, peach and elderflower in a loose interpretation of a cheesecake. Add to the experience the charming staff and knock out wine pairing, I seriously couldn't fault this place. I will be very surprised if Elm isn't included in next year's Good Food Guide. Thanks team!

We booked in at Elm for our last night in Bright after being recommended by some locals. The restaurant is beautiful with only a few tables, meaning we were really looked after by our waitress Annalynne. The menu changes each week, but always available is the fresh baked sourdough with smoked butter (insanely good). Also if they still have it on the menu, highly recommend the barramundi with preserved lemon or the octopus with nduja...