Farmers Arms Daylesford Hotel — Restaurant in Victoria

If I could give this place zero stars I would. At the start our experience was really good as we walked in and was seated. We ordered drinks and a baked cheese wheel to start with. The waitress took the drinks menu and we asked nicely if she could leave that behind she gave us a really awkward look and then walked off. As the food came we started to eat it and it was awful we couldnt eat it. The drinks were really nice. It was so nice that I ordered another drink. The staff weren't really hospitable and we just thought that they were new no big deal. My friend asked nicely if we could please have the bill. They never asked if we were happy with the food as most places would ask, which I was like that's okay I will just say something to her while she brings over the bill. As she brought the bill over. I asked her sorry just wondering what kind of cheese that was. She stuttered and then said it is camembert and brie and then I said we should have asked but it would have been nice for it to say it on the menu. She then replied saying yes alot of people don't like it actually. I responded saying In that case it would have been nice for you to tell us that as we ordered it. I said I'm happy to pay half of it but $36.00 is alot of money for food that didn't taste nice. Again she got awkward and said she will speak to manager. The manager came over and was so rude and said in demeaning way what is the problem here with the food. I explained and his response was well you should have asked, don't you think that would be the smart thing to do when you order something. I said hold up don't speak to me like I was asking a question and you've come over here being extremely intimidating and rude. His response was you girls have been rude to my staff and they don't lie I believe them, whatever my staff say I believe them, I know them & I dont know you girls. I said hold up we haven't been rude to your staff at all in any way, I have used my manners and haven't been rude nor have my friends. He said I'm over having this conversation I will remove the the cheese from the bill and then you can go. He also said that the cheese isn't camembert or brie it a local cheese. I said well even your staff dont know what it is so even if we did ask we would have been given the wrong information. My point to the story and being in hospitality myself I would never in my life handle this situation as this manager did. Absolutely...

I visited the Farmers Arms, Daylesford today with my family and this was our experience. We were greeted by the manager who was extremely rude because we had not requested a high chair for our 7 month old grand-daughter when we booked the table. He gave us the option of sitting outside, which we didn't want to do. When we were shown to our table, we were in a corner booth where a high chair could have easily been placed at the end of the table, which we suggested. He replied rudely with "I will not be putting a high chair here today" giving the reason that it would interfere with the service of food. My daughter said she would just hold the baby. We further requested a high chair once the food had been served. The waitress said she would ask her manager. A different manager came over and said that she could not give us a high chair as it would interfere with the service of food. We said we had already been served and just wanted a high chair for 10 mins so my daughter could eat, she got angry and rude and said "let me be clear, if I give you one, it will be as a favour as we don't allow a high chair in this area and I've given you your options" The options were to move to another table, which was only presented when the majority of our table had eaten half of their meals or for my daughter to move to another table with our granddaughter to another table by themselves, which she didn't want to do, given we were out for a family lunch. We again reiterated that the reason they said they didn't allow the high chair was now void as the food had been served and we only wanted it for a few minutes for my daughter to eat her food. The manager was extremely rude and should not be in the customer field. We paid $300 for an average lunch with some of the worse service I have experienced. The most ridiculous part is that the High Chair could have easily been placed at one side of the table and allowed plenty of space for the service of food, however the manager just did not want to accomodate one because it was their "policy" which had no valid base. The shoulder lamb that I had was rather dry and when I asked whether I could have extra just, I was told that it would cost five dollars. However the waitress later did provide me with...

I’m really saddened to have to write this review. We’ve been coming to The Farmers Arms for over 10 years and have recommended it to so many family and friends who equally have raved about this pub. We even have a family tradition of coming for lunch before we all head home after being in Daylesford for Christmas. Today, we had lunch and all left so disappointed with our experience.

We had booked a table for 7 (and we thought + high chair) instead we were told the 7 included the high chair and they gave us another chair but nowhere to put it, then suggested my 3 year old sit behind his brother who was in the high chair. The waitress who initially showed us to our table decided to tell us the specials by interrupting half of us who were seated talking (2 guests not even seated yet.) she appeared behind myself and bluntly said “can I say something?” Before reeling off the specials quickly.

The bench seat half our guests sat on was sticky, and made an audible noise when one guest would stand up.

The quality of food today was also a bit disappointing - the seafood pasta was great but pork belly and pot pie were not like they used to be.

All this being said, we’re not the type of people to complain and appreciate it’s a holiday period and a busy challenging time for all businesses.

HOWEVER - after spending over $400 Our parting gift was a dust pan and brush! Our 13month old had eaten a kids meal and so consequently there was some chips and fish batter on the floor under his high chair. I’m still shocked to write this - they asked us to clean it up and brought me a dust pan and brush. I would completely understand if we had brought food in externally and he’d spilt yoghurt everywhere as an example - but that wasn’t the case. So, after paying for a $400 lunch - I’m on my hands and knees sweeping up chips.

Having worked in hospitality for years myself I would understand what level of mess would be considered excessive or inconsiderate - and this wasn’t it. Can I suggest if your staff are not willing to sweep up some chips from under a high chair then you either ban children or get new ones....