Number One Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

I mostly have only good stuff to say, but I will get the down side out of the way first. We were looking for somewhere a bit spesh for valentines. I didn’t have a heap of pre-requisites, but a big one was “no shared bench seating”. I was scouring photos and discounting anything that looked like this would be a possibility. I slipped up. We were shown to our table at Number One, and we were in the middle of a bench. I don’t know why places do this. They were all tables for two, so people are going as a couple. If we wanted to be exchanging comments or awkward smiles with other people we would bring our own buddies. Instead we kept staring straight ahead, trying not to look at food arriving on either side in case we were caught staring. And we could not look at the lovely view out the window in case the people on that side thought we were looking at them. BUT with all the pluses about Number One, if you stipulated a table near the window or away from the bench you wouldn’t have much to grizzle about. Unless you like that sort of thing. Decor and planning wise they’ve been a bit clever. It is a large space and can be a bit noisy, but they’ve broken it up into sections which saves it from being too cafeteria-like. The staff were brilliant. Without exception (and there were a LOT of them) they were friendly and keen to please without being “too much”. A big plus was that they seemed to genuinely cared about our experience, but never one interrupted our chewing or conversation to ask if we were enjoying our meal. They wanted to ensure we did … but had the emotional intelligence to know when the right time for this is! Foodwise we had the four-course special valentines menu. It was to die for. I am not a huge eater, but managed the four courses easily. This was not because of small portions, but rather that the spacing of them was perfect. I loved everything I had. But a highlight for me was the beef terrine with beetroot relish. If I had to eat one dish only for the rest of my life, I could do worse! Mind you, the chocolate soufflé wasn’t too shabby either. I apologise I have no photos of the amazing food, but didn’t want to take pics in front of the neighbours. But trust me, it was lovely. I do recommend Number One. If we go again I will request a table not situated on the bench and have no doubt our experience will be perfect. PS: thank you for chairs with arms. For someone with a disability I get a bit nervous these days. Will I be able to get up from a table after dinner. God bless chairs with arms. (The other half...

Great venue for an evening meal at this Resort, even if the initial speed of service was a little slow. The staff member serving us rotated her time between her allotted tables well, and her service was at all times courteous and helpful. Given this was a Monday night in the middle of school holidays, her efforts were much appreciated. We shared the Zealy Bay Sourdough (not a patch on others I’ve tried!), and the mixed olives(deliciously warmed), while we made a start on our bottle of Jim Barry’s Cab Sav (a great choice). I ordered the Slow-cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek, with Jerusalem artichokes, tasty mash, sautéed spinach and a rich jus, supplemented by the Roast carrots with zugh mint, which I shared with my spouse, who ordered the Pork Belly, which had the correct balance of crunchy crackling and succulent meat. I was surprised to read the dissatisfaction of a recent diner with the Beef Cheek - it was a standout for me! My major disappointment was that the Chef (and in fact the entire Club) had made no effort to celebrate Bastille Day, and like others before us in recent reviews, no attempt to recognise important personal celebrations of guests despite such being indicated on bookings. This contrasts unfavourably with earlier reviews in a different season, suggesting a mismatch between booking a table and kitchen awareness of both seasonal, international and personal celebratory events. There are certainly areas and opportunities for improvements to enhance the...

The only reason I chose to dine here was because I was staying at the RACV Resort and it was convenient. I had clearly noted in the reservation that it was for a birthday, but there was no acknowledgment or effort to make the experience feel special. I wasn’t expecting a complimentary dessert (though that would’ve been a nice touch), but even the option to purchase something prepared for the occasion would have made a difference.

We ordered: • Zeally Bay Sourdough – Nothing special. Pretty standard. • Oysters – Not as fresh as I’d like; lacked that clean, ocean taste. • Butternut Pumpkin Risotto – Surprisingly good. Full of flavor and easily the standout dish of the night. • Grilled Lamb Cutlets – Cooked medium rare as requested. Nicely done, with good flavor. • Slow Braised Beef Cheek – This was the most disappointing. While the beef was tender, it was bland, and the crème potato was nearly non-existent. I’ve had better—this dish really lacked depth.

The food overall was average and not worth the price. Service during dinner was slow and inattentive, which added to the underwhelming experience.

That said, the next morning we had the complimentary breakfast buffet, and service from the young gentleman looking after our section was excellent—friendly, efficient, and a highlight of our stay.

It’s a shame, because the restaurant has potential and the resort itself is lovely. But based on this visit, I wouldn’t return to the restaurant. Just...