The Rifle Brigade Hotel — Restaurant in Victoria

It was great. I was there for a function, so it's impossible to make any kind of proper review.

Functions are hard. They are even harder to do well at as a bistro style restaurant.

How high are your expectations really? I am some guy writing this on his phone in the nude after a shower before he goes to work at 5am. This isnt journalism, this is dogs breakfast social media.

Functions should not really be a point for which a business is judged. Unless you run a function centre. Then, i would go nuts. Especially a big one, like say... er, Crown.

Having eaten there, i can say a lot of their stuff is average. It's nice, but full brigade kitchens in Australia are rarely any good unless their management is ripping you off.

The Rifle by comparison, would tear the head off a Crown kitchen brigade, and the rest is proverb. The big brigades do 1 thing at a time, this crew do alright, they have service to run and a function to manage. They got it done and the food and service was as good as any function centre.

You have no control over what staff decide to call in, of for what staff can not make it to work, or often who is rostered on, let alone the walk in's that turn up on the night at the same time as the function, when you are booked to capacity while you are running a bloody function!

So, when you have that- and picky guests at a function, can not see it, it's likely to cause a problem or two. When the guests at a function find a thread to pull, they keep pulling until the jumper is gone.

No matter what a kitchen does, no matter how good or bad, nothing can prepare you for the things that happen because of a function.

So in conclusion, i have to put my pants on and go to work. Go have a beer on view st, and have a feed. Tip your staff and remember, those old Bendigo buildings have served more booze and food, than likely you can imagine. If it isnt up to scratch (?) Then come back when it isn't busy and book a table during a quiet time. That's the best...

I have to say upfront that this review might be a bit biased in this review as I visit “The Rifle” once a week.

There is a good reason why. The food is great, the beer is cold and the service is with a smile.

The food quality is on the upper side of a classic pub meal. All the basic pub meals are done excellent; familiar enough not to frighten away the conservatives but the added quality touches to the quality of ingredients and condiments make them stand above the rest.

If you stray from the usual pub affair and explore the ever changing special board you will find gems like Venison sausages or Grilled Atlantic salmon. For the specials; you have to pay a premium with some meals straying over the $30 mark. To drink there are craft beers on tap as well and local wines to accompany the meal.

The service is excellent. It might help that I am a regular but I can’t see why the friendly service won’t cross over to new patrons.

Be wary that the pub isn’t huge and finding a table if you haven’t pre-booked can be hard; especially if there is an event at the QEO or at the Art Gallery. Also some sections are cramped so they may not be as kid friendly as other venues when they are flat out.

If you are in Bendigo and looking for a place that you will know you’ll get a quality pub meal; give “The...

The bar staff were friendly lovely people Harry and the mid shift team, excellent crew happily tipped them.

Management however. Today 29th of November attended the venue for an emotional event. I spent around $300 over the bar.

I lit up a cigarette as a bowl of chips came to our table. Instead of asking me politely to move to a designated area a female duty manager yelled at me from a distance that I cannot smoke whilst food is out on a table. ( I had asked on arrival if the venue was licensed outside and if smoking allowed. I was told yes not a problem)

There is a nice professional way to do so and then there was her way. Clearly this female duty manager shouldn't be in the hospitality field if this is how she thinks it's appropriate to speak with paying patrons that have just attended a funeral.

Put up signs in these areas so people who are visiting from out of town know or kindly speak to the patrons so they understand policy.

Other then that bar staff incredible, decent priced drinks, management you need to learn people skills or get out of the...