The Virgin Kitchen — Restaurant in Victoria

The Virgin Cafe is a great fit-out of a tired old building that was very much in need of a refurb. The outdoor areas are particularly define on a sunny day. The food (on this occasion) is pretty reasonable overall, the service is reasonable and the coffee is really good. I'd prefer to give them a 7 out of 10, but it was better than a 3 out of 5 I've given them. My food today, a poached egg, with dried heirloom tomatoes, smashed avocado, basil oil and basil salad, roasted pepperonata salsa, & toasted dukkah on sour dough (I skipped the sour dough), was reasonable, but not amazing. I was very disappointed by the dried heirloom tomatoes that didn't seem dry at all, but particularly flavoursome for an heirloom variety. The dish was very wet and not particulary filling (even with an extra egg). The pepperonata salsa was flavoursome and the poached eggs perfectly cooked, but it was lacking depth of flavour. Whilst I skipped the sour dough in mine, even with the addition of it, whilst it would have been more filling, it wouldn't have changed the flavour profile much or the complexity of the dish. My companion however, had the Japanese Croquette; two large smoked brisket croquettes with cauliflower hollandaise, poached egg, & spiced seeds and rocket salad. This was a substantially bigger meal, that was more complex to make and definitely more interesting and flavoursome. The hollandaise was more a roasted cauliflower puree, but delicious. The croquettes were also really full of flavour and crunch, though they barely contained any beef. And the salad, simple as it was, was also good. This was a much better dish, though lacking enough beef to really call it a brisket croquette, or even imply the brisket is the main ingredient; it's VERY potato dominated. The coffee was really good. The outdoor area amongst the trees and comes is what makes the atmosphere great for brunch or lunch on a sunny day though, and it is one of the better establishments in the...

Title: Disappointing Experience with Poor Service

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

My wife and I recently visited The Virgin Kitchen for lunch, and unfortunately, our experience left much to be desired. While I understand that everyone has off days, the poor service and lackluster dishes were significant enough for me to leave this two-star review.

Megan ordered the Hazelnut & Date Porridge with Coconut, Dark Chocolate, and Raspberry. However, to our dismay, the dish arrived with strawberries instead of raspberries. Megan strongly dislikes strawberries, and it was disheartening to see that her preference had been overlooked. I immediately approached the counter to raise the issue, emphasizing Megan's dislike for strawberries and explaining that she would never order anything with them in it. The response we received was underwhelming, to say the least. The staff member simply acknowledged the mistake and mentioned informing the kitchen before walking away.

Aside from the poor substitution, I ordered the Crispy Chicken Benedict. While it was edible, it fell far short of being anything special. The dish lacked the flavorful impact that one would expect from a Benedict, leaving me underwhelmed and disappointed. Considering the reputation of The Virgin Kitchen, I had higher expectations for both the food and the service.

The most disappointing aspect of our visit was undoubtedly the poor service. The lack of attentiveness and indifference displayed by the staff member when addressing our concerns left a sour taste in our mouths. As paying customers, we expected a more proactive approach in rectifying the error and ensuring our satisfaction.

Regrettably, based on this experience, we have decided not to return to The Virgin Kitchen. While I understand that mistakes happen, it is the response and effort to make things right that truly matters. In this case, the lackluster response and mediocre dishes were enough to deter us from giving this establishment...

A Taste of Daylesford Delight at The Virgin Kitchen

The Virgin Kitchen in Daylesford offers a genuinely enjoyable dining experience, hitting many high notes. We thoroughly enjoyed our recent visit, particularly the standout flavors of the food and the excellent service.

The culinary team at The Virgin Kitchen clearly knows their way around a kitchen. The steak was cooked to perfection, tender and bursting with flavor. Similarly, the gnocchi was a delight – light, pillowy, and perfectly coated in its accompanying sauce.

Each dish showcased a clear dedication to quality ingredients and skilled preparation. Service was another highlight of our evening. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, striking that perfect balance between being present without being intrusive. They made us feel genuinely welcome and ensured our meal flowed smoothly, contributing significantly to a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Our reservations come down to value. While the taste of the food is undeniably excellent, the price per portion is slightly on the higher side. We felt that for the cost, the main courses could have offered a touch more in terms of quantity.

Additionally, the side dishes felt a little overpriced for their size. It would be great to see them come down a little to better align with their contribution to the overall meal.

On the flip side, the drink prices were about on par with other establishments in the area.

Overall, The Virgin Kitchen delivers on taste and service, making it a strong contender for a memorable meal in Daylesford. A small adjustment to the portion sizes and side dish pricing would elevate it to a full...