Stringybark Cottage Winery & Restaurant — Restaurant in Western Australia

Was the last stop on a chittering based scavenger hunt that was to result in a nice picnic on the stringybark winery grounds.

Upon arrival we were greeted with a cold glass of water and a warm smile from the owner and proprietor Mary. She offered us some delicious house marinated olives (more on this later)

She entertained and delighted us with a tasting of all stringybarks highly awarded range of wines each paired with a hilarious tale regarding the wines origin. Mary, both a showman and wine maker herself, has an intimate knowledge of the amazing array on display. It’s hard not to lose yourself in her passion for her wines it’s infectious. The rose stood out as a particular favourite for us. Strawberry’s and cream on the front palate, toffee apple in the mid and a very pleasant medium dry finish that kept you going back for another sip. A perfect meal wine.

We decided to throw caution to wind and scrap our picnic and dine at the venue. We were Recomended the pate and the sticky half duck (both staples on the menu) I have to say both did not disappoint. The pate, rich creamy decadent just left us wanting more. Served with perfectly toasted mini baguettes and a sharp tart berry glaze it delighted the tastebuds. The prize and showstopper however was the duck, absolutely marvelled us at its size. The chef has roasted the duck to perfection. Moist crispy tender in all the places you want. Served with Asian greens and on a bed of rice and a side bowl of that sticky sauce for added deliciousness. Upon completion, all that was left to do was get home for a nap after a job well done.

We asked Mary if we could purchase some of her house marinated olives to go, which she was only more than happy to accomodate. We have decided stringybark winery will be our new anniversary tradition. Do yourself a favour and take the drive up to stringybark winery. You...

Arrived and no one helped us, we stood there awkwardly and eventually I asked someone if we could sit somewhere and grab a menu to look at. Her whole attitude was as if we were a real nuisance being there and asked if we had a booking and since we didn't we had to sit far away as it's the only place to sit. We went there and she said she would get us a menu and see if it is possible to serve us as it was busy in the kitchen. We waited for about 20 minutes without a menu. Eventually, I walked in just to politely see where that menu was and the waitress from before and someone else told me that they can only serve people at a certain place outside which was not where the waitress before placed us. I told her I simply wanted to see a menu and that the waitress before said we had to go somewhere else. They seemed really annoyed at me and I was being really calm and polite. Eventually they grabbed a menu and stormed outside and sat me down. My partner and I were really confused and it seemed that they didn't want us there for some reason. She came back 10 minutes later but after all of the hassle, the attitude and overall vibe that we were not wanted there we just decided to leave. I didn't want to argue and I'm not someone who complains but we both honestly felt like we were not wanted. Might be the worst...

I do not lie: It was the WORST dinning experience I have had in many years. I booked 2 months ago, table of 16 plus 2 high chairs. A day before arrival I get a call confirming the booking AND to be told there is another booking of 30 ppl. Well sorry,thats not my concern BUT what was.. We were put into a corner, on 2 tables. 1 of my family chose to eat outside, BECAUSE there was no room for the other family members. Infact it was that bad that my granddaughter head was on a corner piece of wood. She could not lean back in her chair She was so wedged in, when a glass was broken she couldn't move. What made it worse, the waitress commenced "i will stay here" No assistance to clean the shattered glass. Now the meals... the service on the meals was past shocking. They all came out at different times. The waitress kept asking who has missed out. And yes 2 kids got their food 1hr after I had finished.. A simple fish and chips for kids oh and another chips came out 1 hour after I had finished. Ok all was eaten: family have left the table BECAUSE they were constantly reminded about this 30 ppl. And my sister and mother (94) sat there waiting to be asked if they would like coffee or dessert. NOTHING I repeat NOTHING not 1 person came up to ask if they would like something...