The Deck Busselton — Restaurant in Western Australia

New Years Eve, 2024.

A litany of woe…

My mother in law made the original booking for 7 people several weeks ago and conversation with The Deck, when this was made, noted the kitchen was closing at 8pm for NYE. No problem, we will book the table for 7pm. When our booking changed to 5 people earlier this week, my mother in law rang to advise the change, and, no booking, however The Deck said they could still fit us in.

Probably should have taken that as an omen of things to come!

Well, we got there tonight, surprise, no booking. Kudos to The Deck, they still managed to fit us, on what is their busiest night of the year.

Main orders were taken, and in no time at all, the crispy skin Cone Bay barramundi was on the table for my wife and mother in law, my steak and my daughter’s fish and chips. My father in law ordered a simple seniors meal of chicken tenders.

My steak was great, the fish and chips fine, the barramundi was not cooked through. Pretty sure we didn’t order shashimi! No seniors meal…. Sent the barramundi back to kitchen, which came back out about 10minutes later, cooked perfectly.

Still no seniors meal.

Asked the poor waitresses, who were run off their feet, several times, always to be told the seniors meal was coming.

In the end my father in law canceled his meal, as we had all eaten. It was over an hour and the kitchen was unable to prepare a simple seniors meal.

Now, I appreciate this is their busiest night of the year, but when a commercial kitchen can not organise themselves sufficiently to ensure all meals come out promptly, correct and cooked, then all your doing is putting your floor staff under pressure and throwing away two relatively expensive pieces of fish, not to mention the time taken to prepare. Waste of time and resources. As a professional kitchen with trained chefs and commercial cooks, this is what your paid to do. No excuses.

The barramundi when finally received it was cooked perfectly and a lovely meal. My steak and the fish and chips, were great. I’m not questioning their ability to cook, just the kitchen’s ability to deliver a complete table order on time.

Whilst the floor staff apologised profusely and offered us some complimentary drinks and dessert, we politely refused. We also asked they remove the seniors meal the bill, which they did. That was appreciated.

We didn’t expect fine dining, we know we were going to a suburban pub for a nice dinner out. Our expectations were set appropriately and we knew there could be a delay as it’s NYE and the quality of food didn’t disappoint. Our disappointment is the professionalism of the service from the kitchen.

It’s a lovely pub with a fantastic setting and a great outlook.

The damage however, has been done. For a family that has been regularly coming to The Deck for the last 5 years, we shall not return for dinner, not when there are so many other similar dining options in Busselton.

We appreciate its NYE, but you knew the numbers you were expecting and your kitchen team should have been suitably enabled to cope and meet the demand and...

Righto, cobbers, if you’re after a feed with a view that’ll blow ya thongs off, The Deck is the bloody spot. Deadset, soon as you park your arse, you’re treated to primo waterfront views, and I’m not talkin’ about just any old water—this is blue as your nan’s rinse and smoother than a schooner sliding down on a stinkin’ hot day. And the dolphins? Crikey, these legends are doin’ backflips like they’re on Centrelink time. They’re the real MVPs, puttin’ on a show that’d make your bogan heart sing. It’s like a bloody nature doco, but you’re smack bang in the middle of it with a cold beer in hand.

Now, the chicken parmy here? Struth, it’s an absolute weapon. We’re talkin’ about a slab of chook so perfectly crumbed you’d think it was breaded by angels—or maybe just Sheila in the back who knows her way around a deep fryer. They slap on some top-shelf marinara, lashings of melty cheese, and mate, it’s hotter than a ute’s bonnet in the middle of January. Comes with a side of chips that are crunchier than your old man’s footy socks and a salad that’ll remind ya you’ve still got some dignity left. It’s the kinda meal that makes ya wanna loosen the belt, kick back, and have a good old yarn.

Oh, and if you’re pullin’ up in a boat? Too easy. They’ve got boat parking sweeter than a pie at the servo. Doesn’t matter if you’re rollin’ in on a tinny that’s seen better days or a rig that’s flashier than Bazza’s new ute, you’re welcome here. Just tie up, wander in, and let the good times roll. No stress, no drama, just a solid arvo with top grub and dolphins that look like they’re havin’ a better time than you.

Reckon Santa might’ve ditched the North Pole for this joint, too. Fair dinkum, I swear I saw the big fella downing a schooner and havin’ a chinwag with the locals. Forget cookies and milk—he’s more about parmys and pints now. So, if you’re keen for a no-nonsense feed, a laugh, and a bit of dolphin magic, The Deck is the place to be. It’s as Aussie as chuckin’ a sickie after the Melbourne Cup, and you’ll be back quicker than you can say, “Oi, pass us another...

Review: The Deck Busselton – 3 out of 5 Stars

The Deck Busselton offers a modern yet minimalist take on dining by the waterfront. While the venue presents itself with a clean and contemporary style, it stops short of delivering a memorable or immersive experience. The decor and ambiance are basic, aiming more for functional comfort than character or flair.

The restaurant features a Western-style menu, and while a new version has recently been introduced, it remains quite limited in variety and creativity. Diners seeking a broader range of culinary inspiration or dietary options may find the selection underwhelming. Each dish seems to lean towards the safe and familiar, lacking the boldness or originality that might elevate the experience.

One surprising aspect of the night was the volume inside the venue. Despite having only a handful of diners, the noise levels were unexpectedly high, making relaxed conversation difficult. It detracted from the calm dining experience one might expect on a quiet evening.

On a positive note, the staff were a highlight. Each team member was well presented, attentive, competent, and helpful, showing good preparation and professionalism throughout the evening. Their service contributed significantly to the overall experience.

In conclusion, while nothing about The Deck was unpleasant, nothing truly stood out either. It’s a passable option for a casual bite with reliable service, but if you’re looking for something that impresses or excites, you may want to...