This is not the first time we’ve been here - our previous visit for a birthday celebration was amazing and we were very keen to return.
This time was to celebrate our wedding anniversary - booking online we asked to be seated in the balcony if available. This was ignored, even though there were plenty of free tables on the balcony and being a Monday night it wasn’t particularly busy. When we asked about it afterwards, we were dismissed with “it was wet today” even though there are blinds protecting the area and the rain had cleared by lunchtime, plus other people were sitting out there.
The food was as delicious as we remembered, and their ability to cater for gluten free outstanding.
The lady who served us was lovely…when she was waiting on us. However the general service was appalling this time around. We waited close to 15 minutes before we were even given a menu. Throughout the evening we witnessed other tables being looked after very well, being served before us, finished their meal before us even though they came in much later than our booking. Our waitress was topping up other tables’ water then not even checking our glasses. Our meals sat on the middle serving table waiting to be dished up for long enough for them to be lukewarm, and our dessert ice cream melting. At the end of our meal we didn’t get any hot towels (every other table we watched did). Overall we felt very invisible and ignored.
The table behind us had 4 businessmen who had had far too much to drink, being very loud with extremely inappropriate language - swearing their heads off. Saying quite inappropriate derogatory comments.
At the end of our meal (that took 2 hours and 40 minutes to get through because of the lack of service), Simon (we assume the manager) brought over the eftpos machine and almost insisted we give a tip (in Australia a tip is not customary). When we said not today, he appeared annoyed and when we mentioned the behaviour of the table behind us, he was very dismissive and didn’t seem to care.
Overall, not a great experience this time and disappointing given our previous experience.
We dined in at crinitis southbank yesterday for lunch. I was there with my friends and the manager Adi was superb. We were seated as soon as we arrived and the thing that impressed me the most was the way he asked us about the dietary requirements. As someone who is coeliac it felt so good to be taken care of. The food arrived quickly and tasted delicious. Overall, the staff is wonderful and will definitely be booking for future family events.
The restaurant looks beautiful but the menu is overpriced and without proper gluten free options. Even our local pizza place has a GF option. Too expensive to not adapt.
Not sure where to begin with this review.
Location excellent & decor wise, it is stylish and cool.
Our table was one in the centre which is never pleasant with so many patrons and wait staff constantly passing by. This is certainly not a venue you can hear yourself in.
Our waitress talking at a million miles an hour in a heavy accent that none of us understood.
Food that was brought out all over the place. 4 tapas arrived, 5th tapas shortly before main meal. 3 got their steaks-placed in the wrong order of medium/well done and 2 with the chicken that arrived a good 10 minutes after.
The food is “fine dining priced”with bistro quality. I felt it was overpriced for the presentation and size. Steaks arrive pre cut plonked in an oblong dish-not a single garnish. Vegetables/salad and potatoes all a hefty price extra. The bread was delicious as was the chicken.
The name should be changed to ASA-NO.
Can we sit over there? -NO
Can I have my steak rare-NO (we don’t do rare)
Can I have this cocktail-NO (we’re out of rum)
May we please have any other condiment other than chimichurri-NO
What about a little bbq sauce or any other sauce-NO (I get it’s Argentinian, but give patrons a little variety)
Is the steak gluten free-NO (bread is grilled on it)
Is it possible to have this dessert with that hot fudge on the other dessert-NO.
Cost for 5 people: $730
Will I be returning? NO
Gluten burger buns and pizza base available. Although they can't state that it is gluten free as there is pizza flour in the air due to the constant demand for their fantastic food. Well done folks. Well done!
Delicious, fresh food. Great vegetarian + gluten free options. Super friendly staff. The crispy eggplant was unique and unlike anything i've had before - the top layer is like pork crackle and the middle soft and juicy, as well as being sweet and savoury. The miso cauliflower was the star dish for us though. 'The pearl' cocktail was absolutely delicious, sweet lychee like taste and super fresh! Sad that they no longer do the mushroom dumplings as we had read good reviews about it.
A 6-Star Dining Experience at Rockpool Melbourne
During my recent visit to Melbourne, I finally had the pleasure of enjoying a business dinner at Rockpool, and what a delightful experience it was! In an era when the term "5-star service" has become diluted across many establishments globally, I can confidently say that Rockpool provided **6-star service**.
Myself and two colleagues arrived as walk-ins over the New Year period and were first directed to the beautiful bar lounge to wait for our table. From the moment we walked in, the service was exceptional. We were treated with the kind of care and attention that I expect from top-tier dining establishments.
Throughout the evening, we sampled a range of wines, cocktails, and dishes, with special dietary needs being perfectly accommodated. One of us follows a vegan diet, another is gluten-free (celiac), and I, well, am a “normal” eater! Every dish was prepared to perfection, and all staff were well-informed about who we were, what we were eating, and drinking. It felt as though they anticipated our needs before we even voiced them—a level of attention to detail that is rare to find.
The food itself completely exceeded my expectations. Every course was a revelation, and the experience has now set a new benchmark for me. It’s hard to imagine any other meal surpassing this one. A huge round of applause to both the kitchen staff and the front-of-house team for such a flawless execution.
We were so impressed that we returned later in the week for a second visit, and once again, the service and food were impeccable from start to finish.
To the management and staff at Rockpool: your passion and commitment to your craft are clearly evident. It's not often you come across a team that has such a genuine long-term investment in delivering excellence.
Was it expensive? That depends on what you’re accustomed to. For me, the experience was worth every dollar. Our first visit was approximately **$1450**, and our second visit came to around **$750**. While it may seem expensive to some, if you’re someone who appreciates the finer things in life, the value is undeniable.
Thank You.
Let me tell you…
As always Sundays we love to eat out with our lovely grandchildren, the boys love pizza, we tried different restaurants in Southbank searching for gluten free meals, luckily for me we came to this bistro where they cater for coeliacs, the Margherita pizza was quite bland, however the chorizo pizza was delicious. We also had a cocktail and some great snacks. Thank you for the delicious food!!
Had a great experience this afternoon at Yarra Botanica! My Mum, brother and I all have a lot of dietary requirements and they were super accommodating with gluten friendly, dairy free / vegan options. Staff were all super lovely and the atmosphere was great. Will definitely be back!
Don't dine here if you are a coeliac. We called before booking and was assured it was fine to eat here and I was violently sick after attending the buffet breakfast. The chef walked me around and showed me what I could eat and only ate what I was told (and didn't consume much).
I have contacted Crown 3 times with no response which is extremely poor to say that least considering how much money we spent to stay there as a family and to have our day there ruined!!
The service at this restaurant is exceptional, with friendly and attentive staff who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant dining experience. The menu features a variety of delicious dishes that are reasonably priced, making it an excellent value for the quality offered. Additionally, there are gluten-free options available, catering to those with dietary restrictions without compromising on taste. The portions are quite generous, ensuring that diners leave satisfied and with full stomachs. Overall, it’s a great spot for anyone looking for a fulfilling meal in a welcoming atmosphere.
Spice Temple is a culinary gem that elevates Chinese cuisine to new heights. With its serene ambiance, it’s the perfect setting for a special occasion. The menu showcases innovative and flavorful dishes that redefine traditional Chinese flavors. Gluten-free options abound, making it accessible to all diners. For a standout protein, I highly recommend the tender and succulent lamb backstrap. If you’re seeking a truly exceptional dining experience, Spice Temple is a must-visit.
Loved the Altitude Dining Experience! Our waitress Rebecca was fantastic, food was amazing (and gluten free - win!) and views on views. Would absolutely come back.
Celiac friendly
