Athelstane House

Overall 8 - Food 9, Ambience 7, Value 7, Service 9

We had 16 people for dinner on Sunday of a 2 day stay and were absolutely delighted with the menu, presentation, quality of produce and the flavours. Wine was matched with each dish by the glass. We had only two in the group that complained about the portion size but really there was ample. The staff were not only delightful but efficient and professional. We had an exceptional dinning experience and can recommend it highly.   (John Daymond - March, 2010)

Overall 2.8 - Food 2, Ambience 5, Value 1, Service 3

Having been excited about lunch at Athelstane, we were left very disappointed. We live on the West side of the city and rather than go to a city restaurant, we decided the drive down to Queenscliff would be nice for a Sunday - but really, it wasn't worth it. Although the food was good quality and tasty, the portion side was just ridiculously small. My husbands broth was all of two tablespoons, and the lamb curry was just as tiny. I had to give my husband my very small portion of rice for fear of him fainting from hunger! Out of principle, we didn't go for a dessert as couldn't face being disappointed again. Whilst I appreciate quality food, I do expect to have a decent portion size and to not have to go to a bakery after lunch to by a sandwich! There was no acknowledgment in the service and it certainly didn't represent the quality you would expect from a chef's hat.   (February, 2010)

Overall 8.3 - Food 8, Ambience 8, Value 7, Service 10

Excellent food! Good value wines by the glass. Service was great.   (January, 2010)

Overall 1.5 - Food 2, Ambience 1, Value 2, Service 1

I had very high hopes when visiting Athelstane House, after reading good reviews and being aware it was awarded a hat in the Age Good Food Guide, but was utterly disappointed at the quality of food and service.

We went for some breakfast on a Sunday morning. We were the only ones in there at the time. The interior was very drab. Old rugs on the floor, plain tables, average glasses/cutlery. I wouldn’t say the person responsible for the décor paid much attention to detail.

We ordered coffees and they came out quite promptly. We had asked for them to be extra hot. They were not. Luke warm in fact. I did not send them back, thought we would let this slide. Maybe the waitress didn’t hear our request for extra hot coffees? Our empty coffee cups then stayed on the table for the duration of our meal and as we stood to go and pay the bill they were still there on the table. This is terrible. The table was not massive to begin with and then we had to have the cups taking up space on the table the entire meal. No chance to have looked at the paper with all of the unnecessary cups on the table. Also a point of note is that we were bought no water at all nor were we offered any. These days water is brought almost immediately or you are promptly asked if you would like some.

The meals came out not long after the coffees but with some problems as well. The other two people I was dining with both had bacon with their breakfast and it was burnt. I had mushrooms on toast and asked for a side order of eggs. I received with my mushrooms and eggs a piece of toast the size of a post it note. I had about two mouthfuls of mushrooms and eggs with toast and the rest just on its own which to be honest became a little sickening after a while. You need enough toast for all of the mushrooms; otherwise they should list it on the menu as plain mushrooms.

On asking for the bill at the counter, we discovered that we had been charged for an extra coffee. On reading down the receipt further I also discovered that I was charged $8 for a side of eggs with my mushrooms on toast. $8!! Absolute rip off! I disputed the charges and received some of the money back but not all. There was no apology for the errors on our bill or for the cold coffees and messy table. The first sentence our waitress could string together was "I actually didn't put your bill through". How is that a valid excuse? The waitress should not be passing the blame for the incorrect bill to another one of her peers. It should be a team effort and she should have apologized immediately on behalf of Athelstane House in hope that she might mend the already very tarnished view I, and my guests have, of Athelstane House.

This is not one hat service or food. Not worthy of that title at all.

We will not be returning.   (pozzy - October, 2009)

Overall 6.8 - Food 8, Ambience 8, Value 2, Service 9

The food was delicious (as per usual) but we were truly shocked by the miniscule size of some of the main courses. The duck dish contained 1 very small cannelloni type tube filled with some duck flesh and one incredibly small portion of duck breast with a tiny accompaniment and yet was $39. The fish dish was also on the small side but was at least close to 'main course" proportions. Flavours of all entrees and desserts was excellent but sizes and prices seem a little out of kilter and have changed markedly since our last visit of 12 months ago.   (val - January, 2009)

Overall 9.3 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 10

Great Wine List. The best outside Melbourne.   (March, 2008)