Azurea - Banyule

I've been dining here for many years with friends and family and we're usually so busy catching up that we’ve taken the surroundings for granted. I haven’t been... read more I've been dining here for many years with friends and family and we're usually so busy catching up that we’ve taken the surroundings for granted. I haven’t been here for eight months, but two weeks ago I invited a friend from interstate and saw the café through her eyes… and was embarrassed and shocked at what I can only describe as a place that has let itself go.We sat in the room to the back where there are loose threads along the join of the carpet which is so badly stained it should be replaced; even a good clean wouldn’t restore its original condition.The flock wallpaper seems to have a piece missing and someone has randomly stuck a sticker right in the middle of the wall. The sticker may be difficult to remove, but surely removing the wallpaper altogether is preferable to leaving the one that’s been defaced.We sat beside the window and noticed on the window frames pencil marks that appeared to be related to the installation of the windows; they’ve obviously been there since the café was built! Have the frames ever been wiped?The laminex table tops are chipped and gouged and our table did not sit evenly on the carpet.Worst of all was the condition of the flimsy, single-page menus - stained, creased and making a very poor first impression. It’s neither difficult nor expensive to laminate a sheet of paper. Spelling mistakes also show lack of attention to detail. We both enjoyed our lunch, but if so little care is being taken with the presentation of the restaurant itself, it makes you wonder about the state of the kitchen!I’m giving one star for the price of the food and prompt service and another because they always let us split the bill, regardless of the number in the group.Sadly, after many years’ patronage, even the $10 lunch special won’t entice me to return.

I will NEVER return to this restaurant...The service is ordinary at best. Took 20 minutes to get drinks and there was only 2 other tables occupied in the whole... read more I will NEVER return to this restaurant...The service is ordinary at best. Took 20 minutes to get drinks and there was only 2 other tables occupied in the whole place.Ordered a steak which was really over cooked, so tough and chewy. I had about three mouthfuls until I cut into the steak, and what looked like a PUSS FILLED CYST OOZED from the centre of the steak. We called the waitress over and explain what happened, and that I was put off by my food and couldn't eat it. She called the manager over who proceeded to argue with me and tell me it was garlic from the sauce. I explained it came from in the CENTRE of the steak. It wasn't the sauce, because when I cut the steak and saw the puss I pushed on the steak and it oozed out!!We went to leave and the manager came out and continued to argue that it was cheese (even though there was no cheese in the dish), and wanted us to pay for it!!I flat out refused to pay for any part of the steak!! And refused to be bullied by that horrid man.The fact that this nasty manager made my partner cry, from his horrible manner and his despicable handling of this situation, we will NEVER return and will warn everyone about going near this place!! AVOID AVOID AVOID!!

I used to eat here twice a week while I was a student at RMIT. I still travel just to eat dinner there. Great food! read more I used to eat here twice a week while I was a student at RMIT. I still travel just to eat dinner there. Great food!

I have been dining with friends and family at this restaurant for many years, but after not visiting for eight months, I recently took a friend from out of town... read more I have been dining with friends and family at this restaurant for many years, but after not visiting for eight months, I recently took a friend from out of town. Seeing the cafe through her eyes was embarrassing and shocking. The back room had loose threads on the carpet, faded colors, missing wallpaper, and random stickers. The window frame had pencil marks from installation and the table tops were chipped. The menus were flimsy and dirty, giving a bad first impression. Despite enjoying our lunch, the lack of attention to detail in the restaurant's presentation made us question the kitchen's cleanliness. I give two stars for the affordable prices and prompt service, but after many years of patronage, I am hesitant to return.

I used to eat at this restaurant twice a week when I was a student at RMIT, and I still go there to eat because the food is great! read more I used to eat at this restaurant twice a week when I was a student at RMIT, and I still go there to eat because the food is great!